Travelling when Pregnant

Article

Jun 22, 2020

This article discusses potential problems of travelling when pregnant and what to do if travelling is unavoidable.

By law, you still have to wear a seatbelt during pregnancy

If travel during pregnancy is unavoidable for you, and if you are worried that it is not safe, then follow the simple tips below, and things should be all right.

Car:

By law, you still have to wear a seatbelt during pregnancy
The waist strap goes under your bump
The chest strap goes above your bump
In the latter stages of pregnancy, your reactions may be slower, so bear this in mind when driving
Allow more time for journeys
Try not to take long journeys on your own
Take regular breaks, even if you're not driving
If you're driving and start to feel tired, dizzy or unwell, pull over
Take your mobile phone with you and make sure it's charged
It's a good idea to have breakdown assistance. If your car breaks down, tell the operator you're pregnant and they'll make you a priority

Before booking a holiday, ask yourself:

How pregnant will you be by then?
Will you want to go on this kind of holiday then?
Will you need any immunizations? There may be some you're not able to have (contact your GP about this)
Can you speak the language? This would be important if you need medical attention
Are the food and water safe? It's important to avoid tummy upsets
Have you got travel insurance and does it cover your potential needs as an expectant mum?

Plane:

Before booking, check that the airline, your doctor and insurance company are all happy for you to fly
You are safe to fly up to 28 weeks if you are having a straightforward pregnancy and have suffered no bleeding or medical conditions. You can fly up to 32 weeks if all is well and you have a letter from your doctor
Pregnancy increases the risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), which you can get from sitting in the same position for too long. Your doctor can give you advice about reducing the risk, including exercises and special socks
Take your maternity notes or card with you
Ask for an aisle seat
Avoid the back seats as there's usually less room
If you get motion sickness, ask for a seat near the front

Disclaimer: This content is shared for informational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for professional/medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We recommended that you always seek the advice of your healthcare professional for any questions you may have regarding a medical condition/specific situation.

References:

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