Travel is an incredible opportunity to experience the world together with your partner in an entirely different light, as well as unleash their playful sides.
Travel during your third trimester can be done safely provided that you abide by certain simple guidelines. Certain airlines prohibit pregnant women from flying after 36 weeks gestation and some may request proof of your due date.
Plan Ahead
Traveling during third trimester increases your risk for complications. Therefore, it’s wise to discuss travel plans with an obstetrician before leaving home as they will provide insight into risks as well as guidance regarding when is the ideal time to travel.
For pregnancy travel, the second trimester – from weeks 13-27 of gestation – is ideal. Morning sickness should have subsided by this point and miscarriage risks have decreased substantially; additionally, it’s an ideal opportunity for couples looking for romantic getaways before giving birth – also known as “babymooning”.
Before booking your travel plans in the third trimester, it’s advisable to consult with your physician first. They will know if it’s safe and what the airline requirements are – most airlines typically require an official note from your physician after 36 weeks; some may even set earlier cutoffs.
Before leaving on any trip, it’s always advisable to consult your physician about which vaccines you require for the destination you have selected. In these post-Covid-19 times, germ-avoidance is especially important; therefore pack plenty of hand sanitizer and mask. Also pack lots of food and water so as to remain hydrated throughout the journey, plus an aisle seat so as to be able to easily get up and stretch during flights.
Check With Your Doctor
At this stage of pregnancy, your body is channeling its energy towards developing your baby. As it does so, you may experience stretching ligaments and muscles discomfort, heartburn, constipation and increased fatigue; you may even notice nausea returning as digestion slows down or as your baby shifts his position to prepare for birth.
Your doctor will closely monitor both your blood pressure and weight throughout your gestation, to make sure all is going according to plan. A glucose screening should take place by week 28/month 7 and anemia tests may occur between months 7-9. A Group B Streptococcus (Strep) test is also typically performed, since this strain of bacteria can lead to serious infections in newborns if left untreated immediately following birth.
Prenatal visits should take place every two weeks until your 36th week, at which time your physician will perform an internal exam of your cervix to ascertain its degree of dilation and effacement.
At this point in your pregnancy and birthing process, it’s a good opportunity to ask any lingering questions you might have about pregnancy and birth. Depending on your risk level, travel may still be possible during your third trimester; but be sure to speak to your healthcare provider first in order to make sure it’s safe for both mother and baby.
Don’t Fly
Airliness typically require pregnant women who wish to fly during their third trimester to obtain medical clearance; this often depends on how far along in gestation they are as well as any additional health concerns they may have.
Travel during pregnancy during the second trimester – 14-28 weeks – is considered most suitable. Women typically feel their best during this time period and miscarriage risk is lowest.
Once pregnant women reach 28th week, doctors typically advise avoiding flights due to hormonal regulation of labor; flying will not increase levels of oxytocin (the chemical that induces contractions). Women who have had preterm delivery or placental pathology before are usually advised against air travel at this stage as well.
Be sure to stay hydrated and move around on your flight to avoid dehydration and blood clots (deep vein thrombosis or DVT). Pregnant women sitting for prolonged periods are particularly at risk; longer flights increase their chances of DVT formation. To reduce your risk, stretch your legs and feet frequently during the flight as much as possible and request an aisle seat when possible; compression stockings may also be prescribed by your healthcare provider if this applies to you.
Stay Healthy
Your energy levels may start to diminish as your pregnancy nears its conclusion, making travel safer if it meets with medical approval and you aren’t too close to due date. Being prepared can make this trip much smoother!
Be sure to request a digital version of your pregnancy chart from both your ob-gyn and midwife and keep it handy while traveling. Your chart should include information such as your age, blood type, healthcare provider contact info (name/number etc), estimated delivery date information as well as previous pregnancies you have had and results from medical or pregnancy-related tests performed during your gestation period.
Pack snacks to avoid spending more at airport restaurants and always carry water with you. Exercise or walk around periodically in your plane so as to keep circulation flowing freely and monitor symptoms such as swelling of legs or feet, headaches or blurred vision as these could be signs of poor circulation or stress-induced nausea; smells, lack of sleep or stress could trigger this too. If the discomfort becomes overwhelming call your physician immediately for advice or cancellation consideration if there are complications such as placenta previa or intrauterine growth restriction involved.