Pregnancy

Travel during Pregnancy

Because pregnancy does not mean that you are invalid or disabled, it is usually acceptable that you can travel if there are no risks of complications and if the travel is not a high-risk expedition, such as climbing mountains or whatever else that may lead you to exhaustion.

The first consideration when it comes to planning travel is getting your doctor's advice to determine how safe the travel is for your developing baby. Among those factors to keep in mind, you should include the destination, the weather there, how far along you are, how you plan to travel, and how long you will be away.

You should always consider your actual health and if you are traveling alone or with a person that can assist you if something goes wrong. Furthermore, determine the vehicle used to reach your destination, car, bus, boat, train or airplane, because each one can add associated health risks to you and your baby.

Although, it is more likely that you travel with your partner, some women want to stay alone to meditate or discharge stress. However, if the destination is far from home, or it will involve staying away for long time, it is important to consider how safe this travel could be.

The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology considers that the safest time for a pregnant woman to travel is any given date during her second trimester, and it is suggested to travel with at least one companion.

At this stage, she is usually feeling the best, and the danger of experiencing a miscarriage or premature labor is the least during this stage than in other stages. If your partner cannot go with you, travel with another member of your family or your closest friends, just in case.

When planning to travel by car, always use your seat belt no matter how long or short the distance. Make sure to position the lap portion of the belt snugly under your abdomen and across your upper thighs, pull over at least every 2 hours, taking a rest stop to stretch your legs and move around.

Taking an airplane should not cause you any problem. If your pregnancy is more than 6 weeks away from your due date, and you have asked your doctor, it is safe for you travel this way, although most airlines do not allow pregnant women on board when they are more than 35 to 36 weeks along.

Metal detectors at the airports will not harm your developing baby, but if you are expecting twins, triplets or more; avoid travel by air because the changes in air pressure on a high-altitude flight could present problems when more than one baby is on the way.