Traveling is a pleasure, it is the best way to break with the routine, to change scenery and to live new and enriching experiences. Pregnancy is a unique stage in a woman’s life, full of emotions and sensations, and it can be the main reason why many women consider postponing their vacations. But this does not have to be like this. Traveling and pregnancy are not incompatible situations .
As long as you have a normal pregnancy, your health is good and your due date is far away, traveling can be a great way to discover new horizons while you wait for the arrival of the new member of the family. An important aspect that should not be forgotten when traveling pregnant is to have travel insurance so that no unforeseen event can spoil a dream trip. In this way, you will not have to worry about anything, only to enjoy your trip to the fullest.
HOW MANY MONTHS PREGNANT CAN YOU TRAVEL?
Before planning that dream trip while you enjoy your pregnancy, it is recommended that you take into account a series of recommendations. The quarter you are in is a turning point when starting that journey . As a general rule, it is not advisable to travel during the first trimester, since it is the period of pregnancy in which a greater number of medical check-ups are carried out, which are essential to ensure the proper development of the fetus. In addition, during the first months of pregnancy, nausea and vomiting usually make an appearance, which will make it very difficult for you to enjoy a trip as it deserves.
Without a doubt , the second trimester is the best time for you to enjoy this trip . During this period, all the important tests are already done and you will already know if there is any risk in your pregnancy or if it is developing normally, a very important factor before considering packing your bags. In addition, in the second trimester you will feel much better, the typical discomforts of the first months have disappeared, you no longer have nausea or vomiting and the energy will accompany you again.
From week 28 in the last weeks of pregnancy you can also travel, although you will feel heavier and will need to rest more frequently. If you enjoy good health and your pregnancy is not at risk, you can consider traveling until you are 36 weeks pregnant , since from that moment a premature birth can occur and travel is contraindicated.
In any case, before heading to new lands, consult your health professional to verify that this little adventure you want to do will not pose any risk to your baby. You should also consult the policy of the airline that will take you to your destination to find out the specific recommendations in each case.
HOW CAN A PREGNANT WOMAN TRAVEL?
If you are pregnant you can travel in a similar way as you will when your baby is born.
traveling pregnant by car
If you choose to travel by car, you can drive as long as you do not feel discomfort while doing this activity. If you notice any pain or discomfort, it is better to travel in the rear, with the seat belt placed under the belly or with a special seat belt for pregnant women. Car trips can be exhausting during your pregnancy, so it’s best to stop every couple of hours to stretch your legs.
traveling pregnant by plane
For air travel it is recommended that before buying the tickets you find out until what month of gestation the airline you have chosen allows you to fly. In this case, it is advisable to travel with a medical certificate indicating the expected date of delivery , the weeks of pregnancy and showing that it is very unlikely that the delivery will occur in the next 72 hours after the flight, since this It is usually an essential requirement for many companies before flying. Some can even make you sign a document in which they avoid any responsibility for what may happen during the flight due to your special situation.
Once you get on the plane, it is better to sit in a seat near the bathroom since you will surely have to visit it frequently. Better if you stand in the hallway, as this way you can stretch your legs when you need to . One piece of advice, wear comfortable shoes that you can easily put on and take off, since if you notice that your feet are swollen, you can take off your shoes for a while for your comfort. Try to walk every hour to activate circulation and try to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration during the journey. If you notice that the seat belt is too tight, you can request an extender from the flight attendants.
traveling pregnant by train
Traveling by train is a great option to get around during your pregnancy since it is not necessary to wear a seat belt. In addition, you can walk through the corridors whenever you want and go to the bathroom with total comfort. The train bathroom is usually large, so it will be very comfortable when you have to use it.
traveling pregnant by boat
Traveling by ship can be comfortable for pregnant women, the greatest discomfort may be caused by the movement of the ship since pregnant women are more sensitive to seasickness. If that dizziness caused by the movement of the boat joins the typical nausea of pregnancy, the journey can be a real hell. To avoid this situation, it is better to opt for large boats that are more stable and better able to withstand changes during the voyage. In this way, you will notice less dizziness. In any case, boat trips are not usually recommended since during the journey you are very far from any hospital care post that could assist you in case you need it. Many companies do not allow pregnant women to travel after the 27th week.
Whichever means of transport you choose, keep one more piece of advice in mind: when you arrive at your destination, try to wait for everyone to get off to avoid tripping or jostling . Due to your situation you occupy more space than normal, so it is very easy to get hit. That impact will be received by your baby and can cause considerable damage. Stand back so that everyone can get out, as there is usually a rush when the plane or train arrives at its destination and then gets off comfortably and unhurriedly, it is better to be careful than to start the trip with an accident.
WHAT RISKS DOES TRAVELING PREGNANT ENTAIL?
