What To Do Before Vacationing During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a pretty exciting time for many. You’re bringing new life into the world, and this is often a cause for celebration. Some women do become very concerned with their health and that of their baby, though. Miscarriage. The baby getting sick. Issues with the baby’s development. All valid concerns, but they shouldn’t get in the way of life.

Such fears could cause issues, especially if they begin stopping activities or cancelling plans. In some cases, they might even be tempted to cancel a vacation. If this is a trip you and your partner have looked forward for quite some time, then the disappointment would no doubt be immense. 

There is usually no need to press the cancel button, though. Many women travel safely while pregnant, and with the right precautions, you can, too. If you want to head off on vacation during your pregnancy, then this post is here to help. Using the information below, you will be much more prepared to complete essential steps before jetting off to sunnier climates.

Visit Your Doctor

If you are aware of your pregnancy and planning a vacation, a key stop to make is at your doctor’s office. Now, don’t be too concerned about this – remember, most women travel safely well into their pregnancy. Try not to stress, try not to Google obsessively. There is a lot of information online regarding when you can travel while pregnant, but the general consensus is that the second trimester (at 14 to 28 weeks) is the ideal time.

This appointment shouldn’t be a last-minute visit, though; aim for an appointment six to eight weeks before your departure date. It’s way too easy to run out of time, but you mustn’t. Going between six to eight weeks will provide plenty of time to ensure you are prepared and go over specific airline policies. Not only will your doctor – or midwife – confirm you are fit to travel, but they’ll also provide any necessary prescriptions and notes.

During this visit, the doctor will evaluate your overall health. They’ll also look at any pre-existing or pregnancy-related medical conditions you have to determine if travel is safe. These conditions will be taken into account as the doctor makes recommendations. Such recommended measures – compression stockings and in-transit exercises are popular suggestions – will hopefully prevent common travel-related problems, such as blood clots.

An emergency plan should also be created during this appointment. The aim of this plan is to ensure you have a safe and healthy trip. If the need arises, you will have all the information required to access care in your destination country, with contact information for local hospitals and copies of your own medical records. 

Purchase Comprehensive Insurance

No one wants to imagine unforeseen circumstances occurring during a vacation, especially when pregnant, but it can happen. To ensure you are suitably protected in these situations, you must purchase a quality travel insurance coverage. A comprehensive insurance policy will cover emergency medical care, trip cancellations and interruptions, and even the logistics of returning home.

But, as a pregnant woman, finding the right travel insurance is a challenge. Many insurance companies will exclude coverage for maternity benefits when travelling. This means your search for a plan that covers emergency onset complications will be tough, but there are some out there. For example, the GeoBlue Voyager plan provides pregnancy coverage for US citizens.

Even though some international travel medical insurance plans might not cover pregnancy complications, they will cover other illnesses and accidents during travel. The IMG Travel insurance plan is frequently recommended. As you will be unable to predict issues during vacation, it is best to have some protection if anything were to go wrong.

Check Travel Restrictions

While checking travel restrictions is encouraged for all travelers, pregnant women have extra aspects to look at. Many, if not all, airlines have specific policies and cut-off dates for pregnant travelers. Travel is generally prohibited after a certain gestational week. For single pregnancies, this is usually 36 weeks, but it will be earlier for multiple pregnancies. Not checking these rules beforehand could result in you being denied boarding.

Even travelers who have surpassed 28 weeks of pregnancy need to have medical documentation in some cases. A letter or certificate from your midwife or doctor, which confirms your due date and that you are deemed fit to fly, is needed. As previously mentioned, this is one reason why you must visit a doctor in advance – they’ll draft the letter or certificate and ensure you have it before your flight.

There is also a chance that the country you are visiting will have entry restrictions for non-national pregnant women. This is common with countries that have birth citizenship; the baby is granted automatic citizenship if born there. US consular officers, for example, might deny B visa applications if they believe this is the purpose of travel. These details should be verified with the local consulate or embassy before you even book your trip. 

And, unsurprisingly, there are certain countries with health-related advisories. Malaria and Zika are the most common risks. It is best to avoid areas of Africa, Asia, Central and South America, the Caribbeans, and the Pacific Islands for this reason.

To conclude, vacations rarely need to be cancelled in relation to pregnancy. As long as you are smart and prepared, the risks during travel are kept to a minimum. This means you will have the chance to enjoy your pregnancy as well as your vacation.