When is it unsafe to travel during pregnancy

If you are feeling short of breath or light-headed, ask one of the flight attendants to give you breathing oxygen. Car travel and pregnancy If travelling by car: Make frequent breaks to stretch your legs and visit the toilet. Always wear a seatbelt. Fasten the lap sash across your lap and under your bump, fit the shoulder sash above your bump and between your breasts.

Avoid wearing the lap sash across your bump as a sudden jolt could cause your placenta to separate from your uterus. If you are sitting in the front passenger seat, move your seat well back from the dashboard to reduce airbag impact in case of a collision. If you are driving, have your seat as far back from the steering wheel as possible, while still being able to drive safely and comfortably.

It may help to tilt the steering wheel downwards, away from your belly. If you are involved in a collision, however minor, see your doctor. If you have contractions, pain or bleeding after an accident, see a doctor as soon as possible. Let them know if you have a rhesus negative blood group, as you may need to have an anti-D injection.

Consider joining a roadside assistance program that can help you in case of a breakdown, and always carry a mobile phone. Heat and sun exposure and pregnancy If travelling in hot weather: Carry a water bottle with you and drink water frequently. Stay in the shade or inside during the hottest part of the day. Protect your skin by wearing loose-fitting clothing, a hat and sunscreen.

Avoid rushing or overexertion — plan your activities and give yourself plenty of time. Overheating during pregnancy If you feel weak and dizzy, light-headed or even slightly nauseous, it may be a sign that you are overheating and dehydrated. Remember: to seek shade or go inside, drink a glass of cool water and lie down to bring down your temperature by using a fan, placing a cool, wet cloth on your forehead and the back of your neck, or running cool water over your wrists.

Sporting activities and pregnancy Certain sporting activities carry an increased risk to your unborn baby. Activities to avoid include: Water-skiing — coming off the skis could force water into the vagina. Scuba diving — the changes in blood gases may harm your baby. Snorkelling is fine and scuba diving to depths of less than 18 metres 60 feet is reasonably safe, but check with your doctor first.

Saunas and hot tubs — raising your body temperature can harm your baby. Horseback riding — the motion of horseback riding carries a risk of placental abruption separating the placenta from the uterus.

Falling from or being kicked by a horse carries a high risk of trauma to your baby, or even death. High-altitude activities such as mountain climbing — at heights over 3, metres, the oxygen level in the air is low. This reduces the oxygen available to your baby. Pregnant women are also more vulnerable to developing altitude sickness.

Wash your hands thoroughly after going to the toilet, before preparing food and before eating. In developing nations, only eat fruit that you have peeled yourself. Avoid leafy greens and salads because they could have been washed in contaminated water. Drink bottled water if you are unsure of the water supply. Use bottled water when brushing your teeth. Make sure that all eating utensils are thoroughly dried after washing.

Avoid ice. If you must use the local water, boil the water thoroughly for five minutes before using. Avoid treating unsafe water with iodine. If consumed over a few weeks, iodine can cause your unborn baby to develop a goitre enlarged thyroid gland. Medications to avoid during pregnancy Pregnant women should be wary of taking medications of any kind.

Avoid taking any over-the-counter medication unless advised by your doctor, who knows you are pregnant. Avoid alcohol. Avoid using 'social' or 'recreational' drugs. Avoid travelling to developing nations during pregnancy. Getting there by car, babycenter.

More information here. Carry written documentation of your due date when travelling. Some airlines ask to see this information. When in flight, keep your seat belt fastened as much as possible in case of turbulence.

Take a few walks while on a long flight to increase the blood circulation in your legs. Choose an aisle seat if possible. This will make it easier to move around in the plane.

When not to travel by plane Avoid air travel when: You've reached your 36th week of pregnancy. You have a placenta-related problem or have risk factors for early preterm labour. Your doctor has advised against it, based on your medical history or current condition. Related Information Travel Health Pregnancy. Credits Current as of: May 27, Top of the page Next Section: Related Information.

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See www. After you arrive at your destination, you also can register with an American embassy or consulate. This may help if you need to leave the country because of an emergency. Complications: Diseases or conditions that happen as a result of another disease or condition. An example is pneumonia that occurs as a result of the flu. A complication also can occur as a result of a condition, such as pregnancy. An example of a pregnancy complication is preterm labor. Diabetes Mellitus: A condition in which the levels of sugar in the blood are too high.

Fetus: The stage of human development beyond 8 completed weeks after fertilization. Hepatitis A: An infection caused by a virus that can be spread by contaminated food or water. Listeriosis: A type of illness you can get from bacteria found in unpasteurized milk, hot dogs, luncheon meats, and smoked seafood. Malaria: A disease caused by a parasite that is spread through mosquito bites. Babies with microcephaly may have seizures, developmental delays, mental disability, vision and hearing problems, and problems with balance and movement.

Preeclampsia: A disorder that can occur during pregnancy or after childbirth in which there is high blood pressure and other signs of organ injury. These signs include an abnormal amount of protein in the urine, a low number of platelets, abnormal kidney or liver function, pain over the upper abdomen, fluid in the lungs, or a severe headache or changes in vision. Also called premature rupture of membranes. Radiation: A type of energy that is transmitted in the form of rays, waves, or particles.

Trimesters: The 3-month periods of time in pregnancy. They are referred to as first, second, or third. Zika: A disease caused by the Zika virus, which is spread through mosquito bites.

Copyright by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. All rights reserved. Read copyright and permissions information. This information is designed as an educational aid for the public. It offers current information and opinions related to women's health.

It is not intended as a statement of the standard of care. It does not explain all of the proper treatments or methods of care. It is not a substitute for the advice of a physician. Travel is not recommended for women with certain complications, including: Preeclampsia Prelabor rupture of membranes PROM Preterm labor. If you are planning a long trip, take the following steps to reduce your risk of DVT: Drink lots of fluids without caffeine. Wear loose-fitting clothing.

Walk and stretch at regular intervals. Special stockings that compress the legs, either below the knee or full length, also can be worn to help prevent blood clots from forming. Talk with your ob-gyn or other health care professional before you try these stockings. Some people should not wear them for example, those with diabetes mellitus and other circulation problems.

Also, compression stockings can increase the risk of DVT if they are too tight or worn incorrectly. You also can follow these tips: Wear your seat belt at all times.

The belt should sit low on your hip bones, below your belly. Plan to make frequent stops. Use these stops to move around and stretch your legs.

Wear comfortable shoes and clothing that is not too tight. Wear a few layers of light clothing that can easily be added or removed. Eat regular meals to boost your energy.

Drink extra fluids. Take water with you. Book an aisle seat if you can. This will make it easier to get up and stretch your legs during a long flight. Avoid gas-producing carbonated drinks before or during your flight. Gas expands at high altitude and can cause discomfort. Drink water instead.