Now that it's summer, most likely you'll be indulging in a bit of summer travel. So how to stay safe while pregnant?
A little extra planning, precaution, and care will ensure your safety and that of your baby. Always check with your doctor before traveling, and make sure he or she knows when you are going, where, and for how long.
Foreign Travel
Foreign travel poses important issues for pregnant women. For example, your body may not be accustomed to bacteria and diseases that are prevalent in some foreign countries, making you susceptible to upset stomach, diarrhea, and dehydration. Language problems can also make accurate diagnosis and correct treatment difficult. The following are some additional issues to consider when traveling internationally while pregnant:
- If at all possible, travel with at least one companion.
- Contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov or 1-877-394-8747 to receive safety information and vaccination facts related to your travel itinerary
- Drink only bottled water. Don’t use ice cubes made from tap water in your drinks and don’t use glasses or cups that have been washed in tap water. Canned juices and soft drinks are acceptable alternatives.
- Make sure any milk you drink is pasteurized
- Avoid fresh fruits and vegetables unless they are cooked or can be peeled
- Only eat meat and fish that are well cooked
- Check medical facilities at your destination and whether your insurance will cover you while there Traveling to high altitudes is not recommended while you are pregnant. Altitudes over 13,000 feet should be avoided, and heights of 8,000 feet and higher should be avoided in late or high-risk pregnancies.
Pregnancy at (unaccustomed) high altitude has been associated with intrauterine growth retardation and higher rates of pregnancy-induced hypertension.Before traveling abroad, know your blood type and determine whether the blood supplies are screened for HIV and hepatitis B at your destination. Hepatitis E (HEV) can be especially dangerous for pregnant women. HEV is caused by ingesting water contaminated with feces.Pregnant women are more susceptible to malaria and if infected, they are more likely to suffer a severe reaction.
Pregnant women are twice as attractive to mosquitoes as other people. Researchers believe this is due to the fact that pregnant women breathe 20 percent heavier and have a higher body temperature, which may result in more perspiration. Breathing and sweat both attract mosquitoes. The mortality rate for pregnant women infected with malaria is 2 to 10 times higher than other adults. There are also a limited number of preventative drugs and treatments for malaria that are safe during pregnancy. While few problems have been reported, you should avoid excessive use of DEET-based insect repellents since they are absorbed through the skin. Lemon eucalyptus-based repellents are not readily absorbed through the skin, so they may be a better choice for pregnant women. However, neither type of repellent has been formally tested for pregnant women.
More research is needed to determine the effect of West Nile virus on unborn babies. In 2002 there was one case of transmission of West Nile virus from a mother to her fetus. The newborn was later born infected with the virus and had severe neurological problems. However, it was never proven that the West Nile virus caused the baby’s abnormalities. Several other mothers infected with the virus in 2002 did not pass the infection on to their fetuses and the baby’s were born normally. If you think you may be infected with West Nile virus (symptoms include fever, headaches, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, confusion, muscle weakness, and sensitivity to light) you should see your doctor immediately and be tested for the virus.
Air Travel
Most airlines allow pregnant women to travel domestically up to their 36th week and internationally up to their 32nd week. However, each airline has its own policy, so check with your airline before you fly. According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the safest time for you to travel is during your second trimester. You’ll generally be feeling your best and have the lowest risk of miscarriage or premature labor. Women in their third trimester are advised to stay within 300 miles of home in case of sudden complications.
Depending on your size while pregnant, you may have a harder time getting comfortable in a coach airplane seat. If you can’t afford to upgrade your seat, request an aisle seat at the bulkhead for maximum space. Be sure to bring a bottle of water with you on the plane and drink frequently to counteract the effects of the low-humidity cabins. Get up and walk around every half hour if possible and stretch your legs often to prevent phlebitis. Always wear your safety belt while seated, and be sure it is placed low on your pelvic bone, and never across your belly.
While you are pregnant, travel on major airlines with pressurized cabins and avoid smaller (un-pressurized) planes. If you must take a smaller, un-pressurized plane, avoid flying at altitudes above 7,000 feet.CruisesTraveling by sea while you are pregnant is generally considered safe. However, most cruise lines have restrictions against women sailing during their third trimester. If you are taking a cruise during your first trimester, the motion of the boat may exacerbate your morning sickness.
Check with the cruise line to determine whether there is a physician on board in case you develop any complications. Many smaller ships (those with 100 passengers or less) generally do not have medical personnel on staff. Larger ships are also more stable on rough seas. For the smoothest ride, get a cabin in the middle of the ship, close to the water line.
Make sure that your health insurance policy will cover you if you develop any complications while on board or at a port-of-call. Also, check your scheduled ports-of-call to find out about their medical facilities and other safety issues such as water supplies, disease outbreaks, etc. Less developed countries may have a shortage of trained doctors and nurses, sterile equipment, and safe blood.
Car Travel
Car travel is safe during pregnancy, although you may need to allow extra time for bathroom and stretch breaks on long trips. Always wear your seat belt low across your pelvic bone and never across your belly, and position the shoulder belt snugly between your breasts. Air bags are as safe during pregnancy as they are at any other time, so don’t disconnect them. There is a potential risk associated with airbags because they open with such force; however, the benefits of their use outweigh the risks. To minimize the risk of injury during airbag deployment, sit as far back as possible – at least ten inches from the dashboard or steering wheel, wherever the airbag is located.
If you are in a car accident of any sort, regardless of severity or how far along you are in your pregnancy, you should be checked out by a doctor immediately, even if you feel fine.Buses and trains tend to have narrow aisles and cramped bathrooms; however, both modes of transportation are safe during your pregnancy. Be sure to hang on to the seat backs when walking up and down the aisles.
If you experience any of the following complications while traveling, you should seek immediate medical attention:
Bleeding
Contractions
Impaired vision
Ruptured membranes
Abdominal pain or cramping
Passing clots or tissue
Headaches
Excessive swelling of your legs
The bottom line for traveling while pregnant is to take extra precautions, listen to your body, and always discuss your travel plans with your doctor before you leave.