Couples expecting babies often choose to take one last trip before the baby comes along, bringing demands of time and energy that will likely limit the alone time new parents had come to enjoy. Traveling while pregnant introduces some new elements that need to be addressed during the planning stage but most healthy pregnant women can enjoy travel until well into the pregnancy.
Many doctors actually advise taking a babymoon to give the couple time to indulge in privacy, relaxation, and romance that may be difficult to schedule as parents. For best enjoyment, keep these safe travel tips in mind when planning a babymoon.
- Travel During the Second Trimester
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) recommends travel during the second trimester. The first trimester is often fraught with nausea and fatigue that only get worse when traveling and travel during the third trimester is just too uncomfortable to be fun or romantic for many women. - Consult Your Doctor
Make sure your doctor knows where you’re going. Get a pre-babymoon checkup to make sure all is well and to address any restrictions on mode of travel or activities. Only travel to locations which provide excellent pregnancy care. - Stay Connected
Don’t go someplace so remote that modern telecommunications devices won’t work. Keep your doctor’s phone number handy, including an after-hours emergency contact number. Make sure transportation is handy and ready to go if an emergency arises. - Check for Travel Alerts
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains an online database of travel alerts for all US states and territories and for all global nations. If your intended destination is experiencing an outbreak, natural disaster, or some other risky situation, it’s probably a good idea to re-route the itinerary to someplace more pregnancy-friendly. - Don’t Push the Envelope
Even the most athletic pregnant woman must be mindful of the physical challenges of pregnancy. This is not the time for bungee jumping, skydiving, rock climbing, or any other physical challenges that can easily turn dangerous. Focus on romance and relaxation instead. - Keep the Water Coming
Dehydration is exhausting so keep water handy and sip on it all day, including while en route to your destination. All that water may mean more trips to the loo but each trip is an opportunity to stretch muscles and minimize cramping. - Take Frequent Walking Breaks
Sitting too long in a plane, train, or automobile causes muscles to cramp, joints to stiffen, and feet and legs to swell. The ACOG recommends no more than 6 hours of continuous travel on any given day. Even better is to break travel time into small segments with frequent stops for walking around, stretching the muscles, and to keep the blood pumping healthily.
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Source: Salahi, Lara. “Healthy travel tips for babymooners.” Boston.com / Ultra Sound Pregnancy. Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC. Nov 20, 2013. Web. Jan 29, 2014.