Is it safe to fly in your third trimester, like Khloe Kardashian?

After years in the celebrity spotlight, Khloe Kardashian has experienced her fair share of online criticism, but now that she’s pregnant, poor Khloe is experiencing a special kind of negativity. Her baby’s not even here yet and she’s already the subject of mom-shaming.

Kardashian is due this month, and before she settles into #momlife with boyfriend Tristan Thompson she’s making sure she takes some time for herself. She recently traveled to Japan for a trip with her sisters, Kim and Kourtney.

Internet commenters were not kind, with many suggesting the mama-to-be should be staying off airplanes for her baby’s sake. As Kardashian said on Twitter, people are very opinionated about her bump.

People are very opinionated about my bump. I choose to cradle my bump because it’s MINE. I’ve waited for this VERY short moment for YEARS. I have only months to enjoy this phase in my life, so I will touch my bump and love my bump as often as I choose. Mommy loves you baby! ❤️

— Khloé (@khloekardashian) February 28, 2018

Kardashian wasn’t the only one to clap back at those shaming her for flying while pregnant.

As one Twitter user pointed out, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) , flying, even in your third trimester is generally safe.

According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, flying in your third trimester is perfectly safe. But air travel is not recommended after 36 wks. Khloe is 30wks along. If her DOC gave her an OK for flying, then she has every right to do so. Let her enjoy 😊

— Cerrieanne Ellio (@CerriePeace) February 27, 2018

Indeed, the ACOG’s statement on the subject reads, in part: “ In the absence of obstetric or medical complications, pregnant women can observe the same precautions for air travel as the general population and can fly safely.”

If you’re currently expecting and having a healthy, uncomplicated pregnancy, flying is not off the table, according to the ACOG.

“Most commercial airlines allow pregnant women to fly up to 36 weeks of gestation. Some restrict pregnant women from international flights earlier in gestation and some require documentation of gestational age. For specific airline requirements, women should check with the individual carrier,” it states.

Twitter users seemed particularly upset that Kardashian was flying internationally so late in her pregnancy, but the risks associated with long flights (lower extremity edema and venous thrombotic events) aren’t just for pregnant women, but for all air travelers.

The ACOG says, “Despite the lack of evidence of such events during pregnancy, certain preventive measures can be used to minimize these risks, e.g., use of support stockings and periodic movement of the lower extremities, avoidance of restrictive clothing, occasional ambulation, and maintenance of adequate hydration.”

We highly doubt Kardashian was rocking support stockings on her way to Japan, but she was most likely on a private plane or at least some kind of first-class situation, so she probably had a chance to stretch her legs and walk around during the flight.

You may not be flying Kardashian style, but if you’re pregnant and want to enjoy one last trip with your girls, here’s what you need to know before booking your flight:

Different airlines have different policies on when pregnant women can fly and what boxes need to be checked first.

For example, American Airlines is cool with it until you’re within four weeks of your due date. Then, you need to provide a doctor’s certificate stating you’re good to fly, and if you need to fly within seven days of your due date (before and after) you need physician approval and help from one of the airline’s special assistance coordinators, who will send the forms to your doctor.

Delta, on the other hand, doesn’t require a doctor’s note and just recommends mamas-to-be check with their doc if they’re more than eight months pregnant, and Southwest just says customers “at any stage of pregnancy should consult with their physicians prior to air travel.”

Yes, a pregnant woman could potentially go into labor on a flight, but she could also potentially go into labor anywhere, doing anything else.

Discussion about what a pregnant woman should and shouldn’t do are best had between her and her doctor, not by third parties on social media. Khloe Kardashian likey weighed the decision to travel very carefully, and shaming her online isn’t a constructive way for fans to show concern for her wellbeing.

As Khloe said, her bump is her bump, not Twitter’s or Instagram’s.

You might also like:

• Khloe Kardashian plans to eat her placenta—here’s what she (and you!) need to know
• Khloe Kardashian’s tweets about pregnancy are SO relatable
• Khloe Kardashian made a big change to her diet for pregnancy

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