Healthy Travel During Pregnancy

With proper planning and advice, travel during pregnancy is not a problem.  To ensure that you and your baby remain healthy during travel, you need to consider the stage of your pregnancy, your current physical condition, and any restrictions or problems you and your doctor have discussed.

Also, talk to your doctor about visits or tests you need to schedule, so that you are not away during the time these are to take place.  Prenatal visits, scheduled ultrasound tests, glucose screening tests or Rh immunoglobulin injections (for those whose blood type is Rh negative).

Assuming your doctor says it is OK for you to travel, be sure you prepare a complete list of contact names and phone numbers to take with you.  If you have problems during your trip and need care or attention, health care professionals or other travelers can ensure that you get appropriate care.  This information should include:

• Your name, age and blood type, and any medications you are taking, as well as your health care insurance information.  Also include your due date, the date of your most recent doctor appointment, any allergies you may have to medication or foods, and any immunizations you may have had before travel.
• Your doctor’s name and contact information
• Any doctor’s name and phone number you may be using while you are away from home
• Emergency contact information for your family (include more than one contact)
• Be sure you have ample supply of prescription and over the counter medications, and prenatal vitamins.

Make certain that your health insurance polity covers pregnancy, delivery and other complications during travel and be sure to double check any restrictions that may apply to travel in foreign countries. 
 
Check the availability of travel insurance on your airline, or other carrier, to be sure that you are covered if you have to miss part of, or your entire, trip because of pregnancy related health problems or if you incur emergency expenses during your trip.  Ask if this insurance covers complications from pregnancy and emergency transport.

Carry a cell phone, especially if you're traveling alone, and be sure that your cell phone will function in any foreign country to which you may be traveling.