Are you an expectant mother and planning air travel?
Not aware of the "Fit to Fly" written consent from a doctor prior
traveling? This is an easily confusable subject since each and every
airline has a unique set of protocols and limitations when it comes
to air travel while being pregnant.
For example, if an airline staff questioned you if you
were pregnant, dont get offended, instead be grateful, for it means that they
are practicing procedures in line with airline industry safety standards.
Why? Because pregnant passengers require additional care and attention anywhere
from the airline check-in counters through immigration, customs and up to the
flight and into arrival at the intended destination airport. This is the only
concern that the airline carriers are trying to address.
Certain pregnant passengers, those with other ailments
cannot walk long distances or climb stairs-cases. Just imagine getting to gate
D1 or D2 at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok. There can be many more examples, but
even if a pregnant passenger is allowed on a flight in her condition, they may
have to be prepared for her safety, comfort and convenience. Like what?
Providing her wheelchairs or helping her pass through other unchallenging passages
not commonly used by ordinary passengers, and even preparing the nurses
station at the destination airport.
During pregnancy its common to experience Deep Venous
Thrombosis (DVT), the development of a blood clot in a deep vein and up to 80
percent of DVTs occur in the left leg. Now note that the air is thinner inside
the plane than the normal air we breathe on ground. Especially for pregnant
women, it could also lead to blood clotting, slow blood circulation and even
far worse conditions.
The point I am trying to make is: Dont wait until
the airline staff finds out and apprehend you. It is only for your
personal safety, comfort and convenience that they are after, while youre at
the airport or even on-board the aircraft. Its not because they love
you, they are trying to avoid the hassle theyll have to run into in case
something happens to you, that they are more concerned with. Having to divert a
plane due to someone going into labor in midair is huge. You should also keep
in mind that cabin crews are not doctors, nurses, and not even
midwives. By any chance if you get to go into labor in mid-air, good luck.
Dont be too excited with those moms who have given birth in mid-air, they
probably were just very lucky.
You may be surprised to know these pregnancy travel
regulations differ from airline to airline, one carrier may casually
note the number of months you have been pregnant then allow you to fly, while
the other maybe specific as to the number of weeks, your last pregnancy experiences,
if any, considering many other factors that you should be prepared with a
doctors "Fit to Fly" certificate.
This certificate can certainly get you flying even through
your ninth month. But Is it Worth it? Well, the crew will probably do the
necessary as to cover your lifeless body with a blanket and prop you on a seat
as if you were still sitting alive, and ask other passengers who dont like
sitting beside a corpse to move to other vacant seats, etc. Next, the
airline will go through the trouble of being investigated and accountable by
the authorities why they allowed you to fly, end up paying some hefty fines.
That is if you ever would go that way anyway!
I have gathered regulations with regard to flying while
pregnant from three major airline carriers that operate into the Maldives.
SriLankan
Airlines
Before
bookings flights with SriLankan Airlines, please consider the following rules:
Expectant mothers need to produce a "Fit to Fly" written
consent from a doctor confirming the expected date of delivery and the
passenger may be accepted for transportation with the authority of the airline,
along with a filled and signed MEDA form.
For uncomplicated pregnancies it is not permitted to travel
beyond the following dates:
For single pregnancies, it is not permitted to travel after
the end of the 34th week
For multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets, etc.) it is not
permitted to travel after the end of the 32nd week
Air India
Before
bookings flights with Air India expectant mothers need to keep in mind the
following rules:
Expectant mothers need to carry a "Fit to Fly" written
consent from a doctor confirming the expected date of delivery.
For uncomplicated pregnancies it is not permitted to travel
beyond the following dates:
For single pregnancies, it is not permitted to travel after
the end of the 32nd week
For multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets, etc.) it is not
permitted to travel after the end of the 32nd week
In case of the pregnancy beyond 35 weeks, passenger may be
accepted for transportation only on urgent or compassionate grounds, with the
authority of the Executive Director Medical Services, after filling the MEDIF
form.
Emirates
Before
bookings flights with Emirates expectant mothers need to keep in mind the following
rules:
Expectant mothers need to carry a "Fit to Fly" written
consent from a doctor confirming the expected date of delivery.
For uncomplicated pregnancies it is not permitted to travel
beyond the following dates:
For single pregnancies, it is not permitted to travel after
the end of the 29th week, unless a medical certificate or letter signed by
an appropriately qualified doctor or midwife is required, stating:
– the confirmation of a singleton or multiple pregnancy
– the pregnancy is progressing without complications
– the estimated date of delivery
– the date up to which you are expected to be fit to travel
– that you are in good health
– that there is no reason known to them that would prevent you from flying
For multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets, etc.) it is not
permitted to travel after the end of the 32nd week
In case of the pregnancy beyond 36 weeks, may be accepted
for transportation after prior clearance is granted by the Emirates
medical department. A medical information form (MEDIF) will need to be
submitted for clearance purposes.
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