Pregnancy is certainly the thing most eagerly awaited by every woman. However, sometimes pregnancy becomes an obstacle for a woman when they want to travel. Of course, you have to follow some rules which of course make a woman who is pregnant do this. However, did you know that the gestation period around the 14th to 28th week is indeed the best time to travel for pregnant women.
Usually, when gestational age enters the first 12 weeks and has entered the 36th week. For this reason, when pregnant women have entered 36 weeks of gestation, they are advised not to travel too far. This is because traveling too far can put a pregnancy at risk. Meanwhile, at a young gestational age, the risk of miscarriage is the highest. Of course, the risk of miscarriage in early pregnancy will increase again until the end of pregnancy.
However, not every woman who becomes pregnant has a high risk of pregnancy when they travel. You can of course still travel even if you are pregnant. However, you still have to maintain your pregnancy by paying attention to some things that you really have to do.
If you intend to travel long distances even though you are pregnant. It’s a good idea to consult your midwife or obstetrician first. That way, health workers will provide the best advice for you to do and not do things that are prohibited when traveling to pregnant women. When you want to travel, of course, the health worker team will provide directions and also a destination that is very safe for pregnant women. You certainly will not be advised to visit areas with high levels of infection and viruses such as malaria areas.
Of course, traveling can be done through various types of vehicles. For that, when traveling, there are things you have to consider, namely what vehicle you will use. Here are some modes of transportation that you can consider and also pay attention to when you are pregnant, including:
Traveling by car
Using a car to travel is familiar to us. Here are some guidelines you can do when traveling by car while pregnant, including:
- Avoid using the car alone over long distances. You are certainly advised to go with your partner and friends.
- Keep the air circulating in the car smoothly
- You must use safety soap that is used across the lower strap and also the breast
- Before traveling, you can meet your drinking water needs and try to bring drinking water as well as food
- To reduce pressure on your bladder, you can get off the vehicle at least every two hours. Walking and also urinating can reduce pressure on the bladder.
Traveling by plane
Apart from using a car, the vehicle that is usually used is an airplane. Here are some things you can do by plane, including:
- You can check the policy of the airline you are traveling with whether or not it is allowed or not to accommodate women who are pregnant. This is of course related to the gestational age of the woman.
- When you reserve a seat, you can reserve the most comfortable seat. You can of course choose a seat close to the aisle so you can easily get in and out of the toilet.
- If you are 28 weeks pregnant, you may ask for a certificate from your doctor so you don’t take any risks.
- You of course have to consume enough water. When in the aircraft cabin because it allows the temperature in the aircraft cabin to be hotter.
- So that the feet do not swell, you can cover the feet by using long socks or stockings.
- Make sure to wear a seat belt that attaches to the lower abdomen to keep it from turbulence.
- When boarding a plane, you are advised to make body movements every 30 minutes so that blood circulation becomes smooth. Flights of more than five hours are certainly very risky for developing blood clots.
However, there are a number of things you should consider when traveling by plane, including:
- The baby will be born prematurely
- Placenta disruption will occur in your uterus
- Having reached 36 weeks of gestation, it is advisable not to travel by plane.
- Based on your medical history, many doctors do not recommend that you travel by plane.
Traveling By Sea Transportation
Traveling by sea transportation is safe, but if you are pregnant you should consider several things, including:
- Check the sea transport policy in advance for regulations regarding the protection of women who are pregnant. This is because there are several companies that do not carry pregnant passengers because they don’t want to take a high enough risk.
- Has the sea transportation provided medical services during the trip, especially for pregnant women.
- It’s best to have snacks that aren’t greasy, as they can relieve nausea or seasickness.
Tips for Safe Travel for Pregnant Women
Pregnant women, of course, have to do a few tips when they want to travel, including:
- Don’t travel alone
- Have a hospital phone number you can reach as quickly as possible
- Make sure to use a comfortable and safe vehicle while traveling. We recommend that you choose a vehicle that has been tested to provide maximum service.
- Always carry bottled water while traveling. Of course, traveling must pay attention to fluid intake in the body.
- Always prepare healthy food supplies during the trip.
- Do not eat unhealthy snacks because it will be dangerous for the health of pregnant women.
- Do not carry excessive items and look forward to being a burden to you.
- Pay attention to your physical condition when you are going to travel quite a distance.
Minimizing the risks so that your pregnancy remains safe even though traveling is a must for you. This is because your pregnancy is very important, but of course there are other things that you cannot leave. In addition, you can do the methods and tips that we have mentioned above so that you continue to travel safely and also pleasantly.
Some things that you have to consider are of course a big homework for those of you who are pregnant. This is because women who are pregnant have a greater risk than women who are not pregnant. Those are some safe tips that you can do when traveling, especially for pregnant women. Hope it is useful!