TRAVELING WHILE PREGNANT: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

Traveling during pregnancy doesn’t have to be scary. Don’t listen to old myths, things have changed a lot and it’s pretty safe as long as you follow your medical team recommendations.

In my personal opinion you should make the most of this time before your bundle of joy arrives. If you don’t feel comfortable with long overseas trips you can always do small weekend breaks within your own country.

In this article I have put together all the tips that helped me with traveling trimester by trimester.

WAYS YOU CAN TRAVEL DURING PREGNANCY

There are many ways you can travel during pregnancy and each way has their own precautions and regulations.

✈ BY PLANE Most airlines will let you fly up until 36 weeks of pregnancy but this may vary. Read more about flying during pregnancy here.

🚗 BY CAR It’s a great way to move at your own pace and you can stop anytime you need to have a stretch.

⛴ BY CRUISE  You can join an all-inclusive holiday which is a great way to relax but most cruise lines won’t let pregnant women on a cruise past 24 weeks.

What to consider when choosing the destination?

The first thing you have to consider is where to go. When choosing a destination, it’s important to think about the stage of your pregnancy and if it’s safe to go.

Check with your doctor or midwife before booking your trip, normally there won’t be any opposition but if you had any complications or are considered high risk you might want to consider avoiding certain destinations.

Before you go • Research the local hospitals and the level of advanced care they can provide so you are prepared if something happens. I would include a list of these places with addresses and phone numbers in your bag at all times.

Prenatal chart • Take a copy of your prenatal chart, this is an important piece of information in case you have to be admitted to the hospital, so always carry it with you everywhere you go.

Research your destination • You should really avoid certain countries where the Zika virus and malaria outbreaks are high (here). Also certain destinations where you might need to be vaccinated with certain vaccines like yellow fever for example should be avoided as live-vaccines are contraindicated during pregnancy.

Which trimester is better to travel during pregnancy?

A term pregnancy lasts for 40 weeks and the weeks are divided into three trimesters.

As a general rule most women feel better during their second trimester (week 13-28) but always listen to your body as it goes through so many changes as the weeks pass by.

In my personal experience I felt at my best from 14 weeks when I stopped being sick daily and continued to travel until I was 38 weeks.

FIRST TRIMESTER

 In your first trimester, from week 1 to 12, traveling can be super easy as physically you are still pretty much the same as before and some women never experience any pregnancy related symptoms at all.

 Although some other women do suffer a lot with morning sickness due to the increased hormones in your body that can lead to vomiting making travel a little less fun!

Possible symptoms during your first trimester: Unusual fatigue, nausea, cravings or aversion to certain foods, mood swings, heartburn, increased urinary frequency.

Tips to manage some of these symptoms

During this first trimester you might want to change a few things to enable you to be more comfortable when traveling. Take note of these tips:

• Have smaller meals more frequently
• Try to avoid activities during the morning or immediately after meals
• Try to sleep more than before
• Invest in comfortable clothes and shoes (take an extra set of clothes in case you are sick on it)
• Choose an aisle seat
• Always have snacks with you
• Travel at your own pace

SECOND TRIMESTER

 The second trimester, from week 13 to 28, is probably the best time to travel, especially to a long distance destination if you are thinking to go for a ‘babymoon’.

Those crazy symptoms from the first trimester are probably all gone and you still feel fit and energetic.

Possible symptoms during your second trimester: Itching, swelling of the ankles, fingers, and face, numb or tingling hands, constipation, heartburn, increased body aches, such as back and abdomen.

Tips to manage some of these symptoms

• Walk around as much as possible (pregnant women are more likely to get blood clots make sure you get your blood flowing)
• Wear compression stocks when taking a long flight
• Drink a good amount of water daily (dehydration can cause false labour pains)
• Ask for extra pillows (sleeping might start to get uncomfortable)
• Always carry snacks on your bag
• Take small breaks during the day to put your feet up and rest
• Wear supportive clothes and shoes

THIRD TRIMESTER

Traveling in your last trimester, from week 29 to 40, might be a little bit more uncomfortable as the time goes by and you start to get heavier.

I did a few flights during this time and I must say I felt fine up until 33 weeks, after that I only did road trips and short weekend breaks.

At this stage it’s super important, as I mentioned before, you double check airlines requirements to avoid any disappointments at the airport.

Also make sure you have all your pregnancy details written down like the name of your medical provider and a number to call in an emergency.

Possible symptoms during your third trimester: shortness of breath, backache, heartburn, constant swelling of ankles and sore feet, constipation, Braxton-Hicks contractions and insomnia.

Tips to manage some of these symptoms

• Prepare your flight: choose your seat, wear compression socks, walk around as much as possible, drink plenty of water. Read more here
• Be realistic for your body (hours walking around a city might not be a good idea, give yourself plenty of rest)
• Take extra pillows to help with sleep
• Wear loose clothes and flat comfortable shoes
• Take all the help people will offer you
• Take a heat pack to help with pain
• Drink a lot of water
• Carry snacks at all times (eating regularly regulates your blood sugar)
• Take loads of photos of the baby bump!

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I’m a truly supporter of pregnant women traveling, it’s a great opportunity to enjoy those last moments before the baby arrives.

If you are healthy through your pregnancy and your medical provider has no objections for you to travel then go for it!

If you have any other tips for traveling while pregnant I would love to hear them in the comments!

 

 

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