Aleney de Winter from Out & About With Kids shares her top tips for travelling while pregnant and having a brilliant babymoon.
The good news for expectant mums looking for a little relaxation before ‘me time’ becomes ‘we time’ is that as long as you’re healthy and organised, pregnancy should be no barrier to travel.
Unless you’re experiencing a high-risk pregnancy, travelling with a baby on board is eminently doable. In fact, for first-time mums, it may just be the last time, for a long time, you’ll travel unencumbered!
The key is to talk to your doctor first, time it well and choose a destination which allows for lots of rest and relaxation, while catering to your growing bump’s needs.
And think hard about the kind of holiday you’re after. This is certainly not the time to be base-jumping in the Venezuelan jungle, scuba-diving through a shipwreck or trekking through the Himalayas … pregnancy makes women far more vulnerable to altitude sickness and baby needs plenty of oxygen.
This is a time for planning nothing more labour intensive than a trip to the day spa for a prenatal massage. Just remember that saunas and hot spas are out as overheating is bad for bub. And it is best to avoid any travel to developing nations as local medical care may not be up to scratch.
Pregnant women can safely visit many places, but just use a little common sense. Travel to areas where malaria is prevalent is particularly unwise as a pregnant woman is twice as likely to be bitten by a mosquito due to increased heat production and blood circulation. And always check with your doctor before booking a flight to any country that requires vaccinations, as some can pose risks to your unborn baby.
Most of all just be prepared to chill out. Put your feet up, your sunnies on and simply loll about on the beach with a good book while your partner waits on you – hand, foot and belly!
Here are our top 6 pregnancy travel tips.
1. Travel in your second trimester
Though every pregnancy is different, for most women, the second trimester is the best time to travel as their nausea has generally subsided and their expanding belly is still small enough to move around with ease. That doesn’t mean women can’t travel during the rest of their pregnancy, but your doctor can advise you.
2. Book travel insurance
Purchasing travel insurance is vital for any overseas vacation, but even more so for expecting women.
3. Keep your files on hand
Carry a copy of your maternity notes, in case you do need to be admitted to hospital.
4. Be prepared
Pack a pregnancy specific medical kit (and keep it in your carry-on luggage). At a minimum this should include oral rehydration salts, pregnancy multi-vitamins, preparations your doctor may have prescribed to treat common pregnancy ailments like heartburn, and any prescribed medications.
5. Eat smart
It is extremely important to be careful about what you eat and drink whenever you travel but never more than when you are eating for two. Use bottled water and avoid eating food that could have been washed in tap water, regardless of whether the tap water is considered “safe”. And make sure that meat and seafood is fresh and cooked thoroughly.
6. Air time
Most airlines are happy to accommodate pregnant travellers up to a certain cut-off date (generally around 35-36 weeks) but be sure to let them know that you are pregnant regardless so to ensure the in-flight meal service is pregnancy safe. Also request an aisle seat near the bathrooms to ensure that those all too frequent bathroom breaks pregnant mothers need can be made with ease.
Read next …
If you’re about to head off on a Babymoon or dashing off interstate for a quick trip to see the folks before baby comes along we’ve got a couple of other articles you might like to read next.
• Rules for international plane travel during your third trimester
• Pregnancy and domestic plane travel: what you need to know
Ask another mum …
If you still have questions about flying during your pregnancy, there are hundreds of pregnant mums in our Due Date Facebook groups who are eager to help, all you have to is join a group and ask.
Click below and join your group today!
