Whether you’re going by car, train, or boat, traveling during pregnancy is generally safe. It just takes a little extra planning. Here are some helpful tips and considerations to keep in mind.

In our last blog post we outlined the updated air travel guidelines for pregnant women from the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Today, we’re giving you our top six tips to make the most out of any travel situation during pregnancy.

Baby, you can drive my car

The main risk while driving is blood clots. If you’ll be going on a long car ride, be sure to plan plenty of rest stops. Get out and walk around every few hours. In between stops, you can do calf exercises by flexing and extending your ankles and wiggling your feet.

Make sure your seatbelt is fastened properly. The hip belt should sit under your belly and low on your hip bones. The shoulder belt should go between your breasts and to the side of your belly.

Keep airbags turned on. In the event of a crash, the benefits of using the airbags outweigh the risks.

The wheels on the bus

Traveling by bus is similar to the car but presents some additional challenges. You will not be in charge of the frequency of stops, so be sure to do your calf exercises often. Bathrooms are small and aisles are narrow. If you need to get up to use the restroom while the bus is moving, use rails or seat backs for balance.

Keep the train a-rollin’

Trains present many of the same obstacles are buses. However, they generally aren’t as cramped. Stay seated while the train is in motion, and if you must get up, use seatbacks for balance.

Don’t rock the boat, baby

Going on a cruise can be a bit more challenging. As relaxing as it sounds, WebMD recommends avoiding going a cruise for the first time during pregnancy. If you do decide to cruise, there are some important precautions to keep in mind.

Being on a boat can exacerbate nausea. Check with your provider about the safety of seasickness medication for pregnant women. As a non-medical alternative, you can try seasickness bands. Make sure there is a medical provider on board the ship. Additionally, map out modern medical facilities at all ports-of-call in case of an emergency.

Norovirus is a common concern on cruise ships. For pregnant women, this can pose a risk to the unborn baby. If you experience vomiting or diarrhea, do your best to stay hydrated. Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance are risk factors for pre-term labor.

It’s not the journey, it’s the destination

Depending on where you are traveling, you’ll need to keep certain factors in mind. If you plan on traveling internationally, plan the trip earlier in your pregnancy. Most airlines will not allow you to fly after 36 weeks. Other recommendations state that women should use caution when traveling after 32 weeks.

Scout out medical facilities in the area and bring your prenatal records and any pertinent ultrasounds with you. Check in with the CDC by calling 800.311.1345 for safety information and immunization recommendations.

Be selective about the types of food and beverages you consume. The American Pregnancy Association recommends only drinking bottled water and canned juices or soft drinks. Make sure milk is pasteurized. Do not eat any fresh fruits or vegetables unless they can be peeled (like oranges or bananas) or they are cooked thoroughly. Make sure all meat is cooked completely.

Other considerations and some reasons to stay home

While travel during pregnancy is generally safe, ACOG states that you should not travel if you are at risk for certain complications. These include preeclampsia, pre-mature rupture of the membranes, and preterm labor.

Look into purchasing travel insurance. This way, you’ll be covered if there are unexpected, last-minute changes.

Of course, it’s always helpful to consult with your provider before making travel arrangements. You’ll also want to schedule a check-up before your trip. Program your provider’s number into your cell phone so you can easily reach out if needed.

Pack plenty of healthy snacks and eat small frequent meals. This is extra important in planes since most carriers no longer provide meals. Bring any items that will help keep you comfortable while you’re away, and of course, don’t forget to pack any vitamins and medications.

Most importantly: have fun!

While it does require a little extra forethought, traveling during your pregnancy can be a great way to relax and unwind. Book that trip and enjoy!

If you are planning to travel via plane during your pregnancy for work or for fun (babymoon, anyone?), you may be wondering: is it safe? If so, what are the risks?

The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) recently updated their Committee Opinion on air travel during pregnancy. We’ll break down the basics and help you plan appropriately.

The most important takeaway? Flying is indeed safe during pregnancy for most women. According to ACOG: “cohort studies suggest no adverse pregnancy outcomes for occasional travelers”.

Individual airlines will vary, but most carriers allow women to fly up until 36 weeks gestation. It may be less for international flights. Some airlines also require proof of gestational age. Be sure to check in with your carrier about their specific guidelines.

