PREGNANCY AND TRAVEL

Pregnant you are and is it safe to travel? Well, yes it is .Pregnancy does not necessarily mean that you remain within your house all along the duration. Traveling and going on short holidays are quite safe for most of you to - be mother’s .Just a little bit of extra care is all that is needed for you and your baby to have a refreshing outing.

How Safe is it to Travel

Travel during pregnancy is safe and sound for most women if there are no obvious complications. However, it is always wise to talk about them first with your doctor or midwife. Traveling to few countries may not be suggested during your pregnancy, as certain immunizations and medications can be harmful to the growing fetus.

By and large it is considered that the safest and most relaxed time for you to travel is during your second trimester. Morning sickness is generally over and after the first three months, the possibility of miscarriage is notably lower. During the third trimester you may not feel all that comfortable because of your size, plus there is the risk of running into early labor.

Most airline and insurance companies have policies saying that pregnant women ought not to fly after weeks 35/36 for fear that she may go into labor. So it’s best to ensure that any travel plans are done by this time. Furthermore, it is important that you are sufficiently insured for prenatal emergencies or for delivery in a foreign country.

Travel in comfort

Whichever type of transportation you use; make sure that you are as comfortable as possible, mainly on long journeys.
Have a proper sitting position by placing a pillow in the small of your back; rest your feet such that your thighs are not on the seat and don’t cross your legs as it hampers the blood circulation and strains the other parts of your body.
Try to walk around every hour or so. This will lessen swelling and makes you more comfortable.
Try getting an aisle seat so that you have more space and can get to the restroom easily.
Wear comfy shoes and loose fitting cotton clothing.
Carry some crackers or snacks which help prevent nausea.
Keep sipping liquids at regular intervals as they help you maintain your body fluids.

Some Tips

It’s important you have an antenatal check-up before you travel.
Carry a copy of your maternity records with you.
Go for only bottled water or soft drinks. Iodine that is used to filter water may not be safe for the fetus.
Avoid having ice in your drinks.
Avoid items like pate and soft cheeses. This will keep you away from Listerosis, a disease, which causes a slight feverish complaint in the mother, but could be fatal to the developing baby.
Avoid raw or undercooked meat. They could contain bacteria that cause toxoplasmosis, a disease which can harm you baby
Make sure that the milk you drink is pasteurized.
If you suffer from diarrhea, drink lots of bottled water and DO NOT take any medication without consulting a doctor.

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