If you want to travel or drive during pregnancy, then you must seek approval from your doctor and take proper precautions depending on the stage of your pregnancy. Find more about the precautions that you need to take while travelling or driving during pregnancy.If you are considering a travel in pregnancy, the 2nd trimester is said to be the safest time for you. However, in case you want to travel or drive thereafter, you need to seek advice of your doctor.In any case you need to ensure you are not exerting too much pressure on yourself and taking frequent breaks. Whether you are driving yourself or travelling, do stretch your legs and carry all necessary medicines with you. You should be well prepared to deal with climate, altitude and food changes. You must always make sure to wear belt when you are driving. In this articleIs it Safe to Travel during 3rd Trimester?Is it Safe to Continue Driving?Driving and Travelling in the 1st and 2nd TrimesterDriving and Travelling in the 3rd TrimesterTravel Immunisation during PregnancyEffects of Long Distance Travel in PregnancyTips for Travelling During PregnancyIs it Safe to Travel during 3rd Trimester?In the 3rd trimester, this is a definite no-no. Not only is it uncomfortable physically but mentally as well. Because you never know when you will go into labour, and not have your doctor ready at hand. In fact, airlines rarely allow pregnant women to fly without a doctors written permission. So avoid travelling as far as possible.Is it Safe to Continue Driving?As long as you are not feeling dizzy and can fit comfortably behind the wheel, you can drive short distances. Avoid long car trips as they will be draining. Just make sure that you do not drive yourself to hospital in labour! If no one is around, it is more practical to hire a cab.Driving and Travelling in the 1st and 2nd TrimesterGenerally, the 1st trimester is the most vulnerable period, when you need to be very careful. Here are some considerations that you need to keep in mind.You must not drive or travel if you experience cramps, bleeding or spotting.Problems like swelling can make your conditions worse when you travel or drive for long.If you are diagnosed with a high risk pregnancy then you need to be extra careful. Driving or travelling in this case is simply not a good idea.If you are planning a trip, you need to plan sensibly after consulting your doctor. Driving and Travelling in the 3rd TrimesterThis is your final trimester when you may get into labour. There are chances of your water breaking or you may encounter some other problems as well. You shall have to see your doctor for regular tests and ultrasounds. Since the exact time of your labour cannot be predicted, you need to be careful and discuss your travel plans with your doctor well in advance,While you may drive, if you feel fine, but make sure to wear the seatbelts around you. In fact it is necessary you wear it in every stage of your pregnancy. You would be making a mistake thinking the seatbelt shall affect your baby in some ways. In fact a seatbelt shall keep you further secured and take care of your baby if you meet with an accident.Travel Immunisation during PregnancyTravellers in the developing nations are immunised against typhoid. The vaccines administered are generally safe for the unborn children and there is adequate scientific evidence to support it as well. However, you must follow your doctor’s advice with respect to travel immunisation in pregnancy.The influenza vaccine is highly recommended for pregnant women. However, live virus vaccine such as measles and mumps must be avoided in pregnancy.Vaccines like yellow fever are administered very carefully in the 1st trimester of pregnancy. Generally, women are advised to travel to developing countries later or may be till their babies are born.Effects of Long Distance Travel in PregnancyIf you are planning a long distance travel in pregnancy, you may increase risks of clot formation in your leg veins. This is known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The risks increase in the following cases:If any member of your family had deep vein thrombosis (DVT).In case you have multiple pregnancies.If you are overweight or more than 100kgIf you had suffered from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the past.Tips for Travelling During PregnancyWhile it is best to avoid driving or travelling to long distances in this case, here are some precautionary measures that you can keep in mind:Remember to exercise your legs frequently.Take breaks and walk at times.Keep yourself hydrated and drink lots of water.Reduce your caffeine intake.Since it is always better safe than sorry, keep in mind these precautionary measures and enjoy a healthy pregnancy.Is it safe to travel or drive during pregnancy? Can pregnant women drive in third trimester? What precautions should be taken while travelling or driving during pregnancy? Discuss here.
