Advice for the Pregnant Traveller
Ah, those were the days, when I travelled with tummy. From our babymoon in Tahiti to a last fling in New York and my final, pre-maternity-leave business trip in Miami (which also doubled as some much-needed me-time), I never let my in utero partner stop me from getting my travel on. In fact, his coming debut provided even more incentive to take advantage of my last days of independence! But there were still many things to consider to make sure I was travelling safely for both of us. I checked with my airline on their policies for pregnant travellers (most will allow you to travel up to your 35th or 36th week—although, according to BabyCenter, most cruise lines don’t allow pregnant women to sail in their third trimester), made sure I was covered with travel insurance in case baby wanted to surprise me with an early arrival or some other pregnancy-related emergency, and also got a fit-to-fly letter with a copy of my medical records from the midwife just in case…and with that I was outy.
Fellow Yummy Mummy blogger Evelyn Hannon does a great job of listing additional considerations--especially when it comes to more exotic destinations--on her Journeywoman travel website:
*Most, but not all, vaccines are considered safe during pregnancy. Once your pregnancy is confirmed, you'll require special advice. In Canada, an organization called Motherisk will answer any questions you might have about appropriate drugs and immunization. In the United States, pregnant women traveling to less developed countries should consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for country-specific information.
*If possible, avoid travelling in malarial zones. Even while taking anti-malarial drugs, pregnant women are more liable to catch the disease, and the illness tends to be more severe.
*Dreaming of finally climbing that mountain? Especially if you're in the first trimester of your pregnancy, avoid high-altitude destinations, where oxygen to the fetus could be decreased.
*According to Dr. Jane Wilson Howarth in her book, Bugs, Bites and Bowels, the safest time to travel seems to be during the second three months of pregnancy. Providing your pregnancy has been problem-free, the risk of miscarriage will be small and there is little chance of early labour or other complications.
*Pamper yourself. When planning your holiday, avoid too hectic a pace. It's very wise to build in extra rest stops while you're on the road. Remember, your body is busy nurturing a baby, and the extra effort of travel makes it work even harder.
*It isn't always easy to eat properly when travelling. Constipation can become a problem, especially if you're taking iron supplements. Try to eat plenty of high-fiber foods, like fruits and vegetables.
*Where the quality of water supplies is less than perfect, the pregnant traveller should avoid using iodine to purify her water. Iodine could have an adverse effect on the fetal thyroid.
*In developing countries, pasteurized milk is often difficult to find. You should take powdered milk with you if you want to ensure that you get enough calcium. It can be mixed into or sprinkled over most foods.
*For coping with morning sickness, ginger is an excellent remedy. Crystallized forms can be found in the baking section of most supermarkets. Otherwise, raw root ginger can be found just about anywhere in the world, and can be grated into your food in small amounts.
Have any more pregnant traveller tips? Click below to share!
Visit Baby Abroad for more family travel tips.
Fellow Yummy Mummy blogger Evelyn Hannon does a great job of listing additional considerations--especially when it comes to more exotic destinations--on her Journeywoman travel website:
*Most, but not all, vaccines are considered safe during pregnancy. Once your pregnancy is confirmed, you'll require special advice. In Canada, an organization called Motherisk will answer any questions you might have about appropriate drugs and immunization. In the United States, pregnant women traveling to less developed countries should consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for country-specific information.
*If possible, avoid travelling in malarial zones. Even while taking anti-malarial drugs, pregnant women are more liable to catch the disease, and the illness tends to be more severe.
*Dreaming of finally climbing that mountain? Especially if you're in the first trimester of your pregnancy, avoid high-altitude destinations, where oxygen to the fetus could be decreased.
*According to Dr. Jane Wilson Howarth in her book, Bugs, Bites and Bowels, the safest time to travel seems to be during the second three months of pregnancy. Providing your pregnancy has been problem-free, the risk of miscarriage will be small and there is little chance of early labour or other complications.
*Pamper yourself. When planning your holiday, avoid too hectic a pace. It's very wise to build in extra rest stops while you're on the road. Remember, your body is busy nurturing a baby, and the extra effort of travel makes it work even harder.
*It isn't always easy to eat properly when travelling. Constipation can become a problem, especially if you're taking iron supplements. Try to eat plenty of high-fiber foods, like fruits and vegetables.
*Where the quality of water supplies is less than perfect, the pregnant traveller should avoid using iodine to purify her water. Iodine could have an adverse effect on the fetal thyroid.
*In developing countries, pasteurized milk is often difficult to find. You should take powdered milk with you if you want to ensure that you get enough calcium. It can be mixed into or sprinkled over most foods.
*For coping with morning sickness, ginger is an excellent remedy. Crystallized forms can be found in the baking section of most supermarkets. Otherwise, raw root ginger can be found just about anywhere in the world, and can be grated into your food in small amounts.
Have any more pregnant traveller tips? Click below to share!
Visit Baby Abroad for more family travel tips.
Tags: family, health, pregnancy, pregnant, safety, travel, traveller
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