Travel
Can I Take A Long Car Journey When I Am Pregnant?
When travelling by car, pregnant women are still required by law to wear their seatbelts. A normal three-point seatbelt is worn with the cross strap lying between the breasts. The lap belt should be placed beneath the bump of the baby and across the thighs.
Can I Fly Whilst Pregnant?
Medical checks are recommended pre and post travel so that each case can be judged on it’s own merits. Flying whilst twelve to fifiteen weeks pregnant can be risky as there is a risk of miscarriage.
Between twenty eight and thirty two weeks you are also at risk of pre-eclampsia. Long haul flights may be very uncomfortable during this time. From around twenty eight weeks, airlines may request a fitness to fly letter from your GP.
Most airlines prevent pregnant women from flying after thirty four weeks of pregnancy. There is a risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
What Do I Need To Be Aware Of If Traveling Abroad Whilst Pregnant?
Antenatal care varies between countries. How might you feel if complications arise whilst you are in a new culture and listening to a different language?
Illness in pregnancy can be severe and in serious cases can affect your unborn baby. Be careful when eating and drinking. Avoid under cooked meat, unpasteurized milk and soft cheeses and make sure you only drink bottled water. Try to remember to avoid insect bites as much as possible.
Immunization and anti-malarials can be difficult to administer when pregnant, for example, live vaccines need to be avoided altogether as their effect on the unborn child is still unknown.
Consult your GP or healthcare professional who may be able to help you decide if the importance of your trip abroad outweighs the potential risks.
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