Any travel can put stress on your pregnant body, but traveling by airplane and visiting a developing country carries additional risk for both you and your baby. While many women will be able to safely travel to a developing country with minimal health problems, it’s best to avoid these trips, if possible. If you’re unable to cancel or postpone your visit, work with your doctor to ensure that you’re prepared for a safe trip.
Considerations
If you have any flexibility in your travel plans, it’s best to travel during your second trimester. You should be feeling well and your risk of going into labor is low. However, if you are experiencing or have experienced complications during your pregnancy such as high blood pressure, circulatory problems or bleeding, or if you’ve experienced complications in previous pregnancies, avoid traveling. Traveling is also unwise if you’re carrying multiples. No matter how healthy you are, you should also avoid visiting countries where wars are occurring or areas that are experiencing outbreaks of diseases such as malaria.
Preparations
Once your doctor clears you for travel, discuss immunizations with her. The shots you’ll need will depend on the country you’re visiting. If you’re in your first trimester, you shouldn’t receive any immunizations, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, so you’ll need to put off your trip if you’re not already properly immunized. Pregnant women should also not receive any live vaccines unless they’re traveling to a place where yellow fever is a concern. Another consideration is healthcare in your destination country. Contact the U.S. embassy in the country to request information for hospitals that can treat you, should you experience complications while traveling.
On the Plane
If you’re traveling by airplane, you’ll deal with both discomfort and slight health risks. Arrange to sit over the wing if possible because the ride might feel slightly smoother there. Wear loose, comfortable clothes and bring along a blanket in order to stay warm. Sitting still for long periods raises your chances of developing blood clots, so walk up and down the aisles throughout the flight. Dehydration can also raise the risks of clots, so sip on water frequently. Wear your seat belt low around your hips when you’re seated.
Eating and Drinking
When you’re in a developing country, be vigilant about every drink and every pice of food you ingest. Diarrhea is common among travelers because they’re eating unfamiliar food, but even one bout of diarrhea can leave you dangerously dehydrated. A severe case of food poisoning can also raise your risk of miscarriage, according to BabyCenter. Drink only bottled drinks; avoid anything made with tap water, including ice cubes. Only eat meat that is completely cooked through and avoid fruits or vegetables unless you can peel them or they’ve been cooked. Bring some granola bars with you from home along with packages of oral rehydration solutions, which can replenish electrolytes if you do get dehydrated.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Travel to Developing Countries - Traveling with Health Problems or While Pregnant
- BabyCenter.com: Is it Safe to Travel to Developing Countries During Pregnancy?
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Advising Travelers with Specific Needs: Pregnant Travelers
- American Pregnancy Association: Pregnancy and Travel
- Parents; Traveling Abroad During Pregnancy: Prepare for Unsafe Food and Water; Karin A. Bilich
