Traveling While Pregnant

Check with the cruise line to determine whether there is a physician on board in case you develop any complications. Many smaller ships (those with 100 passengers or less) generally do not have medical personnel on staff. Larger ships are also more stable on rough seas. For the smoothest ride, get a cabin in the middle of the ship, close to the water line.

Make sure that your health insurance policy will cover you if you develop any complications while on board or at a port-of-call. Also, check your scheduled ports-of-call to find out about their medical facilities and other safety issues such as water supplies, disease outbreaks, etc. Less developed countries may have a shortage of trained doctors and nurses, sterile equipment, and safe blood.

Car Travel

Car travel is safe during pregnancy, although you may need to allow extra time for bathroom and stretch breaks on long trips. Always wear your seat belt low across your pelvic bone and never across your belly, and position the shoulder belt snugly between your breasts. Air bags are as safe during pregnancy as they are at any other time, so don’t disconnect them. There is a potential risk associated with airbags because they open with such force; however, the benefits of their use outweigh the risks. To minimize the risk of injury during airbag deployment, sit as far back as possible – at least ten inches from the dashboard or steering wheel, wherever the airbag is located.

If you are in a car accident of any sort, regardless of severity or how far along you are in your pregnancy, you should be checked out by a doctor immediately, even if you feel fine.

Buses and trains tend to have narrow aisles and cramped bathrooms; however, both modes of transportation are safe during your pregnancy. Be sure to hang on to the seat backs when walking up and down the aisles.

If you experience any of the following complications while traveling, you should seek immediate medical attention:

• Bleeding

• Contractions

• Impaired vision

• Ruptured membranes

• Abdominal pain or cramping

• Passing clots or tissue

• Headaches

• Excessive swelling of your legs

The bottom line for traveling while pregnant is to take extra precautions, listen to your body, and always discuss your travel plans with your doctor before you leave.

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