Pregnant mothers are advised to travel in the second trimester of their pregnancies. Traveling within 12 – 16 weeks is safer and more comfortable as the risk of miscarriage is reduced. Also, within that period, most pregnant mothers no longer experience the effects of morning sickness. When your pregnancy has reached 28 weeks, you may feel uncomfortable to travel long distance because of the size of your stomach.
Regardless of the stage of your pregnancy, you should always consult your doctor for specific guidelines for your traveling trips either by car, train, or plane. Here are several useful and essential travel guidelines which many pregnant mothers have benefited from.
General Travel Guidelines:
Start your journey when you are well rested
Travel as light as possible
Use suitcases with wheels
Wear comfortable shoes and clothing
Bring along water and fruit juices and drink at least a glass every hour
Bring along high fiber and nutritious snacks
Bring along supplements, vitamins and medication that you need
Bring along your doctor’s contact details.
If possible, travel with your spouse, a friend or a relative
Traveling by Air:
No reports have shown that commercial air travel could harm the health of your growing baby.
Here are some guidelines when traveling on air:
Request for an aisle seat so that you can move freely throughout the cabin.
Avoid drinking tea and coffee as these will cause fluid retention.
Move around the cabin frequently to ensure smooth circulation of the blood.
Stretch your legs a few times every hour to avoid muscle cramps and numbness.
In order to position your seatbelt, sit as upright as you can. Place the lap belt under your belly as
low as possible.
Traveling by Car:
One of the most important guides when traveling by car is to fasten your seatbelt. In this way, you baby is well cushioned by your body. This safety precaution will not harm your baby. In order to position your seatbelt, sit as upright as you can. Place the lap belt under your belly as low as possible. The shoulder belt should cross your chest between your breasts.
Other important guidelines when traveling by car:
Wear you seatbelt firmly.
Bring along water and drink frequently.
Plan frequent stops in order for you to visit the bathroom.
Avoid carbonated drinks and high-fat snacks or food at car stops.
Lastly, do enjoy yourself when traveling. If you are expecting your first child, you should really enjoy the opportunity to travel with ease, at least for a couple of month without having to take along any baby toys, bottles, diapers and so on. With ample preparation and the above traveling guidelines to safeguard yourself from any traveling stress, you are sure to have an exciting and relaxing trip.
About the Author:
Author, Sarah Taylors, manages a directory that provides women related information and links to websites that sell products & services for women consumers. Visit her directory to find out more: Women’s Appeal Directory. Read more pregnancy related articles.
I need to travel for the work. Can I travel during the first trimester of pregnancy? Also I will be carrying the bags for travel, how safe is it for me to lift the bags and put them on the conveyor belt at the air port? Do the domestic air ports in United States provide special facilities for pregnant women?
You should be fine during the first trimester, but definitely consult with you’re doctor….it depends on how heavy the bags are as well, they typically urge you not to lift beyond 25lbs. Congratulations!!!
Pets don’t get a say in where they’re moved to and it can be just as stressful for them as it is for humans, particularly if you’re having an international removal. It’s important to make sure you consider your pet’s comfort during a move so check out the tips below.
Moving abroad
If you’re moving abroad then taking your pet with you can be quite a complicated process. The first step to take is to find out if your pet will need to go into quarantine. This will depend on what country you’re moving to as the time spent in quarantine can vary, although for many countries it’s around 30 days. You will also usually need proof of a rabies vaccination and a health certificate to prove your pet is fit for the new country.
How you take your pet to their new home can also vary depending on the size of the animal and where you’re moving to. If you’re relocating to Europe then consider moving your pet to your new home by car on a ferry as this can be much less stressful than flying and will allow them to exercise and stay with the rest of the family throughout the move. Many ferry companies charge a small fee for taking a pet onboard. Many flight operators allow pets to be booked on a flight with you and placed in the air conditioned hold for the journey. Your pet will need to be placed in an approved container for the flight so they’re comfortable and secure throughout the journey. An international removal company will be able to give you specific advice on the country you’re travelling to.
