When to stop traveling while pregnant? How to prepare for a journey? Almost all moms-to-be ask these questions. Find out everything you need to know about traveling during pregnancy in this post.
Do you like traveling and want to continue it even during pregnancy? Or maybe you have frequent business trips? Anyway, there is must-know information so that you can travel safely and get ready properly for a long journey when you’re expecting.
Here, our experts are sharing their well-tried tips with you. Keep reading!
Is It Safe to Travel During Pregnancy?
Whether by plane, automobile, train, or even boat, traveling while pregnant is usually safe. However, “We need to individualize each situation,” says Frank A. Chervenak, MD, director of maternal-fetal medicine at Weill Medical College of Cornell University in New York City, professor of the obstetrics department and gynecology. “It’s wrong to say categorical no when we speak about traveling while pregnant. I can imagine a scenario after eight months where the journey is allowed”.
Therefore, you can travel as long as you and your fetus are healthy, and you get the go-ahead from your provider.
The perfect time to travel when you are expecting top mom is between the 14th and 28th week, and it’s the second trimester. By then, the risk of miscarriage and morning sickness of the 1st trimester is over. Plus, you are a few weeks away from the 3d trimester, when you become easily fatigued.
We often get asked, “When to stop traveling while pregnant?”. You shouldn’t take long journeys after the 36th week; some airlines even discourage travel after this period. The same answer will be for another frequently asked question, “Is it safe to travel during the 8th month of pregnancy by car?”
The bottom line: it’ll be wise to discuss any journey with your obstetrician-gynecologist (ob-gyn) and see what he/she thinks. You should be concerned and weigh all the risks if your doctor is concerned.
How To Prepare For Traveling: The Necessary Steps
There are some common advice and cruise packing tips for all traveling moms-to-be, no matter what transport you choose or where your destination is. Here is a checklist for you:
❏ Schedule a medical checkup before traveling and get the go-ahead from your doctor.
❏ Ask your health provider about vaccination before traveling to exotic countries because some infections are too dangerous for a pregnant woman and her fetus. You can also reach the CDC at 800-311-3435 to get relevant information concerning immunization.
❏ You should buy trip insurance since you never know what will happen during pregnancy. With trip insurance, you’ll be covered if you need to cancel your journey due to any reason.
❏ If you travel during your third trimester, it’ll be wise to take some necessary baby stuff (e.g., baby clothes, baby bottle warmer if you aren’t going to breastfeed, etc.).
❏ If you take any medications, keep them in your purse in case you get separated from your bags.
❏ Take copies of your relevant ultrasounds and a copy of your prenatal records.
❏ Get contacts of a local obstetrician-gynecologist just in case. Also, register on the site www.iamat.org., there you’ll find a global directory of doctors who help travelers. Only members can see the directory; however, membership is free.
❏ Upon your arrival, register with the American consulate or embassy. They’ll help if you need to leave the country in an emergency.
❏ Make sure you’ve programmed your ob-gyn number into your cell phone.
❏ Consider your diet during traveling. You only have to eat and drink healthy and safe products.
❏ You should remember that pregnancy can cause blood circulation issues. So, when you ask yourself if it’s safe to travel during pregnancy by car, train, or plane, do consider whether you can move around. Moving prevents the formation of blood clots.
❏ Travel tends to be dehydrating, so you should drink plenty of water; remember that bottled water is far safer.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, traveling for expectant moms is quite safe, especially if you plan your journey carefully and take all the necessary precautions.
However, in case you have the following complications, you should cancel your trips:
- Preeclampsia
- Prelabour rupture of membranes
- Gestational diabetes
- Possibility of preterm labor
- Vaginal bleeding
- Risk of miscarriage
- If you are pregnant with more than one fetus.
If you have your own view on traveling when pregnant or can share your own tips and tricks, write in the comment section below! We appreciate your experience!
Bio: Elizabeth Barlettah is a mom of 2 kids, aged 2 and 4. She is a travel writer and adores her job, you can read full articles on top-mom.com. Eliz couldn’t quit it even when she was in her third trimester! And now she keeps traveling and writing with her husband and little kids.
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