While pregnancy is a joyous time, it can make traveling feel a bit overwhelming. The good news is that simple hacks can make traveling during the holidays feel like a breeze, keeping you and your little one safe, healthy, and calm.
Visit with board-certified OB/GYN Daniel Esteves, MD, and the staff at his private practice in Lawrenceville and Loganville, Georgia, to take advantage of superior prenatal care.
Pregnancy is a time to take extra care of yourself and your family to reduce the risk of illnesses and pregnancy complications. While you often don’t have to avoid traveling during mistletoe season, take a few precautions to ensure safety, comfortability, and peace of mind.
Consider the following holiday travel tips to maintain a healthy pregnancy:
Check in with Dr. Esteves to determine if you have any travel restrictions involving flying or traveling too far from home, especially if you’re in your third trimester. He may suggest you limit travel to nearby locations, not travel at all if you’re close to your due date, or avoid certain activities during your holiday travel journey.
It’s helpful to wash your hands often, pack hand sanitizer and cleaning wipes, avoid large crowds, and avoid close contact with people who are ill to minimize your risk of getting sick while pregnant.
If you’re due for any vaccines to reduce the risk of flu or other illnesses and diseases, Dr. Esteves offers them. Before your trip, check in with him to see which vaccinations you’re eligible for and which are a good idea to have before your holiday trip. Avoid traveling to places with poor sanitation.
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the safest time for pregnant women to travel is when you’re 14-28 weeks along. That’s because your energy levels are often higher, morning sickness may be gone, and you’re typically still able to move around easily.
In general, avoid flying after 36 weeks, though this varies from person to person. Steer clear of cruises while pregnant, as access to prenatal medical care on cruise ships is limited.
In case you go into labor or a pregnancy complication arises, it’s helpful to research the available medical facilities along your travel journey and near the final destination. Make sure you have high-quality facilities nearby in case of an emergency medical situation.
Avoid sitting too long when traveling while pregnant. Whenever possible, get up and walk around to stretch your legs, extend and flex your ankles, and get blood flowing to reduce the risk of blood clots. Ask Dr. Esteves about wearing support stockings to further minimize the risk of blood clots and varicose veins.
Pregnant women should eat every few hours and require additional calories and fluids to nourish themselves and their babies. Pack healthy snacks, such as fruit, yogurt, and nuts, while traveling and aim to drink at least 8 ounces of water every hour. Carry a water bottle with you at all times.
Avoid alcohol (this includes eggnog) and limit caffeine to amounts approved by Dr. Esteves. You might need to avoid certain foods that exacerbate morning sickness or gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD). Examples include spicy, highly acidic, and fried foods.
It’s also important to avoid undercooked and raw foods, unpasteurized cheeses, and deli meats that increase the risk of foodborne illnesses while pregnant. Steer clear of foods high in added sugar.
Eat a variety of:
Choose lower-mercury fish like salmon and light tuna.
If you’re leaving home close to your due date, pack an emergency kit that includes a hospital overnight bag in case you go into labor. Include any medications and/or dietary supplements, healthy snacks, a toothbrush, and anything else you’ll need at the hospital.
You typically don’t have to avoid holiday travel while pregnant, but it’s important to do so safely and plan appropriately to ensure a healthy pregnancy and delivery. If you have a high-risk pregnancy or are close to your due date, your limitations are often greater.
See Dr. Daniel Esteves prior to traveling while pregnant and for routine prenatal care by contacting us by phone or requesting an appointment online today.
