How to travel safely during pregnancy? (Traveling While Pregnant)

Pregnancy is a beautiful time and one that requires a lot of care. But there are times in life when you can't avoid things like work, going to a wedding, or just needing a little rest and traveling. That's when the question that many mothers have is, "Can I travel during this time? Is it safe for me and my baby?" This is actually a very important question. So today, let's talk about the things you need to be aware of when traveling during pregnancy.

Before planning a trip, see your doctor.

The most important thing you should do before anything else is to talk to your obstetrician about your journey. Not every pregnant woman's situation is the same. Some people have a healthy pregnancy without any complications, while others may have complications that require special attention.

Doctors generally advise against traveling long distances after 32 weeks . The main reason for this is that if you give birth unexpectedly, you will not have your doctor , who knows you best, with you. Also, having to deliver your baby in an unfamiliar place, under the care of a doctor you have never seen before, can be emotionally difficult for you.

Therefore, discuss everything with your doctor, including whether your trip is necessary, how far it is, how many weeks into your pregnancy you are, and whether you have any complications. Then, get his or her permission to go, "No problem," and plan your trip.

Don't forget these things when preparing for any trip.

Whether you're traveling by plane, train, bus, or car, these things will be very important for your safety. Let's look at these in a table.

Let's learn about air travel.

A question many people have is whether air travel is safe during pregnancy.

Simply put, air travel is generally safe for a healthy pregnant woman with no complications . However, it is wiser to avoid air travel if you have any of the following complications:

• Twin pregnancy
• Hypertensive disease of pregnancy
• Severe vomiting and nausea
• Placenta Previa
• Risk of preterm labor

Keep these things in mind when flying:

• Get up and walk around every hour: During pregnancy, blood circulation in the body changes a bit. When you stay in the same position for a long time, especially during flights, there is a risk of blood clots in the legs (`Deep Vein Thrombosis - DVT`). This is a dangerous condition. Therefore, getting up and walking around for a couple of steps at least once an hour can help maintain good blood circulation.
• Choose an Aisle Seat: Choose an aisle seat rather than a window seat. This will allow you to get up and walk around easily, and you can go to the bathroom frequently without disturbing others.
• Drink plenty of water: The air inside the plane is dry. Therefore, the body is more likely to become dehydrated. Drinking plenty of water can prevent this. It also helps reduce false labor pains (` Braxton-Hicks contractions`) that sometimes occur. Remember to avoid caffeinated drinks like coffee, tea, and alcohol.
• Keep healthy snacks handy: Since meals are no longer served on planes, it's a good idea to pack some nutritious food for yourself. It's best to eat small, frequent meals to prevent low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and nausea.
• Don't lift heavy bags: Avoid carrying heavy bags at the airport. Use a cart.
• Security Scanner: Don't be afraid to go through the metal detector at airport security. It emits a very small amount of radiation. But if you have any concerns, you can ask for a pat-down.

Road Trips

If you're traveling long distances by car or van, the main risk, just like when traveling by plane, is blood clots.

• Get out of the car and walk around at least once every two hours: Instead of sitting for long periods of time, stop the car at least once every two hours, walk around for a few minutes, and give your legs a little exercise.
• Exercise while sitting: Small things like rotating your ankles and raising and lowering your toes while sitting can help keep your blood circulation going.

Should we also consider cruises?

While going on a cruise may seem like a relaxing experience, it can be a bit risky during pregnancy, especially if you've never been on a cruise before.

Many people experience nausea and vomiting (morning sickness) during pregnancy. This can be made worse by seasickness during a cruise. Also, sometimes illnesses like stomach viruses spread quickly on ships. If the body is dehydrated due to things like vomiting and diarrhea, and a salt imbalance occurs, it can even lead to premature labor.

Therefore, if you are thinking about taking a cruise, think twice and talk to your doctor before making a decision.

Your Destination Matters!

Just as important as how you travel is where you go, so is where you go .

Imagine that you are in the last months of your pregnancy. At such a time, it is not wise to go on a pilgrimage to a difficult, poorly equipped area, for example, a village without a good hospital, or a mountainous area. Because, as the pregnancy progresses, the chances of labor and delivery also increase. Therefore, wherever you go, it is very important to stay near a place where you can get good medical facilities in case of an emergency .

If you are going to a foreign country, research the country's health facilities, food, and water safety in advance.

• Always drink bottled water.
• Drink only pasteurized milk.
• Eat only well-cooked meat and fish.
• Avoid eating at restaurants with questionable cleanliness.

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