Pregnancy does not have to prevent travelling if you do not have any specific risk factors. But, if you are expecting twins, for instance, trips are not recommended due to the risks of premature birth. In all cases, seek advice from your doctor or midwife.
The best period to travel is between weeks 16 and 28. After the fourth month, the risk of miscarriage is lower and you can move more freely than at the end of your pregnancy. Note that before leaving, you must check your insurance or repatriation contract to make sure that pregnancy is not an exclusion clause, and make sure to gather as much information as possible regarding health conditions in the country you plan to visit.
Avoid destinations located at altitudes higher than 2,000 meters, especially during the first three months; the fetus could be deprived of oxygen. It is not recommended to practice any active sports either. Give priority to destinations that are not affected by malaria or yellow fever, and where quality healthcare is available.
It is possible to travel by plane while pregnant if you are not facing complications (uncontrolled diabetes, placenta anomaly, hypertension, risk of premature birth). However, most airline companies will ask you to provide a recent medical certificate if the due date is close, and will refuse to let you onboard over 37 weeks of pregnancy. Obtain information from the company before leaving as companies all have their own regulations.
Do not forget that plane seats are narrow and may be very uncomfortable for you. Furthermore, your sensitivity to motion sickness is increased during pregnancy and you may experience nausea. Wear compression stockings to avoid your legs to swell and move regularly in the cabin to avoid blood circulation problems.
Even when pregnant, you are required to wear your safety belt. The belt will protect you and your baby. You must simply put the belt as low as possible on the pelvis, below the belly.
Long trips are not recommended (no more than 2 to 300 km per day) and you must avoid jolts (old cars or all-terrain vehicles). Have pauses regularly to walk and relax.
Train is the recommended mode of transportation, because it is the least tiring and most reliable. It also enables you to walk regularly.
Make sure your immunisations are up to date before travelling. Be careful as some of them are not recommended for pregnant women. Inactive vaccines (tetanus, diphtheria) are not problematic, but living vaccines (measles, mumps, rubella, tuberculosis) must be avoided. In cases of absolute necessity, you can get immunised against yellow fever, but preferably after the end of the first trimester.
Infectious diseases are serious for you as well as for your child. Malaria is particularly dangerous, therefore it is important to avoid infected areas. If it is not possible to avoid such areas, go out fully covered and have your doctor prescribe a repellent. Not all preventive drugs are safe for pregnang women: quinine, chloroquine and proguanil are among the anti-malarial drugs compatible with your pregnancy. Travel in good hygienic conditions as often as possible. In all cases, be especially cautious with food and water and do not take any unknown medications.
Give priority to countries where health infrastructures are satisfactory and check your insurance policy clauses before leaving.
