Traveling while pregnant is not prohibited. However, with a growing belly, a woman should consider its associated risks.
Always consider in advance which mode of transport you will choose and how much time the journey will take. At the same time, carefully study the conditions of travel insurance. They may surprise you. Lower pressure, slower reaction to external stimuli, a stomach that feels like it’s on water, and other symptoms can complicate travel for pregnant women. Whether you commute to work by car every day or go on vacation by plane, consult a doctor or gynecologist. You will receive the necessary advice from him, and thanks to timely preparation, possible complications will not surprise you so much.
Driving to work
Work is a fixed part of life and the daily commute by car is no obstacle. However, what may surprise you are slower reactions and reflexes. Therefore, on longer routes, it is better to take short breaks, continuously replenish fluids and monitor your sugar level. Due to the numerous shocks, don’t forget the special safety belt designed for pregnant women. If you have a long journey ahead of you and she will drive alone, consider traveling by train. In modern wagons, you will hardly feel the jolts, and the seats provide enough space for sore and tired legs.
We are going on vacation
Because of the increased pressure and lower oxygen levels, air travel always poses a certain risk for a pregnant woman. The second trimester is considered the safest, and you can fly without major restrictions until the 28th week. Between 28 and 36 weeks, airlines often only allow mothers to board with a medical certificate. From the 36th week, no airlines will transport you.
More information about flying during pregnancy in this article >>
Pregnancy and Swimming on Holiday
From the 7th month of pregnancy, swimming in ponds, thermal spas, or swimming pools is not recommended. Hormones make your lady parts more prone to infections. In this regard, the best choice for swimming is salty seawater. But find a calm place without big waves and stick to the shore to be safe. After bathing, ideally, shower immediately with clean water and treat your skin.
Likewise, don’t overdo it with the sun – you shouldn’t sunbathe for more than 20 minutes a day during pregnancy. Slather on sunscreen and get a decent scarf or hat to protect yourself from sunburn.
Pay attention to travel insurance
Mothers are sometimes surprised by unconventional conditions. Most insurance companies have clearly defined rules until which week of pregnancy they reimburse any medical expenses. The most common boundary is the 22nd week, but the twentieth week is no exception. In the event that you travel abroad later, read the contract carefully and find out about the scope of performance. Rather, the exception is insurance companies with whom you can arrange insurance between the 26th and 32nd week.
Insurance exclusions
One of the most important parts of the contract is the so-called medical expense insurance. It includes a complex of care abroad from medical treatment, hospital stay, medicines prescribed by a doctor, transport from the place of residence to the hospital to transport back home, etc. a trip abroad or a chronic illness may not be covered by medical expenses. An exception may be complications in the first six months of pregnancy. However, each insurance company has different rules for the subsequent payment of funds. If you encounter a problem that you must have known about within a certain period of time before departure, you do not need to receive anything from the insurance company.
When not to traveling while pregnant
It is not recommended to travel in case of high-risk or multiple pregnancies (if you are expecting twins), if you have gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, problems with the placenta, are dirty, or suffer from any pregnancy complications. You should not try to have a chance, even if you have given birth prematurely or had a miscarriage in the past.