Additional Considerations for the Pregnant Traveler

Aside from a few suggested precautions, pregnant women can fly safely while observing the same rules are the general population. ACOG recommends the following:

• Buckle Up: Due to the unpredictable nature of turbulence, ACOG recommends that pregnant women wear seatbelts continuously while seated. This will lessen the risk of trauma, should severe turbulence occur. Pregnant women should make sure the belt is placed low on the hip bones; it should not sit over the abdomen.
• Minimize “morning” sickness: Nausea can be a double-whammy while flying during pregnancy. If you are prone to increased nausea, due to air travel or morning sickness (or both), talk to your provider about preventative medication. It’s also helpful to avoid any gas-producing foods and beverages prior to boarding. Trapped gasses can expand at high altitudes (which could make for an uncomfortable flight).
• Keep your legs comfortable: For pregnant women, lack of leg room may not be the only discomfort during air travel. Thankfully, ACOG notes that the risk for things such as swelling of the legs, or blood clots are low. However, there are some additional preventative measures you may want to consider, especially for longer flights. These include the use of support stockings, periodic movement of your legs and feet, avoiding restrictive clothing, and of course, making sure you are drinking enough water.

So, what are the risks?

As noted above, the risks are minimal for women with a healthy pregnancy who travel occasionally.

Conversely, air travel is not recommended at any time for “women with medical or obstetric conditions that may be exacerbated by flight or may require emergency care”.

Frequent flyers, or aircrew members, may also need to consider additional precautions. While the risks of radiation exposure to the fetus are negligible – it’s highly unlikely that an occasional flyer would exceed the current acceptable limits of radiation – frequent flyers could exceed the accepted limits.

In addition to speaking with your provider, and/or your carrier, ACOG recommends reviewing What Aircrews Should Know About Their Occupational Exposure to Ionizing Radiation and In-Flight Radiation Exposure.

In summary: if your pregnancy is going well, go ahead and book that flight!

Remember the special precautions above to make your flight as comfortable as possible. If you work for an airline or fly frequently for any other reason, be sure to take the extra step to educate yourself about in-flight radiation exposure. Check in with your individual airline carrier and your medical provider with any other questions.

When you learn how to be a doula, you learn about the different types of birth, the stats that surround each one and the benefits of each. Every year in the U.S., over 80% of women have an epidural during labor and over 30% of women give birth via cesarean. Another option for delivery that some women choose is for a natural, or unmedicated, birth. Because most women have pain medication, new moms usually don’t remember that natural birth is an option. But, there are hidden benefits of a natural birth that you should be aware of when considering how you want your birthing experience to go.

1. Labor Is Often Shorter

When epidurals and other pain relief methods are used during labor and delivery, they often interfere with the body’s natural way of laboring, resulting in slower contractions. Additionally, when the pain medications take effect, many women are no longer able to feel their contractions, therefore, they don’t know when it is time to push. By not pushing at key times with adequate strength, the laboring process can be prolonged. A natural birth allows women to work with the rhythm of their bodies, resulting in a shorter labor.

2. Breastfeeding is Facilitated more Easily

Babies that are born via a natural birth tend to be more alert and have a heightened interest in breastfeeding. What most women don’t realize is that the pain medication that they are given to help with the contractions is passed on to their babies, which can impact breastfeeding.

3. Faster Recovery Time

Women who have a natural childbirth will often feel great shortly after delivery. This is due impart to the fact that no numbing drugs were used and no needles were stuck into their bodies. Mothers who go through a natural birth are able to get up, walk around, and shower shortly after birth if they desire. During labor, the body releases endorphins which act as calming and pain-relieving hormones. Women who have a natural birth will release more endorphins than women who utilize pain medication.

4. Increased Connection with the Experience

When no drugs are used during labor, mothers are more alert and aware of the experience, providing them with an increased connection with their baby. Additionally, these women are connected to their bodies in a profound way. When medications are used, a women’s senses are dulled which can result in a physical detachment from the experience.

5. Natural Childbirth is Empowering

Women who go through childbirth without the assistance of medication, experience feelings of empowerment and confidence. The ability to give birth naturally and conquer the harsh demands of labor often causes women to feel stronger and less fearful about facing other challenges in life.

Giving birth and being part of the birthing experience is an unforgettable experience. As a part of your course study on how to be a doula, you’ll not only learn about the different types of birth, you’ll also get to experience live births in-person.

Throughout pregnancy, stomach problems are common. Part of studying and becoming a doula includes helping clients understand their bodies better and to distinguish if they are having contractions or maybe just gas. So, when you experience tummy troubles, you might find yourself wondering if it’s just gas pains. As pregnancy progresses, hormones can slow down the digestive process. As your baby grows and begins to squeeze your abdomen, most women experience gas, indigestion, and other tummy troubles.