If you want to travel or drive during pregnancy, then you must seek approval from your doctor and take proper precautions depending on the stage of your pregnancy. Find more about the precautions that you need to take while travelling or driving during pregnancy.If you are considering a travel in pregnancy, the 2nd trimester is said to be the safest time for you. However, in case you want to travel or drive thereafter, you need to seek advice of your doctor.
In any case you need to ensure you are not exerting too much pressure on yourself and taking frequent breaks. Whether you are driving yourself or travelling, do stretch your legs and carry all necessary medicines with you. You should be well prepared to deal with climate, altitude and food changes. You must always make sure to wear belt when you are driving.
Is it Safe to Travel during 3rd Trimester?
In the 3rd trimester, this is a definite no-no. Not only is it uncomfortable physically but mentally as well. Because you never know when you will go into
labour, and not have your doctor ready at hand. In fact, airlines rarely allow pregnant women to fly without a doctor's written permission. So avoid travelling as far as possible.
Is it Safe to Continue Driving?
As long as you are not
feeling dizzy and can fit comfortably behind the wheel, you can drive short distances. Avoid long car trips as they will be draining. Just make sure that you do not drive yourself to hospital in labour! If no one is around, it is more practical to hire a cab.
Driving and Travelling in the 1st and 2nd Trimester
Generally, the
1st trimester is the most vulnerable period, when you need to be very careful. Here are some considerations that you need to keep in mind.
- You must not drive or travel if you experience cramps, bleeding or spotting.
- Problems like swelling can make your conditions worse when you travel or drive for long.
- If you are diagnosed with a high risk pregnancy then you need to be extra careful. Driving or travelling in this case is simply not a good idea.
- If you are planning a trip, you need to plan sensibly after consulting your doctor.
Driving and Travelling in the 3rd Trimester
This is your final trimester when you may get into labour. There are chances of your water breaking or you may encounter some other problems as well. You shall have to see your doctor for regular tests and
ultrasounds. Since the exact time of your labour cannot be predicted, you need to be careful and discuss your travel plans with your doctor well in advance,
While you may drive, if you feel fine, but make sure to wear the seatbelts around you. In fact it is necessary you wear it in every stage of your pregnancy. You would be making a mistake thinking the seatbelt shall affect your baby in some ways. In fact a seatbelt shall keep you further secured and take care of your baby if you meet with an accident.
Travel Immunisation during Pregnancy
Travellers in the developing nations are immunised against typhoid. The vaccines administered are generally safe for the unborn children and there is adequate scientific evidence to support it as well. However, you must follow your doctor’s advice with respect to travel immunisation in pregnancy.
The influenza vaccine is highly recommended for pregnant women. However, live virus vaccine such as measles and mumps must be avoided in pregnancy.
Vaccines like yellow fever are administered very carefully in the 1st trimester of pregnancy. Generally, women are advised to travel to developing countries later or may be till their babies are born.
Effects of Long Distance Travel in Pregnancy
If you are planning a long distance travel in pregnancy, you may increase risks of clot formation in your leg veins. This is known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The risks increase in the following cases:
- If any member of your family had deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
- In case you have multiple pregnancies.
- If you are overweight or more than 100kg
- If you had suffered from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the past.
Tips for Travelling During Pregnancy
While it is best to avoid driving or travelling to long distances in this case, here are some precautionary measures that you can keep in mind:
- Remember to exercise your legs frequently.
- Take breaks and walk at times.
- Keep yourself hydrated and drink lots of water.
- Reduce your caffeine intake.
Since it is always better safe than sorry, keep in mind these precautionary measures and enjoy a healthy pregnancy.
Is it safe to travel or drive during pregnancy? Can pregnant women drive in third trimester? What precautions should be taken while travelling or driving during pregnancy? Discuss here.
