Travel safety tips during Pregnancy – Pregnancy and Travel

Most pregnant women can safely travel until the last month of their pregnancy. Your doctor may recommend limiting or avoiding travel depending on how far you are in the pregnancy, and if you have any medical or pregnancy problems.

General travel tips

Before you go:

• Discuss your trip with your doctor. Get examined shortly before you go.
• Get a copy of your medical records. Take it with you.
• Try to get names of doctors and hospitals in the area where you will be visiting.
• Pack your pillow.
• Pack any approved medicines and supplements.
• Get enough sleep the night before the trip.

During your trip:

• Ask for locations of doctors and hospitals.
• Wear flat, comfortable shoes.
• Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothes.
• Wear compression stockings as told by your doctor. They may prevent blood clots that arise from sitting for a long time.
• Do leg exercises as told by your doctor.
• Eat a balanced diet, drink lots of fluid, and take your vitamins and supplements.
• Take water, crackers, and fruit with you.
• Take breaks to use the restroom and walk every 2 hours or during stops.
• Do not wear yourself out.
• Do not ride on a motorcycle.
• Rest. If your trip is long, lie down for 30 or more minutes with your feet slightly raised after you reach your destination.
• Always wear a seat belt.

Tips for traveling to a foreign country

Before you go:

• Ask your doctor if there are medicines that are safe for you to take if you get diarrhea, constipation, nausea, or vomiting.
• Check with your health insurance provider about medical coverage abroad. Purchase travel medical insurance, if needed.
• Make sure you are up to date on vaccines.

During your trip:

• Do not eat uncooked foods.
• Do not eat food from buffets or food that is cold or sitting at room temperature.
• Drink bottled beverages and water. Do not use ice.
• Wash fruits and vegetables with clean water. If possible, peel them before eating.
• Do not drink unpasteurized milk.
• Wear insect repellent if there are mosquitoes or other biting insects. Ask your doctor which repellents are safe.

What do I need to know about traveling by car?

• Wear your seat belt properly. The belt should be buckled below your abdomen, on your hip bones. The shoulder belt should be off to the side of your abdomen and across the center of your chest.
• If you are in the front seat, sit as far away from the dashboard as possible to avoid getting hit hard if the airbag deploys in an accident.
• Do not travel for more than 5–6 hours a day.

What do I need to know about traveling by bus?

• Before making a reservation, ask whether your bus will have a restroom.
• Move your arms and legs when seated.
• If you have to use the restroom, hold on to the seats and handrails as you walk.
• Do not travel for more than 5–6 hours a day.

What do I need to know about traveling by train?

• Before making a reservation, ask if your train will have a sleeping car and more than one restroom.
• If you need to walk while the train is moving, hold on to seats and handrails.
• Move your arms and legs when seated.
• Do not travel for more than 5–6 hours a day.

What do I need to know about traveling by airplane?

• Before booking your trip, ask about the airline’s rules about pregnancy. Pregnant women may be restricted from flying after a certain time of the pregnancy. Every airline has its own rules.
• Make sure you complete your trip before 36 weeks of pregnancy.
• Ask whether the airplane cabin will be pressurized. Do not board an unpressurized plane that will fly above 7,000 ft (2,100 m).
• Try to get a bulkhead or an aisle seat so it is easier to get up, stretch, and use the bathroom.
• Wear layers since the cabin temperature can change.
• Put all your medicines and medical records in your carry-on bag.
• Avoid drinking caffeinated or carbonated beverages.
• Avoid eating foods that may make you bloated.
• Do not eat a big meal.
• If you need to walk through the airplane, hold on to the seats and handrails.
• Move your arms and legs when seated.
• Wear your seat belt.

What do I need to know about traveling by cruise ship?

• Before booking your trip, ask the cruise ship company:
  • Are pregnant women allowed on the ship?
  • Is there a medical facility and doctor on board?
  • Does the ship dock in places where there are doctors and medical facilities?
• Before booking your trip, ask your doctor:
  • Is it safe to take medicines if I get seasick?
  • Is it safe to wear acupressure wristbands to prevent seasickness? If the answer is yes, consider buying one.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have diarrhea.
• You vomit.
• You have nausea or seasickness.

Get help right away if:

• You have vaginal bleeding.
• You have severe vomiting or diarrhea.
• You have pelvic or abdominal pain.
• You have contractions.
• Your water breaks.
• You have a persistent headache.
• Your eyesight changes or you see spots.
• Your face or hands are swollen.
• You have pain, warmth, or swelling in your legs or ankles.

Summary

• Most pregnant women can safely travel until the last month of their pregnancy. Your doctor may tell you to limit or avoid travel depending on how far you are in your pregnancy and if you have any medical or pregnancy problems.
• The best time to travel is between 14 and 28 weeks of your pregnancy.
• Before you go on your trip, make sure you discuss your trip with your health care provider, get a copy of your medical records, and try to get information on medical centers and doctors at your destination.
• While on your trip, make sure you wear comfortable clothes and shoes, eat a healthy diet, drink plenty of fluids, take your vitamins and supplements, take breaks and rest often, and wear your seat belt.
• Before booking a flight, ask about the airline’s rules about pregnancy. Every airline has its own rules. Do the same for a train, bus, or cruise ship.