Travel in Pregnancy: Do's, Don'ts and Helpful Tips

I recently had a patient email to ask if she should be reconsidering her planned vacation to Hawaii, given that she would be 32 weeks pregnant when she left. Having had very few patients asking about travel in their third trimester, I thought I would take the opportunity to investigate, and share what I found with you!
In my search for information, I could find no guidelines from the Canadian College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, or from the Canadian Midwifery Association. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists does however have published guidelines for travel in Pregnancy, and what follows are a review of their recommendations. Speak with your OB or Midwife to confirm these recommendations apply in your case before undertaking a big trip though!
Apparently, the “best” time to travel is in your second trimester from a health perspective. This recommendation is based on incidence of complication in pregnancy – the periods where it is most likely that you could experience difficulty or an emergency are in the first twelve weeks, and the last 12 weeks. There is no research to show that travel increases risk in a normal pregnancy – whether it is by car, train, boat or plane.
Think about the duration of travel as your pregnancy advances. At 36 weeks pregnant, you are more likely to be uncomfortable with prolonged periods of sitting and inactivity. If you are driving long distances, take time to stop and stretch every 4 or so hours (most pregnant women will need to stop more frequently to use the ladies room anyways!). Ensure that you wear your seatbelt appropriately – with the lap belt below your belly, and the shoulder strap above your belly, between your breasts.
If you plan to fly, check with your airline to learn their policies of flying while pregnant. Each airline has the right to refuse to allow you to board if they are worried about your stage of pregnancy. On babycentre.ca, they recommend that you have a signed letter from your physician or midwife, confirming your estimated due date if you are going to be travelling late in your pregnancy. Occasional flying during pregnancy does not expose you or your baby to unacceptable levels of radiation. However, for women who fly regularly in pregnancy, such as pilots, airline stewards or air marshals, acceptable levels of exposure to cosmic radiation may be exceeded.
When booking your flight, try to reserve an aisle or bulk-head seat so that you can get up easily, and move around readily. Be sure to consume plenty of un-carbonated water to maintain adequate hydration, and ensure that you snack every two to three hours. For those of you who experience jet lag, melatonin is not recommended in pregnancy, but there are some great homeopathic remedies available that can ameliorate the symptoms related to travelling across time zones. I also like to recommend that women bring a tooth brush and tooth paste, a face cloth, a change of clothes, some gum or some peppermints, and lots of moisturizer so that they can feel comfortable with longer flights. Having your own travel pillow is also a must – adequate support of your neck and head will allow for a more enjoyable flight. Fennel or chamomile tea will help to relieve any gas or bloating related to eating while flying, and peppermint or ginger tea will ameliorate any nausea. Make sure you are up for a walk (provided there is no turbulence) every 2 hours to ensure adequate blood flow and venous return. This helps to prevent clots (DVT – deep vein thrombosis) from forming in the lower legs from prolonged sitting. Also – wear comfortable yoga style pants, and layers for your tops...stretchy and easily removed or put back on are musts for travel clothing.
Planning a cruise? With short or long term sea travel, you must be prepared for possible motion sickness. “Sea-bands” are bracelets that can be worn at any time in pregnancy, that act through acupressure to decrease nausea. Many of my patients use them as a tool for regular “morning sickness,” but they are fabulous too for “sea sickness”! Most health food stores will carry them. If you are on a longer term cruise (for more than one day), ensure that there are medical staff on board, and that you pack your probiotic to decrease the likelihood of contracting a “norovirus.” Noroviruses cause severe vomiting and diarrhea for 1-2 days, and spread easily via contaminated food and water, and by touching contaminated surfaces. Drink primarily bottled water, and wash your hands frequently.
Travelling while pregnant can be enjoyable, and if well planned and safe, can be a great way to relax and decompress before your new little one joins your family. If you are unsure about whether your travel destination, or mode of travel is safe for you, speak with your midwife, OB or naturopath, and they can help you establish some clear guidelines, as well as strategize to keep you and your baby healthy and happy.
Bon Voyage!  v