If your pregnancy has no complications, the best period to travel is between 14 and 28 weeks of gestation.
Wherever you go, find out what healthcare facilities there are at your destination in case you require urgent medical attention.
It’s advisable to take your medical records with you so you can give doctors the relevant information if necessary. Have a check-up before you travel and don’t go unless you get the all-clear from your doctor.
Make sure you have travel insurance to cover your pregnancy for any eventuality. Consider possibilities such as pregnancy-related medical care during labour, premature birth and the cost of changing the date of your return trip if you do go into labour.
When to travel
Many women prefer not to travel in their first 12 weeks of pregnancy because of the exhaustion and nausea they experience during the early stages.
The first three months are a sensitive stage with the risk of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. But if you feel well and you’ve discussed it with your doctor, then there’s no reason why you can’t.
After week 28, the biggest factor in deciding to travel, apart from the issue of comfort, is the risk of going into early labour.
If you decide to go away, consult your doctor, who will determine your risk of a premature birth. If you get the all-clear, make sure there are adequate facilities at your destination if you go into labour.
“Travel during pregnancy is a concern for many women,” says Sarah Reynolds, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at the Bedford Hospital NHS Trust.
“But if your pregnancy has no complications then there’s no reason why you can’t travel safely as long as you take the right precautions.”
Here are some general tips to ensure you and your baby stay healthy during your travels.
Air travel
There’s no increased risk to a healthy pregnant woman or her foetus from air travel. The best time to fly is between 14 and 28 weeks when there’s a lower risk of miscarriage or labour. Consult your doctor before booking your flight. Most airlines don’t accept heavily pregnant women.
Each airline has its own policy so it’s best to check before buying your ticket. Most airlines require a certificate after 28 weeks. Sarah says that during the flight it’s important to drink and move about regularly. “During pregnancy, there’s an increased risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the legs,” she says. On long-haul flights, she advises the use of flight socks (also called compression stockings).
Vaccinations
Vaccines are not recommended because of concerns that the virus or bacteria in the jab could harm the baby in the womb. You are generally advised to avoid travelling to countries where immunisation is required. Similarly, anti-malaria tablets are not considered safe for pregnant women.
“However, if you must travel to areas requiring inoculation, you should get your jabs," says Sarah. "The risk of catching an infectious disease far outweighs the risk from vaccination.”
Car travel
Fatigue and dizziness are common during pregnancy so it’s important to drink regularly, eat natural, energy-giving foods (fruits and nuts) and stop regularly for a break.
Keep the air circulating in the car and wear your seatbelt with the cross strap between the breasts and the lap strap across the pelvis rather than the stomach. Avoid making long trips on your own and share the driving with your companion.
Travel by boat
Ferry companies have their own restrictions and may refuse heavily pregnant women (often beyond 32 weeks). Be sure to check their policy before booking. For longer boat trips, such as cruises, find out if there are onboard facilities to deal with pregnancy and if there are medical services at the docking ports.
Food and drink
Care should be taken to avoid food and water-borne conditions such as stomach upsets and traveller’s diarrhoea (TD). Some medicines for treating stomach upsets and TD aren’t suitable during pregnancy.
Always check if tap water is safe and if in doubt, drink bottled water. If you do get ill, take care to keep hydrated and continue eating for the health of your baby even though you may not be hungry.