A comfortable move
Cats and dogs can get anxious in stressful situations such as during a move. The actual moving process can be dangerous for them too as there will be heavy objects, sharp items and moving vans which could be hazardous. The best way to keep them safe and calm is to ask a friend or relative to house them for the duration of the move. If you do need to keep them at the house on moving day then secure them in a large crate so they don’t get frightened or hurt during the move. Make sure they have plenty of water and let them out for a supervised stretch every hour or so. If you’re transporting your pet with you on moving day then secure them in an appropriate container and ideally move them in the same vehicle as the rest of the family so they will feel safe and reassured. Make regular stops for food, water and walks, particularly if you’re making a long journey.
When you arrive
It’s understandable that your pet might feel slightly disorientated when they arrive at your new home so give them time to adjust. Routine is important to dogs in particular so make sure they have their familiar belongings such as toys and a basket and take them on walks at the usual time. Make sure the garden is secure if your pets are running around outside. Cats can often wander off so keep them in doors for a few days so they get used to their new home before you let them explore.
Keeping pets comfortable is a vital part of your moving process so make sure you prepare well in advance to keep them safe and secure during the move.
Can I discreetly take a small cat in the cabin of an Air Canada flight, from overseas and within Canada?
In a few months I’m flying from Brazil back to Vancouver via Toronto. Apparently Air Canada requires pets to travel in the baggage compartment on international flights, and as AC Live Product on flights within Canada. Both rather expensive.
if you get caught you’ll be in trouble!!
Government Issued Stun Bracelets for all Airline Passengers
American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery has reported that the number one top surgical procedure in the United States for the year 2005 was liposuction. In that year alone, 455,489 liposuction treatments were done in America, 402,946 were women and the rest was men. The majority of the patients fall under the ages between 35 to 50 years old.
Second on the list was breast augmentation, totaling 364,610 cases in that year. The report revealed that 83.4 per cent of the patients used the saline device and 16.6 percent the silicone implant. The results of recent research demonstrate that women with saline implants are significantly more likely to express satisfaction with augmentation than women with silicone gel-filled implants.
There are no actual statistics on the numbers of transvestites since it involves some legal issues in many countries, but it has been reported that thousands of cases were done. Bangkok is known to be the premier place to go for sex change surgery. In fact, that is one of the top 10 procedures for which patients visit Thailand. A growing number of Americans are taking that path, traveling to countries like Thailand for cosmetic, orthopedic and heart surgeries and other medical and dental treatments that cost 20 to 80 percent less than at home.
For example, American surgeon’s fee for a full face-lift averaged $4822 in 2004, not including hospital costs, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. At Bangkok, it costs only 3,500 USD for a Face lift surgery (cheek bone area lift, cheek area lift, chin lift and neck lift). This cost is included hospital expenses.
The growth is in accordance with Thailand’s aim to establish Thailand as the “Center of Excellent Health of Asia” and this plan focuses on medical services, healthcare services and Thai herbal products. In 2004, as many as 20 billion Baht was generated by foreign patients seeking treatment in Thailand.
Many people want to take “cosmetics surgery holidays” in destinations that offer both tourist attractions and state-of-the-art plastic surgery technologies. Although when including the air fares and accommodation, the price is not lower than treatments in their home country, medical tourists get more than a better look from this type of vacation – they get better, revitalized feelings from the destination’s refreshing atmosphere too. “My partner and I had originally planned to fly in and have the surgery done straight away. As luck would have it, we got to fly to Thailand 5 days earlier than planned and decided to spend them in Pattaya, holidaying. I would definitely recommend this. The time to relax is a bonus, not to mention the additional shopping time….” said Bangkok Plastic Surgery Clinic’s Australian patient Rebecca who underwent breast augmentation surgery in 2006.
The statistics for the year 2006 is yet to come, but it is expected that the rankings will not change much, but the number of procedures might change due a greater variety of options.
I have a 5 month old kitten who was going to be spayed in Feb after Christmas break because the vet had said she needed to be 6 months to be spayed and we did not want to fly her so close after surgery. However at 5 months she went into her first heat, and from what i know will continue to go in and out of heat until she is spayed or meets that special male cat. She will be entering a home with a neutered male cat and staying the for 3 weeks over Christmas and I was wondering if this you be a problem or how they would get along with her in heat.
