After a relatively smooth flying experience to Portugal in my first trimester, I thought that flying in the second trimester would be a breeze. After all, my main concern about nausea had subsided - I had no morning sickness after 15 weeks and my flight was scheduled at 22 and 23 weeks.
Also, Asia flights are easier for me. From the west coast it is just one long flight to Tokyo, then a short layover before we are in Taiwan. To Europe, we usually have a layover on the east coast - a long flight - then another long flight over the Atlantic.
I thought Taiwan would be easier in my second trimester but I faced new challenges I did not anticipate.
On the plus side, since I was no longer experiencing morning sickness, I brought way less medicine this time. But my new symptoms were also terrible:
Constipation and Heartburn
To combat these, I packed Fiber gummies and Tums. I ended up going through both bottles in my two weeks in Taiwan.
Again I was worried about having to pee and dealing with turbulence, which thankfully were not issues on these flights.
My main complaint was that my belly grew quite a bit from week 12 to 22, and now I was too big to have the try table down comfortably. I never realized how tiny and uncomfortable airplane economy seats were until I flew in my second trimester as a slight larger person than I normally am.
Also, even though I got up every hour to walk around, I still had horrible pain in my butt and legs. This time, the compression socks did not work and I still had significant swelling in my calves.
Despite the fact that I can usually handle flights over the Pacific like a pro, I had a horrible time flying on this trip. No good advice on how to avoid the discomfort and frustration that the second trimester brings. Just be happy you're not throwing up anymore.
Also, Asia flights are easier for me. From the west coast it is just one long flight to Tokyo, then a short layover before we are in Taiwan. To Europe, we usually have a layover on the east coast - a long flight - then another long flight over the Atlantic.
I thought Taiwan would be easier in my second trimester but I faced new challenges I did not anticipate.
On the plus side, since I was no longer experiencing morning sickness, I brought way less medicine this time. But my new symptoms were also terrible:
Constipation and Heartburn
To combat these, I packed Fiber gummies and Tums. I ended up going through both bottles in my two weeks in Taiwan.
Again I was worried about having to pee and dealing with turbulence, which thankfully were not issues on these flights.
My main complaint was that my belly grew quite a bit from week 12 to 22, and now I was too big to have the try table down comfortably. I never realized how tiny and uncomfortable airplane economy seats were until I flew in my second trimester as a slight larger person than I normally am.
Also, even though I got up every hour to walk around, I still had horrible pain in my butt and legs. This time, the compression socks did not work and I still had significant swelling in my calves.
Despite the fact that I can usually handle flights over the Pacific like a pro, I had a horrible time flying on this trip. No good advice on how to avoid the discomfort and frustration that the second trimester brings. Just be happy you're not throwing up anymore.
