Traveling for a pregnant woman: preparation, insurance, package of documents

How long can you travel?

The best time for pregnancy leave is the second trimester, 14-26 weeks. The toxicosis of the first trimester has already been left behind, and with it morning sickness and malaise, a reaction to odors and stuffiness. At the same time, your belly is not that big yet and as long as it doesn’t interfere with your movement, you feel quite light and confident. Doctors insist that long-distance trips should be planned no later than the seventh month of pregnancy, since after this period there is a danger of premature birth. It is unlikely that you would want your baby to be born in a train carriage or in an airplane seat.

Travelling by car

As for a pregnant woman driving a car, experts clearly state the negative impact of the trip, because anxiety and stress on the road are the cause of premature birth or the development of a threat to the development of pregnancy.

Traveling by car during pregnancy is also not always indicated, because due to a certain position of the body and lower extremities, venous stagnation occurs, which is a risk factor for the development of venous problems, vascular embolisms, etc.

When is it better to cancel a trip?

You should definitely discuss your future trip with your gynecologist.

There are some serious medical contraindications that are best not to be trifled with. These include:

• Exacerbation of any chronic diseases and allergic reactions.
• Problems with the formation of the placenta, its low location. In this case, even a small load increases the risk of uterine bleeding.
• Nephropathy (preeclampsia, late toxicosis).
• Threat of miscarriage.

However, let’s hope that these ailments will not affect you, and you are busy with pleasant chores - choosing where to go. By the way, now it’s better for you to travel in a company (with your husband, mother or girlfriend), in this case you will feel more confident.

Train travel

As for traveling by train during pregnancy, it all depends on the quality of the train and the comfort conditions. If this is an ordinary train, then such a trip will not be a pleasure for a woman, because apart from a place to lie down, there are no other conditions here. As for hygiene products, the presence of neighbors with their own specific odors, stuffiness and other disadvantages are not the choice of a train as a means of travel.

If this is a modern train, which has separate rooms and climate control, then you can think about this type of travel.

Where to go?

Pregnant women, of course, sometimes have “their own quirks,” but still, in your situation, it is better not to plan a vacation in exotic countries (such as Africa, Cuba, Mexico, Asia, etc.). There are a number of reasons for this. Firstly, they are located quite far away, so the flight will be long and tiring. Secondly, this is a completely different climatic zone, which means you are subject to temperature changes and problems with acclimatization. Finally, unfortunately, specific infectious diseases of Africa and Asia have not yet been canceled.

It is calmer and safer to go to countries with similar climatic conditions - Croatia, France, Spain, Switzerland, the Baltic countries. Options that are closer and cheaper are Crimea, Valdai, Seliger.

General rules for organizing travel for pregnant women

Also, during travel, pregnant women should adhere to the following recommendations:

• do not stay in direct sunlight for a long time;
• use sunscreen with the maximum level of protection;
• drink only bottled water;
• wear a hat;
• Avoid eating unpeeled fruits and vegetables;
• carry a first aid kit with basic first aid medications;
• use insect repellents;
• get a good night's sleep;
• eat well;
• give up extreme sports;
• don't get too cold.

So, remember that pregnancy is not a disease and is not in itself a contraindication for travel. If there are no abnormalities, a pregnant woman can and should go on a trip in order to have a good rest before the difficult stage of motherhood begins, but keep in mind that you take responsibility for the decision made only on yourself. Therefore, if there are complications during pregnancy, you should avoid traveling. Since the main task during this period is to bear and give birth to a healthy baby, and you can go on a trip later with the baby. Read about traveling with a child in the next article.

What to do on vacation?

The most important thing is no extreme! Even if you were previously known among your friends as a risky girl, now it is better to prefer the least traumatic form of recreation. Therefore, any extreme sports are now excluded for you - windsurfing, mountaineering, scuba diving, alpine skiing, cycling.

What remains? Not so little! You can walk, pick berries in the forest, ride a boat or go fishing. They say that pregnant women feel a special unity with nature. Listen to your feelings, retain a charge of vivacity and sunny energy and try to pass it on to your baby.

An excellent activity for an expectant mother is swimming, especially in clean sea water. Swimming is extremely beneficial for the musculoskeletal system, blood circulation, and cardiovascular system.

How to protect yourself and your unborn child on an airplane

For women with pregnancy complications, air travel is considered the safest way to travel. When flying, the body is kept motionless; there is no need to make sudden stops or jerks. And the flight takes less time.

