With the right precautions such as travel insurance, most ladies can travel safely well into their pregnancy. Regardless of where you go, find out what healthcare facilities are at your disposal in case you need urgent medical attention. It's a good idea to carry your maternity medical records along with you so you can provide doctors with the relevant information if the situation arises.
Make sure your travel insurance covers you for any eventuality, like pregnancy-related medical care during labour, premature birth and therefore the cost of changing the date of your return trip if you go into labour.
Some women prefer to not travel in the first trimester of pregnancy because of morning sickness and fatigue experienced during these days. The danger of miscarriage is also higher in the first trimester, regardless of travelling.
Travelling in the final trimester of pregnancy can be tiring and uncomfortable. So, many ladies prefer taking a holiday in mid-pregnancy, i.e., the second trimester.
Flying is not dangerous. Still consult with your doctor before going ahead.
The chance of going into labour is naturally higher after 37 weeks (in the case of twins around 32 weeks) and some airlines won't permit you to fly toward the end of your pregnancy. Connect with the airline for their guidelines on this.
After week 28 of pregnancy, you may even need a letter from your doctor stating the due date and that there is no risk of complications.
Long-distance travel (longer than 4 hours) carries a little risk of blood clots (Deep Vein Thrombosis -DVT). If you fly, ensure to consume plenty of water and move around regularly – every 30 minutes or so. Try getting a pair of graduated compression or support stockings from the pharmacy, which aids in reducing leg swelling.
Most live vaccines aren't recommended during pregnancy due to concerns that they could harm the baby.
Still, some live travel vaccines could also be considered if the risk of infection supersedes the risk of live vaccination. Ask your doctor for advice about specific travel vaccinations. Inactivated vaccines pose no threat to pregnancy.
Some anti-malaria tablets aren't safe to take during pregnancy so ask your doctor for advice.
Zika virus is mainly transmitted by mosquitoes found in some parts of the world. For most people, it's mild and not fatal but may cause problems for the pregnant woman.
If you are pregnant, it isn’t advised to travel to parts of the world where the Zika virus is present, like:
It's crucial to analyse the risk for the country you're going to before your travel.
Try to avoid long car journeys. However, if unavoidable, ensure to stop regularly, get out to stretch and move around.
If you are not driving, try to engage in some exercises, like flexing and rotating your feet and wiggling your toes. These movements will keep the blood flowing through your legs and reduce any stiffness and discomfort. Do not forget to wear your compression stockings. Experiencing exhaustion and fatigue is common during pregnancy so it's vital to replenish your energy levels. Drink regularly and eat fruits and nuts.
Maintain air circulation and wear your seatbelt. Make sure the lap strap is across your pelvis under your bump, not across your bump.
Road accidents account for the most common causes of injury in pregnant women. Don't plan on travelling alone on a long trip.
Take special care to avoid food and water-borne conditions, such as stomach upsets and travelers' diarrhea. Some of those medicines aren't suitable during pregnancy.
Make sure tap water is safe to drink. If in doubt, drink bottled water. If you get ill, keep hydrated and consume the required calories for the health of the baby, even if you don’t feel hungry.
