Travelling is not only for youth because even pregnant women can do it if they can. However, it might not be so easy for women to go travelling during their pregnancy. There are many factors to be considered to travel during pregnancy and it is not only for the sake of the mother but the baby as well.
There are risky times when pregnant women are not recommended to go for travelling. There are also some places which are not recommended to visit by them in the first place for safety reason. In addition, the condition of women in normal situation and during pregnancy is different.
There are many times when pregnancy cause some discomfort even without travelling as the excuse.
How to travel safely even during pregnancy?
Pregnancy is a blessing for women even when it sometimes limits them from doing activities they can do while they are in normal situation. However, it doesn’t mean pregnant women cannot go travelling at all. They can still go travelling by paying attention more on important things as the following:
- First, it is important to choose the time to travel wisely. The first and third trimesters are the time when emergencies are likely to happen so it is not recommended to go travelling in those periods. It is more recommended to travel during 14 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. That is when morning sickness is less and the size of the belly is not big yet. So, it is better to travel during this time for convenience and safety.
- Travel comfortably is recommended during pregnancy. It means that seat choice is important especially when the destination is quite far from home. Choosing an aisle seat is more comfortable for pregnant women because they tend to go to the restroom more often than normal people do.
- Keeping pregnant women hydrated is essential during travel. The cabin of transportation tends to be narrow and makes pregnant women less comfortable. It can cause to cramp, nausea, and fatigue. Cabins also have low humidity level which is the major cause of dehydration. To prevent from serious effect, it is highly recommended for pregnant women to drink water regularly, and have healthy snacks to keep blood sugar in healthy level.
- It is not recommended for pregnant women to carry heavy weight especially during travel. Thus, it is highly suggested that they pack light instead. Minor toiletries such as toothbrush or toothpaste can be purchased at destination so it is better to pack only the most essential things. Carrying too much weight can cause some complications to pregnant women.
- Pregnant women should plan travel thoroughly ahead of time. This includes checkup entire health condition with doctor and consults potential risks, research destination to know where emergency options are, prepare budget properly, etc. During travel, it is also highly recommended to take a break once in a while. Travelling during pregnancy can cause extreme exhaustion and stress. Thus, having proper rest by taking breaks or napping is highly recommended.