Pregnancy should not be a barrier for pregnant women to travel. However, if you plan to travel long distances while pregnant, make sure you and your baby are in good health. So, what preparations need to be made?
Traveling long distances during pregnancy is a common activity for pregnant women, especially at 14–28 weeks of gestation. The purpose of the trip also varies, ranging from the demands of work or just a vacation while pregnant.
During the first trimester of pregnancy, pregnant women are not advised to travel a lot, especially if the distance is quite far. This is due to symptoms morning sickness which still occurs frequently, so that the body gets tired easily and can increase the risk of miscarriage.
In addition, after entering 36 weeks of gestation, pregnant women are also not recommended to travel far because it is approaching the time of delivery.
Tips for Traveling Long Distances While Pregnant
When going to travel, pregnant women should determine in advance the type of transportation to be used, the distance to the destination, and of course the health conditions of pregnant women and their fetuses.
The following are some tips for traveling long distances during pregnancy based on the type of transportation:
Traveling by plane
If there are no problems with the pregnancy conditions, traveling by plane can usually be done after 28 weeks of gestation. The following are some tips that pregnant women can do when they want to travel by plane:
- Do a pregnancy check to the doctor before traveling.
- Choose a comfortable seat, for example near the aisle for easy movement in and out, go to the toilet, or ask a flight attendant for help.
- Sufficient fluid needs during the trip to prevent dehydration.
- Move your limbs every 30 minutes to prevent blood clots, especially if the flight lasts longer than 5 hours.
- Use long socks or stockings to prevent leg swelling.
- Put a seat belt on the lower abdomen in case one day there is a shock on the plane.
However, there are some conditions that make it impossible for pregnant women to travel by plane, including:
- Risk of giving birth prematurely
- Disorders of the placenta, eg placenta previa
- Gestational age has reached 36 weeks
- History of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy
Travel by plane that is done occasionally generally does not cause problems for some pregnant women.
However, if you have to travel frequently due to work demands, pregnant women should consult a doctor first to ensure that the pregnancy remains healthy.
Traveling by car
If you choose to drive your own car, make sure the pregnant woman is in good health and take frequent breaks on the way when she starts to feel tired. This is important to ensure that pregnant women can concentrate and drive the vehicle well.
If pregnant women are planning a long-distance trip by car, consider the following tips:
- Avoid traveling alone and take a partner, relative, or friend with you if you want to travel long distances.
- Use a seat belt with the top strap criss-crossed between the breasts and the lower strap holding the stomach to reduce shock.
- Make sure the air circulation in the car remains smooth.
- Meet the body's fluid needs by regularly drinking water and bringing snacks or fruit to reduce nausea and prevent dehydration during the trip.
- Stop the trip and get out of the vehicle at least every 2 hours to reduce pressure on the bladder and improve blood circulation to the legs.
- Provide equipment, such as pillows, jackets, and medicines needed during the trip.
Traveling by ship
Traveling by sea is also quite safe when pregnant. When you want to travel by ship, there are some tips that pregnant women need to pay attention to, including:
- Check the policy of the sea transportation service provider regarding the protection of pregnant passengers.
- Make sure the sea transportation you are traveling on provides medical services for pregnant women while on the trip.
- Provide light snacks and drinks during the trip to prevent nausea and dehydration.
Apart from the above modes of transportation, pregnant women can also travel by train. However, just like the others, there are still some rules to keep in mind. Basically, traveling long distances during pregnancy is considered safe if the pregnant woman has properly prepared various needs before and during the trip as well as when she arrives at her destination.
If you still have questions about tips for traveling long distances during pregnancy or are still hesitant to travel while pregnant, pregnant women can consult a gynecologist before going on a trip.
