Avoiding travel hazards during pregnancy
There's absolutely no evidence that travel brings on labour, or leads to miscarriage, or any other complication of pregnancy. It is wise, though, to be extra careful about travel if you've miscarried before or have a history of premature labour. Ask your doctor for the name of an obstetrician in the area you're visiting and, in the last trimester, limit yourself to trips within easy reach of home.
Train travel during pregnancy
© Jupiter
Book a seat if possible, and check that it's not next to the buffet car as the smell may make you feel nauseous. Eat lightly to lessen the risk of travel sickness. Don't lean on, or stand close to, carriage doors as they have been known to fly open - this obviously applies even when you're not pregnant.
Car travel during pregnancy
Travelling by car can be exhausting, so limit your journeys. Stop and get out of the car at regular intervals so you can have a short walk to keep your circulation going. Always fasten your seat belt, but buckle it low, across your pelvis, and use a shoulder harness if you have one. Keep on driving as long as you're comfortable behind the wheel, but you must stop as soon as you begin to feel at all cramped. This may seem obvious, but don't drive yourself to the hospital if you're in labour!
Air travel during pregancny
Travelling by plane isn't a good idea after your seventh month, because of pressure changes in the cabin. If you must fly at this time, check with the airline about whether they'll need to see a doctor's letter before letting you on the plane. If you sit over the wings or towards the front of the plane you'll feel less of the plane's motion. Don't fly in small private planes that have unpressurized cabins.
While flying, eat lightly because pregnancy makes you more prone to motion sickness. Make sure that you empty your bladder before you board the plane in case there's a delay in taking off, or the seat belt sign stays on a long time. When fastening your seat belt, make sure that you buckle it low across your hips.
Foreign travel during pregnancy
Always follow the guidelines I've given to protect against listeria and other food-related diseases. Drink bottled water when in doubt.
Check with your doctor about immunizations you may need for travel to some places (typhoid vaccinations, for example, could harm your baby). Even if you've been exposed or are in a typhoid epidemic, the bad effects of the live vaccine will have to be weighed against the risk to your baby. Refuse to have a yellow fever vaccination unless you've had direct exposure. You may need rabies and tetanus vaccinations, particularly if you've had any risk of exposure. Chloroquine may be used for malaria, but only if you're going to an area where the disease is common. The polio vaccine may be given during pregnancy if you're not already immune.
Good travelling in pregnancy
- Leave more than enough time for your journey.
- Aim to leave more time than you normally would between any connections you have to make so you don't have to rush.
- Travel in short bursts rather than a long stretch.
- Travel safely.
- Carry a drink, such as milk or fruit juice, in a flask.
- Take some easy-to-carry food with you, such as wholemeal crackers, cold hard-boiled eggs, raw fruit or vegetables, and nibbles like dried fruit, nuts, and seeds.
- Have some glucose sweets to help prevent nausea caused by low blood sugar.
- Wear an eye mask and some ear plugs so that you can get some sleep when travelling by train or plane.
Posted 16.11.2010
Get more on this subject…
