Because air turbulence cannot be predicted and the risk for trauma is significant, pregnant women should be instructed to continuously use their seat belts while seated, as should all air travelers.
Pregnant air travelers may take precautions to ease in-flight discomfort, and although no hard evidence exists, preventive measures can be employed to minimize risks (ACOG, 2002). Pregnancy also predisposes to a risk of superficial and deep venous thrombosis due to alterations in clotting factors and pressure of expanding uterus (Anderson, 2001)