Is It Safe? Traveling While Pregnant

on May 11, 2009 at 12:05 PM

traveling while pregnant

Summer = escape, right? Whether it's someplace far, far away or just a change of scene right around the corner.

But what if you've got a baby on board? Is it safe to run away from home?

Here's what the American Pregnancy Association has to say about traveling while pregnant.

Always talk to your doctor with any questions or concerns but, generally, if there are no known complications, you're good to go -- travel is safe throughout your pregnancy.

When?

The glorified second trimester -- the morning sickness is over! you can feel the baby move! you're not ginormous yet! -- is typically thought to be the ideal time to hit the road.

In the car

-- Don't forget to buckle up.

-- Keep the air bags turned on.

-- Don't sit there for hours on end -- make stops so you can take short walks and do some stretches to keep the blood circulating (not like your bladder would let you go for hours anyway....)

Can I fly?

-- You can usually travel up until your eighth month. Travel in your ninth month, if you're so inclined or if it's necessary, may also be deemed OK if you have written permission from your health care provider.

-- Get up and stretch your legs from time to time!

Here's more info on traveling while pregnant -- including the scoop on foreign travel.

Will you be traveling this summer before the baby comes? Where are you going, and for how long?

Filed Under: is it safe, summer vacations

Comments (5)

fluud7

on May 11, 2009 at 1:53 PM

My hubby and I are taking our first vacation EVER to Mackinac Island. There are EMT-type people there, but no actual hospital on the island. Transportation would be required to the mainland for something that required a hospital.

But this is my 4th pregnancy and I've never had complications. I will be 5 months pregnant and am not too concerned about the risk of no doctor. After all, I'm not all that fond of doctors anyway....Lol.

Report this comment

madamekatekate

on May 11, 2009 at 9:08 PM

With my first child I flew while about 5 months pregnant and honestly...It was the most uncomfortable I had ever been on a plane! Not saying I'd never do it again, I probably would if I had somewhere I wanted to go but man...It was a totally different experience then flying while not pregnant!

But ya...If you can deal with general discomfort (you may or may not have to) and your health care provider doesn't see a reason for you not to then go for it.

Relax while you can...Once that baby is here there won't be too much flying for a little while, lol.

rayelinsragz

on May 12, 2009 at 6:11 AM

Ugh I am almost 8 months and I am having to fly home (south carolina) from germany to deliver my baby. I am not looking forward to it but I keep telling myself it will be worth it when I am able to let my doctor do the deliver (by c-section) vs some stranger.

kathy067j

on May 13, 2009 at 2:21 PM

We are driveing 3000 miles from az to mi to get my preggo daughter

lavcat1

on Jun 13, 2009 at 10:40 PM

I will be going to AZ in july and my hubby's a bit concerned because I get heat stroke pretty easily but I'll be with my mom who's just as bad as me with heat. I'll be starting my second trimest about then. Oh and were driving from colorado to get their.