5 Things to keep in mind when travelling as a Mum-to-be
5 Things to keep in mind when travelling as a Mum-to-be :
Being pregnant shouldn’t stop you from travelling. Every expectant mum will take some precautions when they’re heading off on vacation, but there are a few important things that they should all remember when they travel. Read our helpful guide of the five top things you need to know whilst travelling when pregnant.
1. Which Holiday Is For Me? :
Before you even book a getaway to an exciting new location, it’s important to consider what kind of holiday would be the most relaxing for a mum-to-be. According to travel pregnancy experts, the best kinds of holidays are relaxed, comfortable and much more enjoyable for a pregnant woman.
Think about booking pampering excursions to spas (many will have pregnancy-specific treatments available), or a villa break to get a change of scenery – without sacrificing the location or the chance to escape from the everyday.
2. Location:
You might want to explore the world before the birth of your child, but the world isn’t always welcoming to expectant mothers. Pregnancy experts BabyCenter recommend a staycation over international travel during pregnancy, where travel times are minimal and you’re less likely to feel uncomfortable or develop cramping due to lack of movement. Long-haul flights can be especially uncomfortable, and most doctors recommend travelling to locations no more than four hours away for easier travel.
3. Is it safe? :
Travel can affect every trimester of your pregnancy, so it’s important to know when it’s safe to travel. Most airlines will not let women in the third trimester fly, as their risk of going into labour is increased so late in the pregnancy. According to the NHS, many women find the first trimester uncomfortable to travel in as they are often susceptible to sickness, nausea and increased tiredness. As mentioned above, the second trimester is the best time to travel, but be aware of how you can make your journey comfortable, especially if you are choosing to fly.
4. Sun safety :
We all know that sun protection is hugely important when we’re travelling, but it is even more so for pregnant women. Sunbathing exposes the skin to ultraviolet rays which can be incredibly dangerous for expectant mothers: as their hormone levels rise, the skin becomes more sensitive and can be burned more easily.
Make sure you keep yourself hydrated, try to stay out of direct sunlight and stock up on the SPF 50 to make sure you and your baby are protected from the sun.
5. Food and drink :
Though pregnant mothers will be familiar with what they can and can’t eat, it’s good to be especially aware on holiday, when you can’t always trace the origins of the food you’re eating. Try to eat as freshly as possible within the confines of a pregnancy diet and stick to drinking bottled water unless you know exactly where the water has come from
