When is travel not recommended during pregnancy?

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor II Pham Thi Tuyet Mai - Obstetrician and Gynecologist - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.

Traveling during pregnancy is considered a form of helping pregnant women have time to rest, relax, and combine appropriate physical activity. However, pregnant women need to be fully equipped with the necessary knowledge to ensure that traveling during pregnancy is safe for both the mother and the fetus.

For most women, traveling while pregnant is safe, as long as you and your baby are healthy. Pregnant women can travel safely until the 36th week of pregnancy.

The best time to travel during pregnancy is between week 14 and week 28, which is in the second trimester. Because, most common pregnancy problems occur during the first and third trimesters. Meanwhile, in the middle stage of pregnancy, the mother's health will stabilize again, morning sickness often disappears and pregnant women can walk more easily. Pay attention to your own health to proactively decide whether to travel long distances during pregnancy.

Going out is not recommended in cases when a woman has a number of pregnancy complications, including preeclampsia, premature rupture of membranes, and preterm labor. Traveling is also not a good idea if you are pregnant with multiples.

Traveling during pregnancy is not recommended for women in areas where Zika outbreaks are occurring. Zika is a mosquito-borne disease that can cause serious birth defects. Pregnant women are also not recommended to travel to areas where there is an epidemic of malaria, a mosquito-borne disease that is dangerous for pregnant women.

There are a few things pregnant women should do to ensure a safe and comfortable trip:
Schedule a visit with an obstetrician-gynecologist before you leave. Know your due date in advance. If you have problems while traveling, make sure your caregivers know where you are. Bring any medications you may need, including those your doctor recommends, such as pain relievers, anal hemorrhoids, a first aid kit, and essential vitamins. Check that you are fully vaccinated. Calculate the time when departing to a certain destination. The fastest route is usually the best. Travel plans during pregnancy should be flexible so they can be changed easily. Consider buying travel insurance before you go.

Deep vein thrombosis is a condition in which a blood clot forms in the veins in the legs or some other area of ​​the body. The consequences can lead to dangerous complications, when the blood clot travels to the lungs. Sitting or not moving for long periods of time, such as during a long trip during pregnancy, can increase your risk of deep vein thrombosis. Pregnancy itself is an increased risk factor. If you are planning a long trip, take these steps to reduce your risk of venous thrombosis :
Drink plenty of water. Wear loose clothing. Incorporate regular walking and stretching. For example, when traveling by car, stop often to go outside and do a leg stretch.

7.1. Pregnant women traveling long distances by car During a car trip, make your driving time each day as short as possible. Always fasten your seat belt while in the car. Place the band under the hip bone, under the abdomen. Shoulder straps should come out to the side of the abdomen and cross the center of the chest. Plan to rest your car at frequent stops, so you can move and stretch your legs, to prevent blood clots from forming.

7.2. Pregnant women traveling by plane Should complete the flight before the fetus is 36 weeks old. On the other hand, there are some airlines that do not allow pregnant women to fly at all or require a medical certificate during the last month of pregnancy. For some international flights, they only accept pregnant women under 28 weeks to fly. Therefore, when planning a long trip, be sure to check the policy of the airline where you book your ticket.
Preferably choose an aisle seat so you can get up and stretch your legs. It is recommended to do this every 2 hours. Avoid consuming carbonated foods and beverages before your flight. Changes in air pressure in the cabin can be uncomfortable. Always fasten your seat belt while on the plane.
7.3. Pregnant women traveling by boat Be sure to have a doctor or nurse on board at all times. In addition, the train's scheduled stops should be where modern medical facilities are available. Before departing, pregnant women should consult a doctor to choose a suitable anti-sickness drug.
One of the biggest concerns for cruise ship passengers is the risk of norovirus infection. Norovirus is a group of viruses that cause diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain for 1 to 2 days. Humans are easily infected with this disease by eating food, drinking water, or touching surfaces that contain the virus. Therefore, it is recommended to wash your hands often while on board to limit the risk of norovirus infection. If you have diarrhea and vomiting at the same time, see your doctor right away.

Check your health insurance policy for terms of international assistance. If not, pregnant women can purchase special health care insurance for international tourists.
Travel to developing countries comes with the risk of consuming contaminated food and drinking water. Travelers can get sick if they eat raw, undercooked food or drink untreated water. Short-term acute problems are likely to occur, known as "traveler's diarrhea".
Diarrhea may be a minor problem for a non-pregnant person, but it is a big concern for pregnant women. Serious illnesses, such as hepatitis A and listeriosis, can also be spread through contaminated food and water. These diseases carry the risk of serious complications for both the pregnant woman and her unborn baby.
If you have diarrhea, you should drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration. Before treating diarrhea, find a way to contact and talk to your doctor to make sure it's safe. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid unsafe food and water.

Pregnant women should be taken to the hospital or call emergency medical services immediately if any of the following signs are detected:
Vaginal bleeding Pelvic pain, abdominal pain or contractions Water breaks (broken amniotic sac) Signs and symptoms of preeclampsia (a headache that doesn't go away, blurry spots in vision and some vision changes, swelling in the face or hands) Severe vomiting or diarrhea Signs of deep vein thrombosis. Even if the mother's health is completely normal, it is not possible to know if there are any serious problems that may occur during her travel. Therefore, while planning your trip, find the nearest hospitals or medical clinics in your destination.

Articles refer to Acog.org source