As you know, we love to travel as a family and the children certainly keep us on our toes. However, travelling while pregnant is a whole other kettle of fish! There are so many different things to consider to make sure your trip is comfortable and safe for you and your baby, at a time when you need a holiday more than ever! Here are some tips on getting medical clearance for travelling while pregnant.
When are you planning on travelling?
One of the most important things to look at when it comes to travelling pregnant is what gestation you will be at the time of going if you are planning on flying. There is no real medical concern about flying in the first trimester but between morning sickness and exhaustion, it might not be the best time for a relaxing break. In your third trimester, you are likely to be back feeling exhausted and could give birth at any point, so you might want to move a break forward a little. Most airlines will ask for a letter from your midwife if you are flying after 28 weeks and most will not let you fly after 37 weeks, so your second trimester is probably your best bet!
Get a checkup
Alongside your usual pregnancy appointments, make a specific appointment with your GP or midwife to check things such as your blood pressure, to ensure you are low-risk for flying. Another thing to check is whether your destination requires you to have any vaccines before you go. Some of these are not suitable for pregnant women so it’s certainly something that you should check before booking anything.
Carry documentation
Of course, you need to carry your maternity notes with you whenever you go anywhere, but it would also be useful to have details of any pre-existing medical problems, obstetric issues, and your blood group, just in case you need to be seen by anyone while you are in a different country. Hopefully, you won’t have to seek any medical attention, but if you do it is best to be prepared.
Research medical facilities
All being well, you won’t have to step foot in a hospital during your break, however, it is important that you know what is available near you before you book anything. Head over to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website to read up on the availability of treatment in various countries and check that there are no travel warnings – this isn’t the time to go to a remote island with no medical facilities nearby! Think carefully about the language barrier too, as you will need to be able to communicate with anyone treating you and any misunderstandings can make your treatment more difficult than it would otherwise be. Perhaps take a copy of some phrases that you may need, explaining things such as how pregnant you are, and if there is anything you are allergic to, so you can show it to a doctor if you need to.
Of course, ideally, you won’t have to worry about anything while you are enjoying a well needed holiday, but by being prepared, you can ensure that everything goes off without a hitch and you have a great time! So don’t let being pregnant put you off booking a break, after all, it might be your last for a while! Just follow our guide on medical clearance and bon voyage!
Let me know in the comments if you have travelled while pregnant and how you found it!
This is a guest post