Traveling while pregnant — How safe is it?
Travelling while pregnant can make you feel like a toddler! You’ll need to stick to your nap schedule. Also pack lots of extra snacks, and know where (your) potty is at all times, as Emma Odaba finds out.
To travel or not to, is a significant decision for many pregnant women. Especially where the distance is more than just a trip from one suburb to another.
Before you embark on that trip, consider certain factors
In general, pregnancy should not change your travel schedules unless there are suspected complications. Many women continue with their normal lives for the duration of their pregnancies and travelling is nowadays more common than it was in yester years. Traveling for holidays,or as a last resort to see the family before the baby comes, or a last romantic vacation, is not unusual. This may even include travelling out of the country, often by air. Most women can therefore safely travel while pregnant.
However, depending on the mode of transport you choose, before you embark on that trip, do consider certain factors. As with every major decision during pregnancy, a little more planning, precaution and care will ensure your safely and that of your baby.
Consult your doctor
It is advisable to always check with your care provider before traveling. The care giver will want to know when and where you are going. Also inform your care giver the length of time you will be away. Let the conditions under which you will be traveling be known. Not to forget your anticipated living conditions once you arrive at your destination. Discuss the activities you plan to undertake and how busy your schedule is likely to be.
Carry both emergency contacts and your medical history
Before you leave, prepare a list of key names and telephone numbers that you will need in case of an emergency. Pack these in your handbag or hand luggage. If you are in your second or third trimester, take along a copy of your prenatal chart too. Keep it with you at all times during your trip. The chart should include your age, your last menstrual period and your due date. It should also include the number and outcomes of any prior pregnancies. Your risk factors for disease, pregnancy-related lab rests and ultrasounds should also feature. Another set of critical information is your medical and surgical history, and a flow sheet of vital signs taken at each antenatal visit. If you are planning an extended visit, have your care provider refer you to someone in the area you are traveling to for check-ups or emergencies.
What are the key concerns about distant travel in pregnancy?
Malaria and other diseases
Travelling to foreign places is not necessarily easy for pregnant women. This is because their bodies may not be accustomed to bacteria and diseases that are prevalent in those foreign places. For example, pregnant women are susceptible to malaria and if infected they are more likely to suffer a severe reaction. Malaria in pregnancy carries significant risk to both the mother and baby. Anti-malaria drugs are not always 100 percent effective and if a pregnant woman insists on traveling she is advised to take extra precautions to protect herself against insect bites. For example she is advised to sleep under a mosquito net and avoiding going out in the evenings. Postpone your trip until after delivery if it is to a region considered to be high-risk area for endemic infectious diseases like malaria.
Altitudes and heights
Traveling to high-altitude areas is not recommended while pregnant. In late and high risk pregnancies, avoid altitudes over 13,000 feet and heights of over 8,000 feet. High altitudes have been associated with retarding intrauterine growth and higher rates of pregnancy-induced hypertension, especially if one stays for long in those areas.
Bumpy roads
The means by which you travel is crucial as it is linked to risks you may face during travel. If traveling long distances and over long hours by road, ensure it is not on a rough road as the bumpy movements of the vehicle may lead to false or premature labour.
Overactive means of travel
The less crowded the means of transport you take the better. In general avoid buses and mini-buses whose boarding involves jostling as you could get hurt. Also avoid public vehicles that make multiple stops and have high human traffic along the way. This not only helps reduce the travel time but also limits your exposure to new travellers who have different medical condition like flu and coughs. Always remember to wear your seat belt low across your pelvic bone and never across your belly.
Let people know you are pregnant
Whatever the means of transport you take, it is important that you notify the driver or steward that you are pregnant. This will enable you to receive special attention, and in case of an emergency, faster understanding of your circumstances. This is especially important if our pregnancy is not physically obvious.
Pre-plan access to crucial facilities and food
Travelling while pregnant requires that you pre-plan access to all the facilities you would normally avail to a toddler on travel. For Instance you must know in advance where a toilet will be available as you should expect to visit the loo several times. This is more the case if you are in the third trimester. You also need to carry snacks to nimble along the way as it is likely you will have regular hunger pangs. If you crave for nutritious foods, take these foods with you, lest you develop discomfort from lack. Always have a quick solution for vomiting, for instance an air or road-sickness bag.
Sleeping while traveling may be unavoidable over very long distances. However, in general it is not advisable to sleep while travelling on a rough road, as the jolts may precipitate labour or other complications.
Stay with familiar company if possible
Sometimes it is unavoidable to travel long distances alone. If you are in your third trimester, as much us possible, travel with familiar company, for instance your spouse or a relative. This ensures you can get fast assistance in case of any complications along the way.
Do not travel far or long when close to your expected due date
It is a bad idea to plan a trip close to your due date. Sometimes you would like to deliver in a far away land, for instance abroad or in your rural home. If this is the case, travel to that location at least four weeks before your due date. If during travel you feel any pains, however remote, notify the driver or steward. This will ensure they are ready in the event of a surprise delivery.
END: PG 05/19-20