Travelling while pregnant is possible if you plan well. Pregnant women should simply “exercise common sense” advises a travel doctor who shares the following advice for ensuring your safety when travelling while pregnant whether by plane, car or aboard a ship.
en route
- There are time limits to travelling while pregnant. Travel in the second trimester if possible. You’ll be busy getting scans and checkups in the first trimester and in the last four weeks you could go into labour.
- If you’re flying, check with the airline about their pregnancy restrictions. Most airlines will not allow you to fly if you are more than 36 weeks pregnant. Book an aisle seat, preferably with extra leg room, so you can get out easily to walk around, stretch or use the toilet. Airlines won’t allow you to sit next to the emergency exits.
- If you’re flying a long distance, take two shorter flights rather than one long one. When driving long distances, stop often for rests and stretches.
- Get plenty of fluids and keep some snacks at hand in case of nausea.
- When travelling by car don’t place the seatbelt across your belly. The lower strap should go under your belly and fit snugly over your pelvis and pubic bone and across your hips as high up on your thighs as possible. The upper (shoulder) strap should cross over your shoulder to the side of the uterus, between the breasts and above your belly. Regularly check to ensure the lap belt has not risen onto your bump and that the shoulder belt is not lying directly over your bump as this could increase the risk of injury to your unborn baby during a high-speed collision.
- If you are the driver, sit as far back from the steering wheel so your legs allow the steering wheel to tilt, normally downwards, to suit the size of your bump and stature. Your seat should not be too far back to compromise safe driving and control – about a 10cm space between your belly and the steering wheel is recommended.
- There is nothing to fear about the deployment of airbags if there is an accident. Just ensure you are not sitting too close to the steering wheel or wearing your seatbelt incorrectly, or worse, not at all. Airbags should never be seen as an alternative to seatbelts.
- If you want to go on a cruise, clear it with the cruise company first and check if there is a medical doctor on board. Generally, passengers who have entered their 24th week of pregnancy will not be allowed to cruise due to concerns about potential complications and the possibility of preterm birth.
medical matters
- Before travelling while pregnant, get the all-clear from your gynaecologist.
- Carry a letter from your doctor confirming your pregnancy and the stage.
- Take necessary documents with you, including your most recent scan, medical aid card, vaccination records, travel insurance, your blood group and medication scripts if needed.
- If you are travelling while pregnant and involved in a car accident, inform emergency medical personnel of how far along you are in your pregnancy and visit a doctor as soon as possible after any accident, even a low-speed bumper bash.
- It is not advisable to be travelling while pregnant if you have pregnancy complications, a chronic disorder, such as asthma or hypertension, or are carrying twins.
- For pregnant women at sea, seasickness and the standard queasiness during early pregnancy can lead to bad nausea. Fortunately, several over-the-counter and natural remedies are available to alleviate this, consult your doctor before embarking on a cruise.
- Pregnant women are also more prone to urinary tract infections, so drink plenty of water during your travels.
- Don’t travel to malaria areas as most malaria medication is unsafe. If you have to, speak to your doctor about when to go and what medication to take. Pregnant women also shouldn’t take any live vaccine, such as for yellow fever.
- Keep any medication, vitamins or other essentials on you or in your hand luggage.
- When travelling while pregnant and eating out, carefully select your food. The Mayo Clinic advises pregnant women to avoid consuming fish with high levels of mercury, undercooked or raw seafood and shellfish, raw or undercooked meat, poulty and eggs, unpasteurised food and soft cheeses and unwashed fruit and vegetables.
Also read our article on dealing with motion sickness.
destination dos and don’ts
- When travelling while pregnant, give adventure holidays a miss. However, you can still enjoy walking, easy-going hiking or swimming – all good activities for moms-to-be.
- When in the sun, use stronger sunscreen than you would normally apply.
- Wear comfortable, loose clothing and non-slip, supportive shoes.
- Avoid doing anything that could cause you to fall, such as riding a horse or bicycle.
- Avoid using saunas and hot tubs, and check if spa treatments are safe.
Read our article on the slow holiday trend, ideal for expectant mothers.
By following this advice and exercising “common sense”, there is no reason why you should not be travelling while pregnant and enjoying a wonderful holiday.
