Flying with a head cold- any tips?

I have this fun head cold- plugged ears, plugged sinuses, a bit of a headache. In 2 days, I'm flying 4 hrs to do a road trip with my sister that we've been planning for months. I'm totally psyched, but nervous about flying in this state.

I'll be 16 weeks the day that I fly out, my feet already swell a little bit if I don't keep them elevated and walk around a bit at work. I also had an amniocentsis last week and forgot to ask when I booked it and went in for it if it was OK to fly so soon afterwards - it didn't even occur to me!

Any advice from anyone? Stuff to do to relieve ear pressure when flying, stuff to keep my feet from swelling, anyone done an amnio and know anything about flying after? (i've got a call in to my dr. to check, but if anyone knows... )

Thanks!

I wish I had some advice but I'm not really sure about how safe flying is after an amnio.

My only advice would be to call your doctor and ask all the questions you need to. Better safe than sorry!

So finally got through to my genetics counsellor, who told me to call the ultrasound clinic, who put me through to a doctor, who said it should be fine.

(and, after an amnio the most critical period is 48 hrs after, which I passed with flying colours, and every day that passes without problems the risk drops and by 2 weeks you're considered cleared of any risk. So looks good so far!)

I'm still wondering to any frequent flyers (I never fly- like, ever) if there is anything I can do re: swelling feet, and problems w/ air-pressure changes. Does anyone know? Help!

I flew in April with a sinus infection/head cold and it was awful. Definetley take something for it atleast 30 minutes before you get on the plane.
On both take off and landing I had what felt like pin pricks and shard pains all throughout my sinuses. Take a tylenol. And chewing gum on take off and landing does help with ear pressure.

I was only a few weeks at the time so I don't know about swelling or anything like that.

Thanks Kimchi. Gum & tylenol. Should I take a sinus tablet? Do you know if that's OK when you're pregnant? Although, sinus tablet with tylenol may not be the best idea.

Quoting Astraia:“ Thanks Kimchi. Gum & tylenol. Should I take a sinus tablet? Do you know if that's OK when you're pregnant? Although, sinus tablet with tylenol may not be the best idea.”

I took tylenol cold, which I don't think you are supposed to take, but then again I didn't know much of anything at the time.

I was out of it on the way home though and took benadryl it worked just about as well!

Quoting Kimchi:“ I took tylenol cold, which I don't think you are supposed to take, but then again I didn't know much ... [snip!] ... know much of anything at the time. I was out of it on the way home though and took benadryl it worked just about as well!”

Bendaryl is fine while pregnant. My dr tells me to take it know for my allergies.

Are you taking a private plane or a commercial jet? commercial jets are pressurized... there for will have no effect on your ears .... but if your taking a private plane i suggest bubble gum the constant chewing and swallowing keeps your ears from popping and hurting.

I flew before - once to the west coast and then back again- when I was 17 and had huge issues with my ears popping on a commercial jet. They're pressurized, but not enough or something. Or maybe it was just that flight   We'll see! I'll bring gum for sure at least.

Quoting Astraia:“ I have this fun head cold- plugged ears, plugged sinuses, a bit of a headache. In 2 days, I'm flying ... [snip!] ... done an amnio and know anything about flying after? (i've got a call in to my dr. to check, but if anyone knows... ) Thanks!”

Hey there! Long time no see...
I have too have a head cold and my ears are anoyingly plugged and now I'm getting a cough. But, friday I just flew 5hrs back home from Miami and with my ear being plugged the pian from the pressure was horrible. i thought my drums were going to burst. I chewed on gum and drinking water and it helped a little. I took Unsiom on the way there and it put me to sleep almost the whoel ride and its pregnancy safe. My dr suggested it...its anit-nauseous and sleepiong aid. Its OTC and helps a lot. About your feet...you can get up and just stand by your seat or walk up and down the aisles...people do it all the time.
Have a fun trip!

Oh good! So this should be fine. Thanks for the advice, though, sleeping the whole way would be perfect.

Here's some tips from a flight attendant:
Check with your doctor to see if you can take a decongestant, if so, take it 30 minutes prior to take off.

Begin chewing gum when the flight attendants are doing the safety demonstration and again when they tell you that they'll be coming through one final time before landing.

Ask for hot tea with a lemon and drink it slowly.

If your ears get really plugged up in flight and hurt really bad, ask the flight attendants for some paper towels with hot water and a coffee cup (not plastic), put the hot, damp towels inside the cup and hold the cup to the affected ear. It will help loosen and drain any pressure in there.

Good luck!