Before takeoff

List of things to do before takeoff:

• pack the necessary anti-ARVI medications and antacids;
• wear roomy, comfortable shoes to prevent swelling;
• wear loose fitting clothing;
• take an aisle seat so that it is convenient to go to the toilet every 10 minutes;
• ask to be examined with a metal detector manually, and not through an automatic device.

In flight

When flying during pregnancy, you should adhere to the following rules:

1. Wear your seat belt at all times.
2. Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
3. During long flights, stretch your ankle and leg. This is the prevention of edema.
4. Do not hesitate to seek help if a pregnant woman feels a surge of nausea, dizziness and disorientation.

Traveling by air is inconvenient for women in the third trimester because many airlines do not have special arrangements for them.

The main thing is not to expose your unborn child to unnecessary risks. It is better for a pregnant woman to read, listen to music and get some sleep during the flight.

What can't you do?

• Stay in the sun for a long time. In fact, it is not recommended for non-pregnant women to do this, but for you this requirement becomes simply vital. Long exposure to the sun can cause uterine bleeding, affect the heart and blood vessels (and then not far from fainting), provoke varicose veins, and increase age spots on the skin. Sunlight should be avoided from 12 to 17 hours - this is the so-called period. "active sun"
• Supercool. If this does happen, try to warm up as soon as possible: take a warm bath, drink more hot tea with raspberries, ginger, lemon, etc.
• Experiment with new products. When it comes to nutrition, it is better to maintain your old habits and not try new, especially exotic dishes.

Flying by plane during pregnancy

Traveling by plane is not always pleasant, and not only for pregnant women. Some passengers experience severe weakness, excruciating headaches, noticeable vascular spasms and often reach for painkillers.

Everyone knows that flying carries a certain danger for a pregnant woman, let’s take a closer look at what exactly this is.

• Sudden changes in pressure during takeoff and landing. This entails contraction of blood vessels. Contraction of blood vessels can cause negative effects on the fetus, cause premature placental abruption, and increase the manifestations of varicose veins. It is with this factor that all the prohibitions regarding placenta previa, the presence of bleeding, etc. are associated. Some experts say that in later stages of pregnancy, it is the difference in atmospheric pressure that can cause premature birth.

Note. According to statistics, 5-7 babies are born on airplanes per year.

• Low blood pressure during the flight itself. If the flight is not very long (no more than two hours) and during the normal course of pregnancy (in the second trimester), this factor does not pose a serious risk.
• Prolonged forced immobility. Leads to increased muscle tone, lower back pain, and sometimes swelling.
• Dry air on board an airplane can cause swelling of the mucous membranes, sore throat, and nasal congestion.
• Another dangerous factor is exposure to radiation during flight. There is a natural radioactive background at higher altitudes, and accordingly in the plane too. But, as studies show, this danger “begins to be dangerous” with 10 or more flights per year.
• Also dangerous may be the fact that during the flight the concentration of oxygen in the air that the pregnant woman breathes is reduced. And, accordingly, the child also lacks air. It must be said that this is a far-fetched problem. This danger does not apply to pregnant women who do not have anemia. And if you have anemia, your doctor will prohibit you from flying. That is, if you don’t have anemia, then you don’t have to worry about the oxygen content in the air.

Despite the possible risks, there is an opinion that with an uncomplicated pregnancy, healthy women can fly by plane at any stage.

What to do before your flight

• Be sure to check the carrier's conditions. Sometimes, boarding will require a certificate from your doctor (that you are not going into labor any time soon). Some airlines may limit the length of pregnancy you can fly with.

Note. You can fly on Ukrainian airlines until the 36th week (first pregnancy) or up to the 34th week (not the first pregnancy).

• Be sure to visit your gynecologist who is caring for your pregnancy and consult with him what medications to take with you, and in general, how feasible the flight is for you.
• Be sure to take out insurance.
• Be sure to take your exchange card and all test results with you.
• Take all the medications you take, plus those your doctor recommends, for your trip.
• When checking in for your flight, explain your position and ask for a seat in a part of the plane where there is less turbulence.

During the flight

• Try to get comfortable. It is advisable to stretch your legs. do not keep them folded.
• If the flight allows, then try to get up more often, stretch your legs, walk a little, and change your body position.
• Under no circumstances should you be embarrassed to use the toilet on board, pregnant women are not tolerated :). If the bathroom is busy, you can always ask the flight attendant to help you (show or open another toilet, or take you to the business class bathroom, for example).
• Use nasal drops (for congestion and for moisturizing) as needed.
• Be sure to drink enough fluids and do not let yourself feel thirsty.