Navigating Travel During Pregnancy: Essential Advice

Are you curious about how to make your travels safe and stress-free during pregnancy? Get ready to discover essential tips for hitting the road, air, or sea while expecting. Join me, Carey, on Parenting Powerhouse as we uncover why the second trimester is often the ideal time for travelling and the must-know advice from healthcare providers before you embark on any journey. From preventing blood clots and staying hydrated to ensuring you always have your prenatal records, we cover everything to keep you and your baby safe and comfortable.

Are you wondering which mode of travel is best for you? We break down the specifics for driving, flying, and even cruising with practical recommendations like the ideal seatbelt positions and in-flight exercises. Learn how to choose a suitable destination, research local medical facilities, and avoid risky activities. Plus, we share tips on food and water safety to keep you healthy throughout your trip. Tune in for a comprehensive guide to travelling confidently and easily during this special time in your life.

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Episode Transcript

Carey Donohoe (00:00):
Hi everyone.
Today's podcast is titled SafeTravelling During Pregnancy.
Hello and welcome back toParenting Powerhouse, brought to
you by Parenting Genie.
I'm Carey and today we'rediving into a topic that many
expectant mums might be curiousabout Safe Travelling During

(00:20):
Pregnancy.
Just because you're expectingdoesn't mean you have to be
housebound.
With some essential precautions, you can still enjoy, get away
or visit family and friends.
So let's jump into how to makeyour travel safe, comfortable
and enjoyable during pregnancy.
First and foremost, timing iseverything when it comes to

(00:42):
travel.
While each pregnancy is unique,many doctors agree that the
second trimester between weeks14 and 28 is often the best time
to hit the road or take to theskies.
Why the second trimester?
Well, early pregnancy symptomslike morning sickness and
fatigue have usually subsidedand your belly is still

(01:04):
manageable, making moving aroundeasier.
However, checking in with yourhealthcare provider before
planning trips is crucial.
They can assess your health andgive you the green light to
travel safely.
Let's break down travel bymodes of transportation, as each
has its recommendations.
Modes of transportation, aseach has its recommendations.

(01:26):
Driving is often the mostflexible option.
You can stop whenever you needto, which is important for
preventing one of the majorconcerns during pregnancy blood
clots.
Blood circulation slows downwhen sitting for long periods,
increasing the risk of clotsforming, especially in your legs
.
That's why it's important totake breaks every couple of

(01:47):
hours, get out of the car,stretch, walk around for a few
minutes and keep that bloodflowing, and, of course, always
wear your seatbelt correctly.
The lap belt should bepositioned under your belly, low
down on your hips, and theshoulder belt should go between
your breasts.
This keeps you and your babysafe in case of an accident.

(02:11):
Now, if you plan to fly, you cantypically travel up to 36 weeks
.
Although this varies by airline, always double-check their
policies before booking yourflight.
An aisle seat is your best bet.
It lets you get up for thebathroom breaks and stretch your
legs easily, just like whendriving.

(02:32):
Moving around periodicallyduring a flight helps reduce the
risk of blood clots.
You can also do simple in-seatexercises like ankle circles and
flexing your feet to keep theblood flowing.
Stay hydrated.
That's equally important.
Aeroplane cabins arenotoriously dry, and dehydration

(02:55):
is not your friend duringpregnancy, so drink plenty of
water throughout the flight.
Another travel option toconsider is a cruise, but be
mindful that many cruise lineshave pregnancy restrictions, so
check their policies beforebooking.
Additionally, if you'veexperienced motion sickness in

(03:16):
the past, the rocking of theship could worsen nausea during
pregnancy, so take that intoaccount.
Now, no matter your travel mode, it's really important to pack
your prenatal records and yourdoctor's contact information.
Having these handy can providepeace of mind in case of an
emergency.

(03:37):
It's also wise to do a littleresearch on the medical
facilities at your destination.
Knowing where the nearesthospital or clinic is located
could make all the difference ifsomething unexpected happens.
Now let's discuss yourdestination.
Not all destinations are idealfor pregnant travellers.

(04:00):
Areas with disease outbreaks orthose that require vaccines
that aren't safe for pregnantwomen are off limits.
You should also be cautiousabout travelling to high
altitude locations if you're notaccustomed to it, as lower
oxygen levels and high altitudescan cause complications for

(04:21):
both you and your baby.
For both you and your baby, agreat tip is to pick a
destination where you can relax,stay safe and enjoy yourself
without any additional stress.
When you arrive at yourdestination, make sure to take

(04:41):
it easy.
Adventurous activities like ziplining and scuba diving or
anything that could harm you oryour baby is off limits.
Instead, choose gentleactivities like sightseeing,
walking or swimming.
Prenatal yoga classes, ifavailable, are an excellent way
to stretch and relax whilekeeping your body active.

(05:01):
Food and water safety arecritical, especially when
traveling internationally.
Be cautious about drinking tapwater in places where it's not
guaranteed safe.
Stick to bottled water and onlyconsume well cooked foods to
minimize the risk of foodborneillness, which can be
particularly dangerous duringpregnancy.

(05:24):
Throughout your trip, the mostimportant thing to do is listen
to your body.
If you're tired oruncomfortable, don't push
through it.
Take breaks, hydrate and rest.
Pregnancy can make travel morechallenging, but it's still
possible to enjoy yourself ifyou pace things according to how
you feel.
If anything feels off or if youhave concerns, seek medical

(05:49):
attention as soon as possible.
Remember, these are generalguidelines and your situation
may require differentprecautions.
Always consult your healthcareprovider before planning a trip
and don't hesitate to contactthem if you have any questions
or concerns during your travels.
That's all for today's episodeon safe traveling during

(06:12):
pregnancy.
I hope these tips helped youfeel more prepared and confident
as you plan your trips.
In our next episode, we'll divedeep into building a support
network for your pregnancyjourney, which is important for
your mental and emotionalwell-being.
And, before we wrap up, ifyou're ever unsure about

(06:34):
something during pregnancy,whether it's travel related or
any other aspect of parenting?
Don't forget the parentinggenie has you covered.
We we offer Parenting LiveExpert 24-7 services where you
can connect instantly with amaternal child health nurse who
can provide real-time advice andsupport, whether it's questions

(06:56):
about pregnancy, parenting anewborn or even handling toddler
tantrums.
Our experts are here to guideyou whenever you need it.
For more tips and insights,visit our website at
parentinggeniecomau.
We also have genie chat, whichprovides instant parenting
answers from pregnancy toraising a five-year-old.

(07:19):
Until next time, take care ofyourself and happy travels.