Here are a few questions to ask to help you determine the problem.

• Is it regular? Contractions develop a rhythm and increase in frequency. On the other hand, gas pains will come and go, with an irregular rhythm that can’t be timed. Additionally, gas pains can be sharper pains, opposed to contractions which are similar to strong menstrual cramps.
• Are you experiencing any other problems? When in labor, there is a lot more going on than just pain. Look for other symptoms of labor.
• Have you eaten anything that could be causing gas? Because your growing baby is putting pressure on your digestive system, food can cause gas pains which are sometimes misinterpreted as contractions. Common causes include cauliflower, broccoli, and beans. If gas pains persist, try cutting out gas-inducing foods from your diet until after the baby arrives.
• Is your belly tightening? Gas pains cause a bloated feeling in your stomach, whereas labor pains include a muscle contraction across your abdomen. If you feel that your stomach tightens up every time you experience pain, you are most likely experiencing contractions and not gas pains.
• Can you get relief? Generally, gas pains are relieved after using the restroom or with the assistance of an antacid. If this is the case, it means that your baby isn’t ready to greet the world just yet.

Becoming a doula and a mother means more than just finding out the gender of the baby and knowing the difference between a broken water and a mucus plug. The more you know about what to expect during pregnancy, labor, and delivery the more prepared you will be. Get ready for the most rewarding job you’ll ever have!

It is not always easy to detect when labor is starting—even for moms who have had babies before. This is because many of the early signs of labor are misinterpreted. Whether you are expecting a baby or you are studying to become a doula, you’ll need and want to know what to look for when going into labor. So, before you grab your birthing bag and call your doula, here a few signs to look for that will indicate that you are truly going into labor.

Your Water Breaks

This is probably the most obvious sign of labor. Most women report experiencing regular contractions before their water broke. When your water breaks, chances are you won’t experience a big gush of water, generally it is going to be a small leak as your baby’s head acts like a cork and prevents too much liquid from leaking out.

Once your water breaks, in most cases it means that labor is fast approaching. On average, 80% of women whose water breaks go into labor within the next 12 hours, and those who don’t are generally induced due to the heightened risk of infection after the amniotic sac has ruptured.

Strong, Regular Contractions

Contractions are another sure sign that labor is approaching, but many women mistake Braxton Hicks (practice contractions) as being the real thing. The best way to determine between real contractions and practice contractions, is to remember that practice contractions rarely get strong or regular and generally go away. Because practice contractions can be brought on by hunger or dehydration, eating or drinking can sometimes put them to rest.

On the other hand, real contractions only get stronger and more regular leading up to delivery. For most, real contractions start as a cramping feeling that progresses into a discernible contraction as they intensify. They can start out ten minutes apart, becoming more frequent as they slowly progress to eight, five and eventually three minutes apart.

Discharge

Nature’s way of protecting your baby from infection is for the cervix to remain closed and plugged with mucus throughout your pregnancy. As the time for your baby to arrive draws near and you progress toward labor, the cervix will begin to open (dilate) and soften in preparation for delivery. When this happens, the mucus that has accumulated there during the course of your pregnancy will dislodge, which can measure up to a teaspoon of mucus. When it is dispelled it generally presents itself as either a blob which is also known as the mucus plug or a runny smear. In some instances, blood vessels can be torn as the cervix begins to open. When this happens, the discharge will become tinted with blood (bloody show). This indicates that the cervix is changing, but labor can still be hours, days or potentially weeks away.

Diarrhea

During the first stage of labor, the body produces a group of hormones known as prostaglandins. The body uses these to cause the uterus to contract and soften, and dilate the cervix. At the same time, prostaglandins can overstimulate the bowels in some women, causing frequent stools or diarrhea.

Intense Back Pain

Most women experience back pain throughout their pregnancy. It is when the back pain intensifies that you may be experiencing “back labor.” Back labor is common, with nearly 1/3 of all pregnant women experiencing it. Back labor occurs when the baby descends with either its face or skull pressing on the mother’s spine. When this happens, the mother will experience constant pain that is concentrated in the back but may radiate to the abdomen. Whether it is true back labor or not, extreme back pains are a sure sign that your body is getting ready to deliver your baby.

To become a doula, training includes learning signs of labor and how to talk to expectant mothers about what they are experiencing. Before you rush to a hospital or birthing center, talk to your doula about what you’re feeling and they will be able to help you determine if it is almost time to deliver your baby.