Pregnant mothers are advised to travel in the second trimester of their pregnancies. Traveling within 12 - 16 weeks is safer and more comfortable as the risk of miscarriage is reduced. Also, within that period, most pregnant mothers no longer experience the effects of morning sickness. When your pregnancy has reached 28 weeks, you may feel uncomfortable to travel long distance because of the size of your stomach.
Regardless of the stage of your pregnancy, you should always consult your doctor for specific guidelines for your traveling trips either by car, train, or plane. Here are several useful and essential travel guidelines which many pregnant mothers have benefited from.
General Travel Guidelines:
Start your journey when you are well rested
Travel as light as possible
Use suitcases with wheels
Wear comfortable shoes and clothing
Bring along water and fruit juices and drink at least a glass every hour
Bring along high fiber and nutritious snacks
Bring along supplements, vitamins and medication that you need
Bring along your doctor's contact details.
If possible, travel with your spouse, a friend or a relative
Traveling by Air:
No reports have shown that commercial air travel could harm the health of your growing baby.
Here are some guidelines when traveling on air:
Request for an aisle seat so that you can move freely throughout the cabin.
Avoid drinking tea and coffee as these will cause fluid retention.
Move around the cabin frequently to ensure smooth circulation of the blood.
Stretch your legs a few times every hour to avoid muscle cramps and numbness.
In order to position your seatbelt, sit as upright as you can. Place the lap belt under your belly as
low as possible.
Traveling by Car:
One of the most important guides when traveling by car is to fasten your seatbelt. In this way, you baby is well cushioned by your body. This safety precaution will not harm your baby. In order to position your seatbelt, sit as upright as you can. Place the lap belt under your belly as low as possible. The shoulder belt should cross your chest between your breasts.
Other important guidelines when traveling by car:
Wear you seatbelt firmly.
Bring along water and drink frequently.
Plan frequent stops in order for you to visit the bathroom.
Avoid carbonated drinks and high-fat snacks or food at car stops.
Lastly, do enjoy yourself when traveling. If you are expecting your first child, you should really enjoy the opportunity to travel with ease, at least for a couple of month without having to take along any baby toys, bottles, diapers and so on. With ample preparation and the above traveling guidelines to safeguard yourself from any traveling stress, you are sure to have an exciting and relaxing trip.
