Are you pregnant?
That made our friend’s eyes grow wide that she didn’t immediately know what to say. She was torn between answering the question matter of factly or if she would take that as an insult and reprimand the check-in agent. She is definitely single. And, that question just highlighted that the she is on the plus side. Yeah yeah, her sizes play between 2 and 3 letters, not one! But our dear prim and definitely proper lady opted to just smile and say no. No incident, whatsoever hehe!
But let’s take that topic and airline travel.
First, don’t be offended if it looks like the check-in agent is innocently asking you such a question. Sorry nalang you look like you are buntis! They need to know as there are airline rules on pregnancy – which we should all take seriously. But let’s touch on those later. For now let’s dwell on how proper or improper it is to ask that question…If you were a female septuagenarian or a cross-dressing badingerze, no problem there, right?! Am sure you would beam in self-confidence and your eyelashes will flick and flit faster by having been asked that question. Napagkamalan ka, yehey! Even if in fact you have not already seen a sanitary napkin for the last two decades! Whoah, mukhang bata! Or even if in fact wala ka namann talagang matris. Whoah pa rin, mukhang tunay!
But if you were a real woman in her prime, and single, and you get asked that question, don’t be offended. Just laugh it off like our friend did and later think deep inside you if you want to do something about your size or not. That is if you want to think about it anyway. Some women don’t really care. Being wider than the normal or average woman their age is actually a sign of progress, even wealth… so they’re happy as a queen bee can be!
Second, and this are now the airline concerns… if airline staff asked you if you were pregnant, be thankful for that means they know and are observing the procedures on airline safety. Why is that?
Well, if you were pregnant… you may need extra care and assistance anywhere from the check-in counters all the way to your flight and into arrival at your destination. THAT is the only concern that the airline wants to address. Example? Some pregnant women, especially those on the big side who have other ailments cannot do long walks or climb stairs. Imagine going up to pre-departure at the Naga airport in Camarines Sur. I know they have no escalators nor elevators there. How about gate 8 of MCIA. There are many other examples, but the basic thing is, even if you can be allowed on a flight in your preggy condition, they may have to do other things for your safety, comfort and convenience. Like? Providing wheelchairs or making you pass through other easier passages not commonly used by regular passengers. Ganun!
The point I would like to drive though is: decide on your own if you should fly or not when pregnant. Don’t wait for the airline to discover and apprehend you. It is only your personal safety, comfort and convenience they are after anyway (while at the airport or inside the airplane. Its not that they love you that much. Specifically, its more of avoiding the hassle they'll have to contend with in case something happens to you, that they are more concerned with. So know if you yourself are unnecessarily endangering your very own body since its only you who can love yourself most.
Here are some things to consider…
Aircrew are not doctors, nurses, not even midwives. Thus, if by chance you go into labor and eventual giving birth mid-air, good luck. Don’t be all too excited with those mothers who have given birth during a flight. They probably were just lucky. I'm telling you now, you are not!
Most airlines will accept a pregnant woman even up to 8 months but not on the 9th or 7th especially if you have had a previous premature delivery. Note that even if you’re on your 8th month but scheduled to come back by the 9th month, it will also be a no go!
There is a thing doctors call DVT (some blood clots in the legs or that area). If you have or had that and you’re pregnant, one doctor-friend says it is very dangerous to fly as it could lead to death - not ours, yours! Something to do with blood circulation and those things.
Air is thinner inside an airplane than the normal air we breathe on ground. Especially for pregnant women, that could also lead to blood clotting, slow blood circulation and even R.I.P. - as in sumalangit nawa ang iyong kaluluwa!
The first trimester of your pregnancy (whatever that means) is just as dangerous, so you may not be allowed to board a flight. I think it means the first 3 months? Yeah yeah, I’ve heard women even being asked to take a leave from the office during those periods, so why take a flight?
A doctor’s certificate can, of course, still get you through, even if its your 7th or 9th month. But who are you fooling? Airline people will probably just make the sign of the cross if anything fatal happened to you due to complications. Well yes, they might do the necessary as to cover your dead body with a blanket (if there is) and probably prop you on a seat as if you were still sitting alive, and probably ask other passengers who don't like sitting beside a dead woman to transfer to other seats, etc. Then the airline would probably go through the hassle of being investigated by the authorities why they let you take that flight, and probably pay some hefty fines. But after that, everyone returns to their jolly old selves. Merese ka on your way to the morgue and purgatory! Say hi to St. Peter for us! That is if you ever would go that way anyway!
Its that serious, so take heed buntis!
nice to know. thank you for this.
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