Traveling While Pregnant

Traveling while you are pregnant is not a problem with the proper planning. The important things to consider that will ensure you and your baby remain healthy during travel are the stage of your pregnancy, your current physical condition and any restrictions or problems you and your doctor have discussed.

The first thing you should do is talk to your doctor about your travel plans. Make sure that you will not be away during the time of any scheduled tests or office visits. Certain tests must take place at specific times during your pregnancy, especially if you are in a risk group, such as glucose screenings, RH immunoglobulin injections or ultrasounds.

If your doctor says it is ok for you to travel, you should prepare a complete list of contact names and phone numbers as well as important medical information to take with you. This will ensure you get the appropriate care if you have problems during your trip and need care or medical attention.

Your list should include:

*Your name, age and blood type
*Any medications you are taking
*Your health care insurance information
*Your due date and the date of your most recent doctor appointment
*Any allergies you may have to medication or foods
*Any immunizations you may have had before travel
*Your doctor’s name and contact information
*Any doctor’s name and phone number you may be using while you are away from home
*Emergency contact information for your family (include more than one contact)
*Carry a cell phone, especially if you're traveling alone, and be sure that your cell phone will function wherever you may be traveling

You should also be sure to have an ample supply of prescription and over the counter medications and prenatal vitamins. Before you leave home, make certain that your health insurance policy covers pregnancy, delivery and other complications during travel and be sure to double check any restrictions that may apply to travel in foreign countries. You should also check the availability of travel insurance on your airline, or other carrier, to be sure that you are covered if you have to miss part of, or your entire trip because of pregnancy related health problems. Make sure to ask if this insurance covers complications from pregnancy and emergency transport.

You can plan normal activities while you are traveling, but understand that you are likely to get tired more quickly, so plan for extra rest during each day. Make sure you take the time for a relaxing bath, use room service instead of going out to eat for every meal, sit on the beach or watch an in-room movie.

Even though you cannot have a "home cooked meal" while you are traveling, eating healthy is important. Since your schedule is likely to be different on the road, you should take nuts, dry fruit, and cheese and crackers with you. It is also very important to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, especially if you are flying to your destination.

As an expectant mother, you will likely need to use the bathroom often so take this into consideration when planning your activities. Make sure that your plans do not require you to be out in the middle of nowhere, away from facilities. You will also need to plan extra time for ‘pit stops’ if you are traveling by car.

Remember that your feet and legs are likely to swell during pregnancy if you are sitting for long periods of time. Wear comfortable, expandable shoes and socks and elevate your feet whenever possible. Get up and walk around whenever you can on a plane, train or bus and if you are traveling by car, be sure to walk around a bit when you stop to use the bathroom.

Make sure that you avoid risky activities such as snow skiing, water skiing, surfing, horseback riding, parasailing, scuba diving, water slides and some more extreme amusement park rides, especially late in pregnancy: You may also want to avoid very hot saunas and hot tubs, as they elevate your temperate beyond what is normal in a regular bath.

Talk to your doctor about your planned activities before you leave on vacation. You will want to make sure you get his or her approval for an strenuous activities you may have planned. Normally, it is ok for you to walk and hike at low altitudes, swim in calm waters (not in heavy surf or rapids), ride a stationary or regular bike, exercise in the hotel gym (if you have been used to exercising before and during your pregnancy) and jog if you jogged before pregnancy. You doctor will let you know if any of these activities are unsafe for you or your baby depending on your medical condition.

If you get your doctor's approval, you still want to be smart! If you start to feel tired, overheated, dizzy or uncomfortable, slow down, rest, take a break or stop what you are doing.

Travel, especially to other time zones, can throw your eating schedule off. This can cause problems with bloating and indigestion. To reduce any major discomfort, try eating several small meals during the day, don’t eat close to bedtime (allow 2-3 hours to digest your food), and sleep with your upper body propped on pillows. You should also avoid alcohol, carbonated beverages, caffeine, chocolate, acidic foods (citrus fruits, tomatoes, and vinegar), and spicy foods. To avoid constipation and bloating, eat foods that are high in fiber and stay active to keep your digestive tract moving.

Even if you normally do not suffer from motion sickness, the changes to your body during pregnancy can make you more susceptible to this problem. You can avoid motion sickness by sitting in the front seat of the car and keeping the window open to get plenty of fresh air. In an airplane, sit over the wing, and on a boat, try to stay on the deck and focus on the horizon.

You can also avoid motion sickness by wearing a specially designed wristband that delivers a mild electrical current to a nerve at an acupuncture point on the underside of your wrist. Studies have shown that this device helps some pregnant women with morning sickness and motion sickness.

If you follow these suggestions, you should have a pleasant and healthy trip.

The most important thing to remember about travel during pregnancy is that if your doctor advises against it, you are wise to follow her/his suggestion. You should put off the trip for another time after the baby is born rather than risk your health or the health of your unborn child.

Traveling While Pregnant

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