Traveling during pregnancy should not be a problem as long as a series of aspects are taken into account. It is necessary to take certain precautions to ensure your health and that of your baby.
As we have previously mentioned, the first thing you should consider is the destination of your trip, the means of transport you are going to use and the month of pregnancy in which you are , since trips at the beginning or end of pregnancy can be more dangerous. In the event that you have a twin pregnancy, it is better that you do not travel after week 30, since in these types of pregnancy premature births usually occur and complications may appear.
You should bear in mind that long trips are not recommended during this period of your life, as they can interfere with the dates of your routine pregnancy check-ups. Medical care during pregnancy is essential and undergoing all check-ups and examinations is the best way to ensure your health and that of your baby. Therefore, when you plan your trip , keep in mind your next revision, the duration of your trip and the arrival dates so that everything adds up .
In addition, you should bear in mind that if you make a trip that is too long, your return may be complicated, especially if you are going to travel by plane since you may have exceeded the maximum weeks of gestation allowed by the flight company. There is nothing more unpleasant than discovering that you are not allowed to travel back home because during your stay on your trip you have exceeded the maximum weeks of gestation allowed to travel.
Special circumstances of pregnancy
There are certain situations in which it is better not to travel during pregnancy. These special circumstances are:
- Complicated gestational history (for example, previous abortions).
- Abnormalities in the placenta
- Multiple pregnancy. This type of pregnancy is characterized by premature delivery, so it is better not to travel in this type of risky pregnancy.
- severe anemia
- Maternal heart disease
- AHT
- maternal diabetes
- Bleeding during pregnancy
- History of thromboembolism (It can be caused by sitting for a long time).
Risks when traveling pregnant
Traveling pregnant can entail a series of risks that it is advisable to be aware of:
- Risk of thrombosis. If you must travel by plane during your pregnancy you will have to sit for many hours, so there is a certain risk of suffering a deep vein thrombosis since during pregnancy there is extra pressure on the veins due to fetal growth.
- Problems in the arrival of oxygen to the placenta. If during the plane flight there is a change in cabin pressure, it can hinder the exchange of oxygen through the placenta.
- Injuries to the fetus. The seat belt must be adjusted below the abdomen and from one side to the other of the hips, since in case of making an incorrect adjustment of it, it can cause injury to the fetus.
- Birth. If you travel during the third trimester from the seventh month, you expose yourself to your delivery on the plane, which can involve the appearance of complications for both you and your baby.
There are some myths about traveling pregnant . For example, you may hear that radiation from flights can be dangerous during this period. Nothing is further from reality. Radiation increases with altitude, but the amount you can receive during the flight is so small that it cannot cause any harm to you or your baby . In any case, if you must travel by plane frequently, it is better to consult a health professional to make sure that there is no risk to your pregnancy. You can also hear that going through the security arch can endanger your pregnancy. The magnetic field emitted by that metal detecting arc is so low that it won’t do you any harm.
HOW LONG IS IT NOT ADVISABLE TO TRAVEL PREGNANT?
As we have mentioned before, the perfect period to travel is the second, between weeks 18 and 28, since the nausea and discomfort typical of the first trimester will have disappeared and you still won’t feel too heavy to enjoy the trip. From the 30th week of pregnancy it is less advisable to travel. It is from week 34 that it is recommended to reduce trips. From week 36 it is recommended not to travel , since there is a possibility of premature birth.
In any case, before planning a trip, it is better to consult your doctor so that they can assess your case individually, taking into account factors such as whether your pregnancy is at risk, if there is any special condition that could endanger your health or that of your baby, your destination, the duration of your trip, etc.
HOW TO PREPARE YOUR NEXT TRIP IF YOU ARE PREGNANT?
Are you thinking of planning your next getaway? If this is the case and you are pregnant, it is recommended that you keep in mind that it is better that you do not carry out this trip if you are in your last month or if seven days have not yet passed after giving birth to avoid unpleasant surprises.
If your health and your pregnancy allow it, go ahead and enjoy your trip, but keep in mind that if you choose the plane as your means of transport, it is better that you contact the company to verify if it is necessary to present a special certificate due to your pregnancy . Traveling by plane can be the best option during pregnancy as it is the fastest means of transport.
Tips for traveling by ship pregnant
Ship travel can also be very comfortable during pregnancy, just keep in mind that many cruise lines do not allow pregnant women to travel during the last three months of pregnancy. Furthermore, many companies do not accept pregnant travelers over 24 weeks of gestation. On ships with more than 100 passengers and on voyages of more than three days, the ship has a doctor and a nurse to attend to pregnant travelers . You should keep in mind that this service is not free.