Anyways, I was wondering what are the guidelines after spaying? would she be ok for air travel? How long after being spayed would it be safe for her to fly?
Thanks!
Oh, she is registered to fly, and approved by the airline, as is the kennel she has.
More looking for health risk of flying after surgery.
Check with your vet.
Check with the airline regarding their pet policy. They may require a certificate of health, and that the animal fit in a carry on kennel that will fit beneath the seat in front of you, but usually nothing more.
The person who first coined the phrase “flying the friendly skies” was obviously not traveling with young children. If at some point in the future you will be finding yourself on a cramped airplane with a rambunctious toddler (or two), first of all let me offer my condolences. As the mother of two boys and a veteran of the so-called friendly skies, I have been in your shoes more than once.
Yes, I know – you don’t need my sympathy, or my empathy, or my condolences. You need help! So, for what it is worth, here are my words of experience (errr, I mean wisdom) on how to survive your next trip:
Toddler Air Travel Tips #1: Do not use the white paper bag in the seat pocket in front of you as a paper airplane!
It does not matter that you spent a small fortune loading your carry-on luggage with goodies aimed at keeping your two-year old entertained for hours. There is an unwritten rule that dictates that your toddler will get bored within the first fifteen minutes of departure.
That white paper bag in the seat pocket in front of you will begin to beckon to you, with the promise that if you transform it into a paper airplane or an origami sculpture, that the tiny passenger sitting beside you will be well-behaved for the next two hours of your trip.
Stop – don’t do it! Trust me, as soon as you dismantle the bag, your toddler will upchuck everything he ate for breakfast. And guess where that spew of regurgitated food bits will be directed. Yes, that’s right – you will be the unwilling recipient! Your pants, your shoes, yes, even your brand new luggage, will be covered in the once-digested remains of his breakfast.
My advice – as soon as you board the plane, locate the paper bag and place it where you can grab it within a moment’s notice. And do not touch it again, unless you need it for its intended use.
Toodler Air Travel Tips #2: Do not let your toddler out of his seat when the fasten seat belt lights turns off.
I don’t have to tell you that toddlers have a difficult time sitting still for two minutes, let alone two hours. Their little legs were built for running, kicking and jumping.
With that in mind, prepare yourself for the fact that your toddler is going to whine, and squirm, and complain, and squirm some more. However, no matter how much he squirms and complains, do not unfasten his seat belt. If you do, be prepared to regret your decision. Why? Well, freed from the constraints of the seat belt, he will wrestle past you into the aisle, and then his inner instinct to run will take over. You can only imagine the rest of the fiasco that will take place.
My advice – do not unbuckle your child’s seat belt for any reason. Better yet, bring his car seat with you on the plane, and strap him in good!
Toddler Air Travel Tips #3: Never make eye contact with the other adult passengers.
Unfortunately, the majority of your co-passengers will not be sympathetic to your situation. There is something about flying, perhaps it’s the cramped conditions, the high altitude, or the recycled air, that makes them forget that they were once children, or had children, or that the world would end if it were not for children. To them, you are the enemy.
My advice – you should avoid making eye contact with the other adult passengers on the plane. Spare yourself the stares and glares, because what you do not know will not hurt you. You have enough on your plate, without adding a big side helping of guilt.
Finally, keep your expectations realistic. You will survive this journey. Perhaps, you will even have your own travel tips and words of wisdom to impart when it’s over!
Are there requirements for covering toddler car seats when checking them as luggage during air travel?
Later this week, we will be flying with our 1 1/2 year-old daughter for the first time. Are there requirements pertaining to how a toddler car seat must be wrapped if you will be checking it as luggage? For instance, is wrapping the car seat in plastic sufficient or must in be placed in something more substantial, like a duffle bag? Thanks for your help!
