Travelling when pregnant:

Travelling when pregnant: an overview

If you are planning on travelling anywhere when you are pregnant, there are certain precautions you need to take.

In the same way that you would give up smoking or drinking alcohol during your pregnancy, you may also have to give up travelling to certain places or doing certain activities at various points in your pregnancy.

Here is a brief overview of what you need to consider at the different stages.

Early stages

Many women do not even know they are pregnant in the very early stages. Because of this, they may not consider changing their travel arrangements, diet and exercise routines. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that the first 12 weeks of pregnancy are when you are most likely to feel very tired and suffer from nausea. This can put expectant mothers off of travelling, as can the worry of miscarrying.

Note that travelling does not necessarily increase the risk of miscarriage in the first three months of pregnancy so that should not be used as a sole reason not to travel.

Mid-term

During the middle of your pregnancy, there is very little to say that you cannot travel to most places. However, bear in mind that there is a risk carried with having vaccinations.

It is generally preferred not to vaccinate expectant mothers so bear this in mind when thinking about the destination you intend to travel to. It is safer to have the immunisation jab, but there is still a risk that the jab could harm the baby. This is obviously down to your own choice but think carefully before travelling somewhere that has a risk of disease.

Some anti-malaria tablets cannot be taken either so it’s important to consult with the doctor before taking any. The general symptoms of pregnancy often put off a lot of women from travelling too far. For example, fatigue and dizziness are common, neither of which are enjoyable on an already long journey.

Safe driving also needs to be taken seriously. The seatbelt must not go across the bump, but rather, sit below it. The most common cause of injury to pregnant women is thought to be road accidents so proceed with the utmost caution.

Final stages

When women get to the final stages of their pregnancy, travel may be more restrictive. This isn’t necessarily through the mother’s desire to stay put, but rather that various travel operators put limits in place.

Some ferry companies will not allow pregnant women on board after 32 weeks. Similarly, some airlines will not let you fly towards the end of your pregnancy. Others will request a letter from your doctor or midwife confirming you are in a fit state to fly. Some women have complications during their pregnancy that could make flying carry a higher risk. Putting restrictions on your air travel is as much for the insurance of the airline as it is for the personal safety of both you and your baby.

Ultimately, where you travel and at what point you go is down to personal preference. Some mothers prefer not to travel at all during their pregnancy, whereas others find it’s unavoidable; often taking out the necessary insurance to protect themselves just in case.

While some companies can put time limits on your travel, if you are physically able, feel comfortable and the doctors and travel operators will allow it, you should make your own decision about when and where to travel.

About the Author: This article was penned by Lauren Sutton, an in-house writer from pregnancy travel insurance provider www.holidaysafe.co.uk, based in the UK.

Keep in touch with the team via the company blog and Twitter @holidaysafe.