5 Safety Tips for Pregnant Women Traveling Alone
‘Being with child’, to use an archaic English expression, does not mean that you should automatically cancel that solo trip the untamed wilds of the Masai Mara, the pristine beaches of Bali or the serene fiords of Norway.
In fact, it may be the best time to travel, as pregnant women tend to be treated with kid gloves almost universally. However, this does not mean that you can take solo trips on a whim. For safe and enjoyable travel, follow these five essential tips.
1 Finders Leepers
Find out everything that you can about your intended destination. Are there travel advisories in effect? Do local laws and customs allow pregnant women to travel alone? How are you expected to dress? Where is the embassy of your country located?
What is the climate like? Are there any diseases that you should worry about? What is the cuisine like? How easy is it to get clean drinking water? How far are nearest hospitals? The answers to these and other questions will help you craft a travel plan that minimizes risk while maximizing the fun.
Read also – 7 Ways to Reduce Your Travel Expenses
2 A doctor a day
Before you travel, visit your doctor. Depending on your proposed destination, you may need special medication or even vaccination. Where possible, avoid traveling to areas where inoculation is necessary, as there is always a slight risk of the serum harming your unborn baby.
If you are on a trip that will take five hours or more, drink a lot of water and take short walks every thirty minutes to reduce the risk of developing intravenous blood clots, a condition that is known as Deep Vein Thrombosis. Where necessary, buy orthopedic stockings to keep your legs and feet from swelling.
Starting from the twenty-eighth week of pregnancy, most airlines will ask for a letter from your doctor confirming that you are fit enough to travel. You should shelve any travel plans that you may have starting from the thirty-seventh week, thirty four for twins, because of the vastly increased probability of going into labor.
3 Insured’s assured
Get adequate travel insurance before you start packing your bags. This will guarantee that you have enough money for evacuation, treatment and even premature birth. Apart from the costs of changing the date of your return flight, travel insurance also covers loss, theft and damage to your property.
4 Do no evil
Do not stuff everything in sight into your bag. Traveling light reduces your vulnerability, and you are less likely to lose things. Never let your luggage, credit cards or other valuables out of your sight. To avoid attracting unnecessary attention, leave jewelry, laptops, high-end smartphones or anything that looks expensive at home.
Leave copies of your travel plans and important documents with your family and friends, and upload electronic versions to the cloud. Always carry your medical records and your physician’s contacts with you in case you need immediate medical attention.
If you are driving, take regular breaks. Ensure that the seatbelt strap passes between your breasts, or, if you are using a lap belt, under the baby bump. Avoid traveling at night, particularly in unfamiliar places. Always keep your wits about you; the worst thing you can do is panic. Avoid standing out; if in doubt, follow the customs of local women.
Read also – 6 Crucial Reasons to Hire a Doula
5 You are what you eat
Pregnancy brings with it fatigue and spells of dizziness. Always carry non-alcoholic drinks and energy-giving natural foods such as fruits and nuts every time you travel. If you are unsure about the quality of tap water in an area, carry bottled water.
Follow your doctor’s and nutritionist’s advice closely, particularly if you are in a foreign land. If you fall sick, or lose your appetite, try eating small meals many times a day.
When you are pregnant and you are going to travel alone, it is critically important to think about your safety. Consider all these safety tips and enjoy your trip to the fullest.
