You're having a baby and your body is going through all kinds of changes. There will be a lot of excitement and happiness, but there will also be a fair amount of fatigue and hormonal changes that will follow as your pregnancy progresses. So in the first trimester, most people experience nausea and morning sickness, so travelling is just not appealing. Also, doctors prefer that you don't travel then. By the third trimester, you'll feel huge and tired most of the time. So the ideal time to travel is during your second trimester. Make the most of this time to travel, unwind and enjoy time with your family and friends. Once the baby arrives, things are definitely going to change.
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But before you start making travel plans and decide on your destination, there are a few questions that need answering.
Have You Been Cleared For Travel By Your Doctor
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So most doctors will tell you that the second trimester is the perfect time to travel.
- My doctor told me to travel as much as I could in my second trimester. We really travelled a lot for those three months. This will be the last time for a long time that you'll be travelling with only your things. The next time you travel, with your baby, it's going to be a different ball game.
- You should get a medical certificate from your doctor in case the airlines ask for one. Most airlines have a 32 weeks restriction, after which they place a restriction on flying.
Access To Medical Care
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Whatever destination you are choosing, make sure it has proper medical facilities close by.
- You don't want to go to a place which does not have access to medical facilities in case of an emergency.
- In case there is an emergency, you should be able to get to a hospital – fast. If you're at some off-beat destination which is so remote it is cut off from decent hospitals, that could be dangerous for your baby and you.
Kind Of Food Available 
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When you're on a holiday you want to enjoy eating the local fare. But before you choose your destination, think of the list of food you should avoid during your pregnancy.
- You know shellfish is a no-no during this time, so if you're thinking of a beach holiday, make sure there is enough of other food for you to eat.
- You have to eat healthy and nutritious food for your baby's good health and yours. So eat only at clean and hygienic places.
- Make sure you drink bottled water only when you're outside the house. The number of waterborne illnesses is alarmingly high and the medicines used to treat most of them are not safe for use during pregnancy.
- Keep snacks like nuts, khakra or chikki in your hand bag so that you can nibble at regular intervals.
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Travel Distance
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You should ideally travel to destinations that don't involve long travel time.
- Sitting in one spot for long is not healthy. Long distance travel (anything more than 5 hours) carries a risk of conditions like DVT.
- If you're flying, drink plenty of water and move about regularly – every 30 minutes or so. You can buy a pair of graduated compression or support stockings, which will help reduce leg swelling that is bound to happen. Check with your doctor about it.
- If you're travelling by car, stop at regular intervals to stretch your legs and get your blood circulation going.
Mode of Transport
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Choose your mode of transport carefully.
- If you're travelling by car, keep the air circulating in the car and wear your seatbelt with the cross strap between your breasts and the lap strap across your pelvis under your bump, not across your bump.
- If you're flying by commercial airlines, then the cabin will be pressurised for passenger comfort but that's safe for your travel. You could experience a minuscule drop in oxygen levels, so be alert to any discomfort you might experience.
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Health Hazard
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Please check that the destination you have in mind is not in a Zika infected country.
- The WHO has issued this advice based on the increased risk of microcephaly and other congenital malformations in babies born to pregnant women infected with Zika virus.
- Microcephaly is a condition where a baby is born with a small head or the head stops growing after birth.
- There are countries which require vaccines to be taken prior to travel. Some of them cannot be given to pregnant women. So research well before you decide on your destination.
Activities To Do
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The destination you choose should be one where you can unwind and relax.
- Now that you're pregnant, try to take a break from demanding activities like adventure activities, non-stop shopping or long sight seeing trips. These activities may have been stress busters earlier but it may not be a good idea to indulge in them now. Getting plenty of rest will help you feel better and give you enough energy to enjoy your holiday completely.
- Pregnancy is not an excuse to stop doing stuff you enjoyed earlier, but pick your activities based on your health condition.
- Don't push yourself beyond a point, your body will not react to intensive activities well. It's just going through so many changes.
So now you've armed with the information you should keep in mind before settling on a destination, pick one that's going to make you happy and enjoy your holiday to the fullest. One more thing, always keep your medical information and doctor's number handy when you're out and about.
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Rushita Sheth
Rati Ramadas Girish
Mansi Zaveri
KSP Team
