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.