7 Recommendations For Traveling While Pregnant

Doctors and specialized articles on maternity always emphasize that being pregnant is not synonymous with being sick; That is clear, however when a woman is expecting the birth of her beloved baby she must be cautious even to enjoy the always rewarding pleasure of traveling.

A good number of airlines in the world allow women who are pregnant with a single baby – and are in good health – to board a plane without major problems until week 38 of gestation, but they restrict for their safety and that of the child that they do so when they have already completed week 39.

When the pregnancy is multiple, for example twins, from week 28 you will need a medical certificate that attests that your state of health allows you to take a plane. However, each company has different policies and it will be you, according to your needs, priorities and tastes, who decides which airline to travel with.

The most advisable thing is that you consult your doctor so that he is the one who tells you what precautions you should take, since most experts advise not to take long trips after the 28th week of pregnancy, although if you need to travel and your doctor authorizes it not there should be no problem.

In addition to the recommendations in the health field that your doctor makes, it is always good to be cautious and prepare your trip in advance.

7 tips for traveling while pregnant

First of all, you should know that the ideal time to undertake any type of trip – either by plane or by land – is during the second trimester of your pregnancy, when the risks of spontaneous abortion have already been considerably reduced. .

• Plan your trip in advance, because in addition to consulting your doctor and following the recommendations he makes, it is good that you have your bags on time and if you are going to travel by plane, arrive early at the airport so that you can calmly do all the procedures that they involve getting on a plane. Having plenty of time will also help you to identify yourself as a pregnant woman to the plane staff so that they can help you board before the rest of the passengers.
• A good measure is to travel to places that have nearby health centers, as it is always good to have a health center in sight in case of any eventuality.
•  If you are traveling by land, take a break every two hours to walk a bit and stretch your legs; This exercise will also help you avoid back pain during the trip. Likewise, if you are going to travel by plane, try to stretch your legs so that they do not swell due to lack of circulation.

• It is also recommended that you avoid ingesting carbonated drinks and heavy meals, as these foods can cause you discomfort such as stomach pain or excessive gas.

Some points to consider before traveling by plane:

In addition to taking into account the restrictions or regulations that each airline places regarding the deadline they set for travel, which is calculated with respect to the weeks of gestation, you also need to know that if you suffer from health problems such as hypertension or diabetes and you are unbalanced it is better not to travel by plane.

It is preferable that you avoid long trips (more than six hours), as a longer trip could complicate your health.

It is also recommended that you investigate if there are outbreaks of endemic infectious diseases in the destination, since being in a place with these conditions constitutes a great risk for you and your baby. However, if the trip is imminent, it is best that you are well informed about the symptoms, mode of transmission, incubation period and individual protection measures, regarding this type of disease.

One more piece of advice – and this has nothing to do with the fact of being pregnant or not – it is more than a general recommendation: Travel with comfortable clothes and shoes and with the lightest luggage you can, doing so will make the trip more bearable whatever the circumstance.