The holiday months have at last come and more and more people are leaving to enjoy their summer break. There is no harm in traveling while heavy with a child but a consult with a medical professional always before doing so always helps. Etihad airways and other air carriers often issue updated guidelines for pregnant women who plan to fly.
A four to six months pregnant woman can look forward to a more comfy travel situation than a woman only in her first trimester of pregnancy. Women have more zip around this time since morning sickness is all but gone. There is a likewise decreased odd of having pregnancy complications around these months. Lengthy vacations may be postponed to minimize the potential of miscarriage for women in their first pregnancy trimester as well as those in their final trimester months who do not want to deliver their babies prematurely in the absence of their healthcare provider.
Being pregnant with twins plus past premature births or miscarriages make it all the more risky to engage in travel activities. It is also a good idea to postpone all traveling activities to minimize the risk of vaginal bleeds and hypertension. If planning on staying away from home for a while, pregnant women need to inquire with their healthcare providers regarding medical people they can refer that is situated in the area they will visit.
A plane ride is not perceived as too risky for most women who are pregnant. Nevertheless, expectant mothers have to make sure they are back home before their big day preferably before the ninth month. Avoiding in-flight births is accomplished by domestic airlines through the imposition of a 36 gestation week rule for pregnant women while international planes have the cut off at week 35.
A commercial aircraft that cruises at high elevations maintain cabin pressure equal to 5000 or 8000 feet at above sea level. Healthy pregnant women experiencing mild decreases in blood oxygen levels owing to diminished air pressure can deal with it. Expectant women suffering from slight anemia meanwhile may temporarily wind up with compromised coordination skills and feel drowsy.
Non-anemic moms to be on occasion also experience noticeable heart rate and respiration patterns. A woman who is pregnant is at greater risk when stuck in a place where cabin pressure is decreased if she is also battling sickle cell or severe anemia. Should traveling be unavoidable for her, then extra oxygen must be on standby.
Women in the family way can make their air journey worry-free by taking some precautions. There are minimal chances of developing blood clots and swollen lower limbs if sitting positions are varied throughout the flight. Ask for aisle seats then spend a few minutes walking about in the cabin whenever airline people specify you can do it safely.
Before flying be sure to cut down on foods that cause intestinal irritation. A pregnant woman has a particularly hard time dealing with in-flight intestinal gas expansion. Mommies to be can combat the decreased aircraft humidity and prevent dehydration by keeping their bodies stocked with fruit juices and water. Some vaccinations might be unnecessary but to be sure pregnant women should ask their doctors about them before heading to a foreign country.
Etihad airways suggests that pregnant should avoid tap water and prefer bottled with an unbroken seal and the same goes for ice in drinks if you want to avoid contracting hepatitis A or typhoid. Avoid eating raw vegetables, salad and fruit although thick-skinned fruits such as mandarins, which you peel yourself, or bananas are excellent but always wash your hands with soap or antibacterial hand wash before eating. It is quite easy to carry travel size bottles of antibacterial hand gels that dry almost immediately and are readily available in drugstores.
There is always the option of simply taking a car to where the pregnant lady needs to go. Traveling this way also has its downsides which are the backaches and swollen feet plus ankles caused by prolonged sitting. To avoid these problems, stop and walk around at least every two hours. It is especially important that a pregnant woman wears her seatbelt.
Finally, it is also worth an expectant mother to check on her insurance policy before she flies as some place further restrictions especially after the twenty-sixth week of pregnancy. Some insurance companies will include travel insurance after the twenty-six weeks for pregnant mothers but won’t cover the costs of the birth itself.
Pregnancy issues are not to blame for most deaths during pregnancy as automobile disasters are the real culprit. Lap belt and shoulder harness need to be positioned properly for optimal mother and baby protection below the abdomen and above the uterus respectively. Holiday travels will not pose a problem given the above tips for pregnant travelers to make them truly unforgettable.
