may02-pregnant-travel

Summer is often the favourite season for many and perhaps the best time of the year to go on vacation. Just because you’re pregnant, that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on a summer vacation but there are some important things to remember. Take a look at this blog post for top tips for pregnant women going on vacation.

Choose the right destination

You can go wherever you like really, but long haul flights will be considerably more uncomfortable and have a different set of risks compared to short haul. It’s also worth taking note of the airline’s pregnancy policy as many won’t let you fly after a certain date.

If you do choose to do a long haul flight, be sure to speak to your doctor before you go and be aware of any additional exercises that you will need to do. With a higher risk of blood clots and thrombosis, it’s important that you move around regularly.

Pack the right clothes

This is especially important if you’re going somewhere hot. Pack loose fitting clothes that are made of natural fibres like cotton or linen to help keep you cool in the heat. If you can, avoid being in direct sunlight for too long and choose shaded areas instead, this will allow you to still be outside and soaking up the atmosphere.

Try and relax

One of our best tips for pregnant women is to try and relax and enjoy the holiday. It may be that you’re used to an action-packed adventure holiday full of activities. Now that you’re pregnant, it’s a great opportunity to take things slower and to enjoy your time. You can still do activities – albeit at a slower pace than usual – but you have the opportunity to experience things you wouldn’t have normally.

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Read More:
What to Expect During the Third Trimester of Pregnancy
Guide to Sleeping Well During Pregnancy
Early Signs of Labour for First-Time Mums-to-Be
Pregnant Women’s Guide to Prevent Dehydration During Summer

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Enjoy food

Holidays are a great time to experience new foods. Don’t let your pregnancy stand in the way of this; just remember to take into consideration what it is you’re eating. Make sure food hygiene is at the top of your list – avoid things like salads, ice creams or ice cubes in drinks if you are concerned. As well as enjoying food, make sure you keep hydrated too.

Make sure your vaccinations are up to date

If you can choose a destination that doesn’t require vaccinations, this is a great tip for pregnant women. This isn’t always the case so it’s important to check that your vaccinations are up to date. In some scenarios, there are concerns that the bacteria in some vaccinations can actually harm the baby. Speak to your doctor about this and find out what vaccinations you might need and whether or not they’re safe.

Know your local medical facilities

Being prepared in the case of an emergency is incredibly important. Should anything happen to you or baby, you’re going to want to be able to do something about it as quick as possible. One of our best tips for pregnant women is to make sure you know where the medical facilities are in the local area and to take any medical documentation with you. In the event that you may need treatment, it will be easier for the doctors to determine your current condition if you have your paperwork, thus allowing them to treat you quicker.

Resources:
https://www.babycentre.co.uk/a6977/10-top-tips-for-pregnant-travellers 
http://www.bounty.com/family/travel/top-travel-tips/going-on-holiday-when-pregnant 

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