Even though many people still believe that traveling during pregnancy is not safe, experts believe otherwise. If your pregnancy is free of complications, you should skip traveling especially if it’s for an important reason. However, even if you and your baby are in the pink of health, you would need to follow a few do’s and don’ts just to be on the safer side.
Do’s:
1. Travel only during the 13th-32nd week period
During the first trimester, the fetus is still attaching itself to the womb and the rigors of travel can cause miscarriages and complications. Even it is considered safe for pregnant women to travel after 13 weeks of the pregnancy, experts advise that they shouldn’t travel after the 32nd week has passed as it could post the threat of pre-term labor.
2. Get travel insurance
Travel insurance allows pregnant women to travel worry free. They don’t have to worry too much about the cost of lost luggage and they are still covered if they need to cancel the trip.
3. Get a checkup before traveling
Getting a thorough checkup before travelling allows you to gauge how safe travel is for you and the baby and it also helps you keep an eye for health problems and how to avoid them.
4. Carry a copy of prenatal records with you
If you have a copy of your prenatal records with you, you’d be able to get better help should complications arise during your travel.
Don’ts:
1. Don’t forget your medication
You need to keep your prenatal vitamins and other prescriptions in your purse during travel so you don’t skip them or lose them if your luggage goes missing.
2. Don’t forget to keep your OB/GYN on speed dial
Feed your OB/GYN’s phone number on your speed dial and ensure that your travel companion or the front desk of your hotel also has the same in case an emergency occurs. Also, remember to let your OB/GYN know where you’re going and what activities you’d be participating in to see if they recommend or forbid any of it.
3. Don’t get a window seat
You’d need to use the bathroom a lot if you’re pregnant and climbing over the aisle passenger every time would be problematic for them as well as for you so pick an aisle seat if you can or ask the flight stewards to move you to an aisle seat.