Basic Health Safety Precautions For Traveling While Pregnant

Enjoy your pregnancy and share your happy news with friends and family far from home. Yes, you can travel while you are pregnant. Of course, after the seventh month you should stick close to home, but traveling while pregnant is for the most part safe. There is no need to be housebound. The important thing to do is to plan ahead to ensure the health of you and your baby. With a few precautionary measures, you can be fairly comfortable (as pregnancy allows you!) and safe.

First of all, if your health overall is excellent, then there is no reason why you cannot travel. Most modes of transportation are fine, except motorcycles and water skiing of course! And with air travel, the optimal times to fly are between your third and seventh month. Most women feel great during these months and there is less chance of complications like premature labor or miscarriage. In addition, there are a few other considerations you might want to follow in regards to your travel health while pregnant:

1. If you plan to travel internationally, check out your insurance policy to see what is and is not covered. You may want to spend the extra money to purchase travel health insurance. Also, plan for a worst case scenario and look into the health insurance to see if it will cover the cost of delivery and care for a newborn should you give birth while away from home.

2. Scope out the hospitals and doctors in the area of your destination. Create a game plan should you have to seek medical help. If possible, identify one or two doctors in that area that could deliver your baby or treat you for any complications.

3. Carry your medical wishes with you so that if you cannot communicate and need to relay information, you will have it all with you. Make sure you indicate emergency numbers, health history, your current doctor and current medications you may be taking.

4. If you are traveling abroad in an area not known for its sanitary conditions, make sure that you have a clean water supply or access to bottled water. Also, do not eat anything raw, including fruits and vegetables unless you have peeled it yourself.

5. If traveling by airplane, there are a few details you should know in advance such as:

You should try and choose a seat in the middle of the plane over the wing section as it has the calmest ride. This is helpful with nausea and morning sickness. A bulkhead aisle seat is also optimal for a pregnant woman who wants a little extra space to maneuver.

Stretch your legs and take a little walk around the airplane cabin to stay loose and prevent blood clots. And if you cannot get out your seat at some point, rely on leg and foot exercises to stay limber.

Dehydration is a problem in pressurized airplane cabins so be sure to drink plenty of fluids. Of course, that means you just might want a seat near the bathroom!

Everyone who has ever been pregnant probably has their own advice and suggestions for traveling. The important thing is to consult with your doctor to determine first if traveling is even safe at the point in your pregnancy. If so, then just keep some of the above advice in mind and stay comfortable. Your body will tell you if you are overdoing. And most of all get plenty of rest so that you can enjoy your trip!

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