Tips for pregnant train travel
Traveling by train has several advantages compared to traveling by bus or car. On the one hand, you will not have to remain seated during the entire journey, you will be able to move freely, walk or stand according to your needs. Moreover, it is recommended that you take small walks during the trip to activate the circulation of the legs. In addition, there are usually no restrictions on the week of pregnancy to travel by train, although a medical certificate indicating that there is a low probability of complications may be requested to authorize the trip.
Tips for traveling by car pregnant
To make short trips it is better that you bet on the car, especially if you travel with another person. In this case, you must bear in mind that during the first trimester the fetus is in a period of formation, so in the event of a traffic accident, it may experience trauma or bruises. During the last months of pregnancy, the volume of the abdomen can make traveling by car uncomfortable, making it necessary to readjust the position of the seat. The second trimester is again the best period to travel by car.
Tips for traveling by bus pregnant
The bus is not recommended as a means of transport during pregnancy, especially for long journeys. It does not usually have a bathroom and if it does, it is usually very small and uncomfortable. The movements during bus trips are minimal, you will not be able to walk and the stops that are made are few. To promote venous return when traveling by bus , perform ankle movements every two hours .
Food tips for pregnant travel
To plan your next getaway, you should bear in mind that during pregnancy there is a higher incidence of urinary tract infections, so you need to increase your intake of liquids such as infusions or non-sugar drinks. In addition, being pregnant you will tolerate heat and humidity worse, and drops in blood pressure may appear. Perhaps one of the biggest frustrations you’ll run into when traveling pregnant is food restrictions .
Do not get overwhelmed, the trip is not just about food, try to follow your doctor’s recommendations to ensure your health and do not eat foods that can put you at risk . Always eat cooked food and you can only eat raw food in moderation in places you trust. The water is better to be bottled to avoid problems, since it is better not to drink it if you are not sure that the water in the place where you are is drinkable.
If you are pregnant, you should avoid prolonged use of iodine-containing tablets used to make water drinkable, since prolonged intake of iodine can cause problems in the development of the fetus’s thyroid gland.
Try to eat more fruits and vegetables to complement your diet. In this way, you will avoid constipation, a situation that usually appears frequently during trips and much more during pregnancy.
Always try to wash fresh products correctly, especially foods that do not need to be cooked, such as vegetables or fruits. In this way, we can ensure that we are eating a healthy product. In the case of fruits, if we are not sure that they have been washed properly, we can always peel them to eliminate the risks.
During the summer, a very common situation is the appearance of food poisoning due to the presence of viruses, bacteria or protozoa that grow when temperatures rise. This situation may appear due to incorrect refrigeration or maintenance of a product. This type of poisoning can appear especially in raw meat, in eggs, cream, fish, fruits and vegetables. Refrigerate all these foods well before consuming them, avoid exposing them to the sun and cook them properly to avoid the presence of these microorganisms.
Vaccination tips for pregnant travel
Another aspect that you should not neglect on your next trip is your protection against insects . It is recommended that you use barrier measures against mosquitoes and other insects that can transmit serious diseases. During pregnancy, the consequences of most diseases are more serious for both you and the fetus, so it is essential that you respect bite control measures.
Vaccines for travelers are not indicated during pregnancy. Only those containing inactive viruses, polysaccharides or toxoids can be used. Also, they should be given during the second or third trimester if needed. In any case, depending on your destination, it is recommended that you consult with the corresponding health professional to assess the risks and benefits of administering each type of vaccine, especially in places with a high risk of exposure.
It is better that you avoid destinations where malaria is frequent since the prophylactic drugs used in its treatment are prohibited in pregnancy. If you contract malaria while pregnant, its effects will be greater, and it can be fatal even when preventive drugs are used.
It is also recommended that you avoid destinations where it is possible to contract hepatitis E , a viral infection of the liver. This hepatitis can cause miscarriages, liver failure, and even death. There is no treatment for this type of hepatitis, so it is best to avoid these places during your pregnancy.
IS IT SAFE TO TRAVEL PREGNANT?
Traveling during pregnancy does not have to be a problem . Pregnancy is a special situation, not a disease, and as such, it simply requires a series of considerations in order to enjoy a trip.
As we have indicated previously, if you travel by train or plane, it is recommended that you walk through the corridors whenever you want to favor the circulation of the lower extremities, and avoid complications related to the formation of thrombi in the lower extremities. In addition, sitting in the same position for a long time can become uncomfortable, so taking short walks can be a real pleasure, especially on long journeys. Try not to get too tired, the size of your abdomen is a small impediment during your trip, so try to walk without getting too tired.
In the event that you choose to travel by car, remember to stop every 150 km to be able to take a walk to reactivate the circulation in your legs.
On your trip, regardless of the means of transport you choose, remember to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and to promote blood circulation . The intake of liquids such as infusions or non-sugar drinks is essential, especially during pregnancy.
