Q: I am a 25-year-old healthy and physically fit female. I am 5 feet 4 inches tall and have a strong built. I have been married for nearly 9 months. Two months back, I came to know that I am expecting. So I took proper dietary care. However, due to an important exam I had to undertake an air journey. I have taken flights before as well. But the return journey was very uncomfortable and I got a terrible nauseating feeling during take off. After 2 weeks I went for a regular check-up and got the shock of my life when the doctor advised me to abort the baby. He said that the child was not showing any signs of growth. Is air travel the reason for this? How much gap should be there for the next pregnancy?

A:The air flight cannot be the cause of the abortion. Modern air crafts are well pressurised, so there is no contraindication to air travel during pregnancy, especially in the first and second trimesters, if everything is going on well. You should have a gap of atleast 6 months before the next pregnancy. Mean time, you should be investigated to find the cause of this abortion. However, please note that we cannot find a cause in all cases. Also, it is advisable to take tablet folic acid 5 mg daily for 3 months prior to the next pregnancy, and continue it through the first 3 months of pregnancy.