There are so many concerns if you are planning to travel during pregnancy. Some people believe that the best thing to do during pregnancy is to settle at home and don’t move or travel around so much. But you never know about life, it’s uncertain, and you can be forced into a condition where you need to travel. Well, it can be absolutely harmless to travel during pregnancy. Still, you need to do some planning with precautions.

(People Also Like To Read: Bloodstream Infection or Bacteremia- How Dangerous It Is?)

Top 9 Safety Tips to Travel During Pregnancy

1. Pack a Travel Kit:

Ready your travel kit with prenatal vitamins, medical documents and your doctor’s contact details, healthy snacks, compression socks, hemorrhoid cream, hand sanitizer, medication (pregnancy appropriate) and don’t forget to carry it.

2. Hydrate Yourself:

Keep yourself hydrated throughout the travel. Try to avoid caffeine drinks.

3. Consult Your Doctor:

Most importantly, discuss your traveling schedule with your doctor, including where and when you are going to travel traveling. Your doctor will advise you and suggest the required medical precautions. You also need to go for routine check-ups to ensure that you are in optimal health for travel.

4. Stretch Your Muscles:

Blood circulation is important, so keep stretching your body during travel. Take breaks, walk and stretch your legs and arms as often as possible. It prevents the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

5. Take Care of What You Eat:

Drink only packed water and pasteurized milk and ensure that you are taking food which is cooked properly.

6. Check With the Airline:

If you are trying to travel by air, ensure to read the pregnancy travel guidelines of airlines, usually, all airlines permit to travel pregnant women before 36 weeks. It’s a better option to request for an aisle seat to get more leg space and for the convenience of movement.

7. Get Travel Insurance:

Ensure that your travel insurance covers your pregnancy and medical bills if there is any complication.

8. Exercise Hygiene:

Ensure proper hygiene while using the toilets and washrooms. If there is a choice, use an Indian toilet instead of a western toilet. Ask your partner whom with you traveling to wait for you outside the washroom for safety.

9. Stay Comfortable:

Wear comfortable clothes, protect yourself from the direct sunlight and try to listen to the cues of your body. If you feel any kind of discomfort, get adequate of rest.

(You Might Also Like To Read: Transient Ischemic Attacks: Overview, Symptoms, Risks, and Treatment)

When You Should Avoid Travel During Pregnancy?

Travel during pregnancy should be avoided if you have any of the following:

1. Multiple Pregnancies:

If you are pregnant with twins or more, your doctor may advise you not to travel. Due to multiple pregnancies, you are more prone to preterm labor.

2. History of Miscarriage or Preterm Birth:

If you or someone in your family have had a history of miscarriages or preterm labor, it is better to avoid traveling.

3. Placental Abnormalities:

If you are facing issue related to placentae like placenta previa and placental abruption can be the cause of risk to both, you and your baby. Bleeding can also happen if you suffering from these conditions. So, Travelling in this condition is not advisable as it can increase the risk of many complications to both of you.

4. Gestational Diabetes:

Pregnancy with gestational diabetes requires proper rest and care as these cases may lead to birth complications. So, you should try to avoid travel if you have gestational diabetes.

5. High Blood Pressure or Preeclampsia:

Women with high blood pressure may face certain complications during pregnancy. So, they should not recommend traveling in order to avoid any risk.

6. Cervix Complication:

If you have a weel cervix it increases the risk of preterm labor, and it may trigger a break of the membrane causing labor. Adequate bed rest is recommended if you are facing such complications.

7.Heavy Bleeding During Pregnancy:

Sometimes light bleeding during pregnancy is common. But, if you are experiencing heavy bleeding, it is wise to opt not to travel to avoid such complications.

8. Ectopic Pregnancy:

Ectopic pregnancy is a significant risk of pregnancy. If you an ectopic pregnancy, especially along with preeclampsia, it’s better to avoid travel to reduce complications.

Conclusion:

Travel during pregnancy is possible if you are taking the right precautions and care. It is highly recommended that first, you should consult your doctor for approval before traveling long distance. Safe travel during pregnancy needs a good amount of planning and precautions. So Safe Travel.

(People Also Like To Read: Poor Dental Health Increase Risk of High Blood Pressure: Study)