Travelling abroad while pregnant is possible!
A pregnancy that is progressing normally does not stop you from living your life and travelling. With a few precautions, you can carry on enjoying the world. That freedom, however, should not make you forget to stay mindful of heat and altitude for your baby’s safety. Discover all our tips for making the most of your pregnancy on all your trips.
What not to forget before going abroad
The bags are packed, a valid passport is in your bag and the tickets are in hand. A few extra items may come in useful, in particular a medical certificate stating your expected due date and your doctor’s go-ahead to travel (essential beyond the 28th week). Also bring any specific medical information about your pregnancy or your health (diabetes, etc.), a list of care centres at your destination, and medicines for common minor ailments — you may not find these products abroad.
The ideal time for a stress-free trip
The best time to travel is the second trimester, when you will most likely be at your best, with the most energy, and still far from your due date. In the first trimester, nausea and tiredness would stop you from fully enjoying your trip: the urge to stay tucked up in bed would undo all your plans to go out. Beyond the 28th week, the size of your bump and the approaching birth will make you prefer to stay quietly at home. What is more, most airlines will not accept you beyond 36 weeks.
Choosing your destination
The first thing to check is whether you will be able, on site, to manage any medical conditions you have, such as diabetes. Before you leave, find out about health risks and the addresses of local medical centres. Make sure you can receive the care you need there, or take your treatments with you.
Naturally, high-risk destinations are strongly discouraged. Vaccines and antimalarial medicines are not recommended during pregnancy or if you are trying to conceive. However, if you have no choice but to travel to a country affected by such diseases, it is better to take the medicines than to risk infection.
Tips for a comfortable journey
When you sit for hours in a plane or train seat, or on a car seat, your ankles and feet swell. In the car, stop every two hours to walk a little, have a bite to eat and use the toilet. To aid circulation on the train or plane, move your feet and ankles and walk up and down the central aisle regularly. It is important to stay well hydrated by drinking water and fruit juice. To make your journey less uncomfortable, you can bring a few accessories such as a back cushion or a bottle of cool water.
On planes, you often hear about the risk of thrombosis — a blood clot that forms in a vein after a prolonged period of immobility. As this risk is slightly higher in pregnant women, whose blood tends to clot more easily, wearing compression stockings is advised.
In the car, the seatbelt and airbag protect you in the event of an accident. A seatbelt properly positioned on either side of your bump poses no risk, and neither does the airbag. You can move your seat back to reduce its impact, but it will harm neither your baby nor you.
Mind your hygiene
Your immune system is weakened by pregnancy, so you are more prone to gastroenteritis caused by contaminated food and water. To avoid this risk, drink only sealed bottled water, even for brushing your teeth. Also avoid ice cubes, fruit you have not peeled yourself, and fruit into which water may have been injected to increase its weight, such as melons. If a stall is offering food that does not look fresh, walk away. Choose only restaurants whose food hygiene seems impeccable to you.
Activities for your holiday abroad
Naturally, risky activities such as horse riding, water- or downhill skiing and scuba diving are to be avoided. As well as thrill rides. However, keeping up moderate physical activity is advised if you are used to it, such as swimming or walking. Be careful not to let your body temperature rise. During the first trimester in particular, intense heat can affect the embryo’s development and cause dehydration. Jacuzzis and saunas should also be avoided, as their heat can be harmful to the baby and leave you feeling weak. Some oils used in aromatherapy massages can be toxic to the baby, especially in the early months. To make up for it, there are spas offering treatments designed for pregnant women if you are after some wellbeing. Finally, avoid over-exposure to the sun. Your skin is more fragile during pregnancy. Experts are still studying the effects of over-exposure on the foetus, and it appears that ultraviolet light can cause a folic-acid deficiency. So take every precaution. Tanning beds are therefore a bad idea!
Travel guide by trimester
First trimester
- The risk of miscarriage and of embryo development problems is high in the early months. Avoid overly intense activity and extreme temperatures.
- Travel sickness may worsen morning sickness.
- Air travel is safe in the absence of complications.
Second trimester
- Your energy is back and the risks are reduced.
- Flying is allowed, but bring a medical certificate stating your expected due date.
Third trimester
- Getting around may be made difficult by the size of your bump.
- Most airlines will not accept you beyond the 36th week.
