Question #7: Can I fly while pregnant?

The short answer is "only in an airplane." :) More elaboration is useful.  Aside from the inherent dangers associated with a potential plane crash, (which by the way are not as likely as getting killed in a car crash on a mile for mile basis) the only issue is changes in barometric pressure.

It is true that barometric pressure changes can and do effect the fetus but only minimally.  It is much more of a potential problem with the vastly higher pressures we see in scuba diving. The pressure changes in flying are related to decreasing barometric pressures which can lessen the oxygen saturation of the blood.  When we are talking of getting up around 10,000 feet or higher it could theoretically diminish the amount of oxygen the mother delivers to the baby and could be an issue so I would not recommend a woman spend much time above this 10,000 foot level.  NO Himalaya expeditions while pregnant but skiing at Snowbird is ok if you don't decide to live on Hidden Peak.

The average cabin pressure changes in an aircraft would never be much more then traveling up to 7 or 8 thousand feet and is not a problem.

The other two minor considerations have to do with access to medical care.  The airlines are not equipped to deliver a baby in mid flight and therefore are not going to ever say it is fine to fly if you ask them outright as they don't want to assume that liability.  They would ask for a doctors note to shift the liability to the doctor.  Unless you are within a week or two of your due date this is not really a problem. It is not true that normal barometric pressure changes as with flying, a storm or going into the mountains will induce labor. The other access to care issue has to do with flying away to some distant city where you are not aware of medical resources such as your doctor or hospital.  Flying to Boston when you are 38 weeks pregnant may increase your chances of having your baby in Boston delivered at an unknown hospital by an unknown physician., but it is only related to the fact you are approaching your due date.   I am sure you would get excellent care there but in unfamiliar surroundings.

I typically recommend not flying after 34 weeks for the reasons mentioned above and not asking the airlines permission.  If you do want to ask the airlines if it is ok to fly take a note from me to that effect because they will ask for a doctors release.