You do not have to wrap the car-seat; you can hand it to the gate agent right at the gate (not where you drop your suitcase off, but right before you board the plane) and they will gate-check it for you. But it is much better to bring it on board and put the toddler in it for the duration of the flight. This usually costs extra because the child will need his own seat– some airlines charge 10% of adult fee, some charge full fare— but it is worth it because lap babies are NOT safe at all in severe turbulence or in an emergency or crash. This time of year, if you are travelling in the US (particularly across the Midwest) there is very unsettled weather, which means flights will be very bumpy; I have recently seen a flight attendant actually fall down due to unexpected turbulence, and twice in the last year I have seen unrestrained lap babies fall very hard to the floor when the turbulence was very bad. In a crash, your child will have no chance of surviving if he is not restrained. I hate to sound so scary but it’s simply not worth taking that kind of risk with your child’s safety just to save some money— you would never dream of putting him on your lap in the car, going 60mph on the freeway. That plane is going 500mph, 30,000 feet above the ground…
It is safe to fly while pregnant. The NHS advises that women who are having uncomplicated pregnancies can travel, but there is a heightened risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and you should check with your doctor before going.
It is best not to fly before 12 weeks or after 28 weeks. After that, when the risk of going into labour increases, the airline will require a letter from your GP stating that you are fit to travel and confirming your estimated due date. Each airline has its own set of rules, so it’s important you tell the booking agent that you are pregnant and check that you may still fly. If you are booking online, check the airline’s website.
Scheduled airlines tend to let women fly up to around 34 weeks. When you go on a package holiday, a charter flight is usually included in the price. It’s not always obvious which airline is being used so you need to discuss your pregnancy with the holiday company so it can advise you about the airline and its regulations. Ryanair and easyJet both allow expectant mothers to travel up to 36 weeks with a doctor’s letter from 28 weeks. Ferry operators have similar rules to airlines (always check before you travel). Neither Eurostar nor Eurotunnel have any restrictions.
Before take-off …
Telephone the airline in advance to book a bulkhead seat (the bulkhead is the partition that divides a plane into different sections, between business class and economy for example). At check in (arrive early – you will be competing against families with young children also keen to get bulkhead seats), explain that you are pregnant and ask if there is any possibility of being upgraded, or having a seat with a couple of spares next to you. If you can afford it, the best solution to backache and sore ankles is to travel British Airways Business Class or Virgin Atlantic Upper Class, both of which offer a flat bed. Alternatively, many airlines offer a few inches of extra legroom for an extra £200 or so. Use our legroom report, a guide to seat pitches on various airlines.
As pregnant women are relatively high-risk, many insurers stipulate that they will not provide cover if the pregnant woman does not have at least eight weeks to go before her due date on the day she returns from holiday (around 32 weeks’ pregnant for most women). Other insurers have an even lower threshold of 27 or 28 weeks. That means that while you could still claim for losses unrelated to your pregnancy, you would not be covered if you had to cancel your holiday or incurred losses in connection with your pregnancy. If you are used to travelling frequently and already have an annual policy, you will need to call your insurer for advice on its rules. If not, shop around for a single policy, remembering to tell insurance providers that you are pregnant. Make sure you fill in your E111 and always carry it with you. It shows you are eligible for free or reduced cost emergency medical care. It is not a substitute for travel insurance as it only covers emergency care and will not cover the cost of repatriation.
While in the air …
Wear DVT socks.
Wear massage sandals or shoes with adjustable straps in case your feet swell.
Get up and walk around the cabin every two hours or so.
Take an eye mask and ear plugs and wear loose, comfortable clothing.
Rest as much as possible. You can catch that movie on DVD later.
Pregnant women are very susceptible to dehydration, so pack a supply of vitamin-rich fresh fruit such as grapes, plums, oranges or dried apricots. Make sure you have a two-litre bottle of water with you.
Avoid tea and coffee, which may increase the risk of DVT.
Take lots of snacks.
Try to use only natural cosmetics. Your growing baby will absorb everything you do. Pregnant women are more prone to travel sickness and wrist bands may help.
And on holiday …
Take copies of your medical notes, insurance policy or E111 with you, as well as a list of names and numbers of people who should be contacted in case of emergency. Obtain a list of the locations of local hospitals from the local embassy or tourist board.
Your skin is more sensitive during pregnancy, so wear a higher factor of sunscreen than you usually need.
Avoid diving and water sports while pregnant.
Above all relax and enjoy yourself on what could be your last nappy-free holiday. If you are happy, your baby will be happy.
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