Will Kate Middleton Fly To China After All? New Guidelines Reveal Women Safe To Fly Until 37 Weeks Pregnant

Most airlines don’t allow pregnant women to travel after their 36th week of pregnancy (or 32nd week if you’re expecting a multiple birth) but new expert guidelines have revealed that it is in fact safe for mums-to-be to travel on planes until they are 37 weeks pregnant.

After this, it’s advised that they don’t take any flights because they could go into labour at any point.

The advice, shared by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), confirms that catching a flight isn’t harmful to either women or their unborn babies when the pregnancy isn’t complicated.  

The Duchess of Cambridge opted to avoid flying in her third trimester while pregnant with Prince George and it seems like she will do the same with her second pregnancy.

Kate, who’s due to give birth in April, has opted out of a state visit to China next month as she’ll be around eight months pregnant. But judging by these new guidelines it could mean that she’s actually OK to fly.  

Although considering she’s carrying the fourth in line to the throne in her belly and has a toddler at home, we doubt she’ll change her plans and jet off with Wills. And a flight to China takes at least 10 hours.

Despite the new guidelines, RCOG experts stress the importance of moving around whenever possible while on board, to limit the risk of blood clots – particularly if you’re on a long-haul flight.

There is a bigger risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) when travelling on a plane for longer than five hours – although the NHS does say that it’s “not clear if the risk is higher if you’re pregnant.”

As well as going for strolls around the plane, the guidelines suggest a few other ways that pregnant women can stay safe on flight, including:

-    Wearing loose clothing and comfortable shoes – which, let's be honest, is the usual travel outfit for anyone who isn’t Kim Kardashian
-    Try to get an aisle seat
-    Do in-seat exercises every 30 minutes or so, which your airline can advise on
-    Drink water regularly – rather than caffeinated drinks
-    Wear compression stockings. Your midwife or GP should be able to tell you which size to wear before you travel.

Did you or your partner fly while heavily pregnant? Let us know in the comments below.

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