Traveling while you are pregnant is a good idea and a great way to get some rest and relaxation. It is generally safe to travel during pregnancy as long as there are no identified complications or concerns with your pregnancy. The ideal time to travel during pregnancy is the second trimester, as many women are plagued by morning sickness during their first trimester and very tired during their third trimester. Though, every woman is different and you may feel ready to travel at a different time.
Under IATA guidelines, pregnant women are allowed to fly in weeks 36 to 38 if the flying time does not exceed four hours. However, many airlines will not accept pregnant women after 36 weeks - make sure you check with the airline before booking. Airlines normally refuse to fly pregnant women who have previously given birth prematurely (pre-term) or have had blood clots in the veins of their legs.
Here are some pregnancy travel tips to ensure a safe and comfortable trip:
Check with your doctor
The most important thing is to check with your doctor or gynaecologist before traveling. If your doctor says it is ok for you to travel, make sure you follow their advice and suggestions for traveling during pregnancy.
If you’re traveling outside of the country, check to see if there are immunizations you need and whether or not you may receive such immunizations safely during pregnancy. If possible, avoid traveling in malarial zones as pregnant women are more liable to catch the disease.
Check your insurance
Check your insurance to ensure it’s valid for pregnancy and make sure that you’ll be covered for all eventualities, as most policies don’t automatically cover pregnancy related conditions. Also check for any restrictions that may apply when you travel to foreign countries.
Be prepared
Bring a copy of your pregnancy records along. It is also a good idea to do some research on the medical facilities in your vacation destination in case of emergency. If you plan to fly during your vacation, then you may want to check the airline’s policy before you book your flight as many airlines have restrictions for traveling while pregnant.
Take frequent breaks
Pregnant women run an increased risk of inflammation and blood clots in veins of the legs and should avoid sitting still for too long. You can get up, stretch and move around as much as possible to help prevent soreness and stiffness. A pregnant woman should have an aisle seat and move around as much as possible - at least 15 minutes every hour. This can also be supplemented with some leg exercises.
Dress appropriately
Be sure to dress appropriately and wear layers so you can cool down or warm up as you need to during the trip. Wear comfortable shoes and socks and elevate your feet whenever possible, as your feet and legs are likely to swell during pregnancy.
Take snacks
Make sure you bring health snacks to enjoy at any time you want. Snacking on long trips can help to ensure that you are well nourished. This can help ease common discomforts of pregnancy.
Keep hydrated
The air humidity in the cabins of passenger aircraft is kept at only 8 per cent, so pregnant women should drink plenty, particularly on long flights. Carry bottled water with you wherever you go and do not drink untreated water, including ice cubes in drinks.
