Just recently, a pregnant woman told me that she and her boyfriend had quickly booked a "babymoon" before the baby arrives. With this neologism made up of "baby" and "honeymoon", the travel industry has discovered pregnant women and their partners as a new target group. Pampering days for two, including special offers such as candlelight dinners, pregnancy yoga or "dad's driving licence", are intended to guarantee carefree holidays. Relax once again before sleepless nights and baby cries get on your nerves. Because with a child you "can't do much anyway", I keep hearing from expectant parents. Is that really the case? Also read the Article Travelling with a child on my blog. In any case, you can also enjoy a fun holiday with a baby bump. Here are a few recommendations:
To travel during pregnancy, your pregnancy should be normal and you should not have any illnesses. I would recommend that all expectant mothers discuss their holiday plans with their midwife or doctor in advance. This is mandatory for pregnant women if they have the following abnormalities:
- High blood pressure or cardiovascular or lung diseases
- diagnosed Pre-eclampsia
- Placental insufficiency
- Growth retardation of the child
- Increased risk of miscarriage
- Current premature birth attempts or history of repeated premature births
- Anaemia
But even if you are fit and healthy, there are activities and destinations that are best avoided during pregnancy. With a baby bump, for example, it's not the right time to bump along dusty tracks in a safari jeep, hike through remote jungle areas or test your diving equipment on the reef.
Of course, when it comes to travelling, every pregnant woman has her own individual ideas, wishes and preferences as to what would be good for her right now. Maybe you just want to relax and be pampered. You may prefer to energise yourself by being active and doing sport. Or a mix of both would be just right for you. Listen to your feelings or your body now, this will give you a good idea of how you can organise your holiday.
So if you keep a few things in mind, you can enjoy a carefree holiday even with a baby bump. However, don't forget to take your Maternity passport and pack your insurance card!
Which stage of pregnancy is best for travelling?
Many expectant mothers prefer the second trimester of pregnancy as the ideal time for a holiday. This is because most of them feel fit and energised during this time. If you experienced morning sickness in the first trimester, this has now regularly subsided. The hormones have levelled out. And unlike in the third trimester, a bulging belly does not yet affect mobility. In addition, in the second trimester there is little risk of the baby being born earlier than planned at the holiday destination.
Where to go when travelling during pregnancy go?
The world is big and beautiful! Nevertheless, there are destinations that expectant mothers should avoid. Generally speaking, domestic and European destinations are ideal for travelling during pregnancy. Here the journey is usually manageable and there are no time differences with jet lag in your luggage. The climate is often not that much different from that in domestic regions and the risk of contracting illnesses is also lower than in exotic climes.
When looking for a suitable holiday destination, it is advisable to consider the following aspects:
Climate:
Extreme heat and a warm and humid tropical climate put a strain on the circulation - especially that of pregnant women. Dizziness can be an unpleasant side effect. And don't forget: even countries in southern Europe can reach temperatures of up to 40 degrees in midsummer.
"Off to the mountains", say some pregnant women. Good idea - but if possible, don't stay above 2,500 metres above sea level. And please don't hike higher than 1,800 to 2,000 metres. This is because the air pressure decreases at higher altitudes. If you are not sufficiently acclimatised here, you will soon be panting because you are out of breath, may be struggling for oxygen or even have to fight dizziness.
Health risks:
You should pay particular attention to the hygiene conditions and the standard of medical care at your holiday destination. The fact that in many countries you should avoid using ice cubes in tap water, for example, or that it is better to use bottled water to brush your teeth, is just one aspect of local hygiene. So make sure you are well informed about what to expect. The same applies to medical care. In other words, how quickly can you reach medical care or a hospital - and what is the quality of medical care there? The cuisine in foreign countries can also sometimes cause diarrhoea more quickly than you would like. The tried and tested rule for travellers - and not just for pregnant women - remains as popular as ever: "Cook it, peel it or forget it!" (Cook it, peel it or leave it alone!)
Also find out whether and which travel vaccinations may be necessary. You can find out more about vaccinations during pregnancy here on my blog. Countries for which you need malaria or yellow fever prophylaxis, for example, are best crossed off your list of possible holiday destinations.
Journey:
Another aspect that should not be underestimated is the duration of the journey. Of course, it makes a difference whether you spend 10 hours in a car, two hours on a plane or five hours on a train. Many pregnant women find sitting for long periods of time uncomfortable. It also harbours the risk of thrombosis, especially on the plane.
Entry restrictions:
Some countries, such as the USA, have specific entry requirements for pregnant women. To avoid unpleasant surprises, find out about these in advance.
How do I get to my destination?
When choosing a means of transport, safety and comfort are top priorities for expectant mothers. Comfortable clothing always ensures a greater sense of well-being.
By car:
Whether you are travelling alone or as a passenger, you should take a break in the car after two hours at the latest so that you can move around. Of course, pregnant women are also required to wear a seat belt. To ensure the belt fits perfectly, let the shoulder belt run between your breasts. The lap belt, on the other hand, lies tightly against your pelvis deep below your stomach. To minimise any dangers from the airbag, the seat should be pushed back as far as possible. The ADAC recommends that pregnant passengers should sit at least 30 cm away from the dashboard. Pregnant drivers should still be able to reach the pedals safely and easily. You can find out more about driving during pregnancy here on my blog.
By train:
Travelling to your holiday destination by rail can be very relaxing. The best way to do this is to make a seat reservation. You have a relatively large amount of legroom on the trains. You can also get up at any time to move around a bit. If you don't want to burden yourself with heavy suitcases, you can also use the luggage service with its various offers (for a corresponding fee). Your luggage can even be collected from your home and transported directly to your holiday destination.
By aeroplane:
In principle, there is nothing to stop expectant mothers travelling by plane. However, get the "green light" from a medical point of view beforehand.
Important to know: Airlines usually no longer carry pregnant women after the 36th week of pregnancy in order to avoid a possible birth in the air. This limit may be earlier with some airlines. Some airlines also require proof of the week of pregnancy and/or a medical clearance certificate. Find out in advance about the current requirements of your chosen airline.
When checking in, get a seat with as much legroom as possible - preferably at the emergency exit or at least on the aisle. Do not obstruct your own legroom by placing hand luggage under the seat in front of you. Fasten the seat belt in your seat below your stomach. This way it will not be constricted or squeezed and your child will not be impaired. Don't forget to drink plenty of fluids on board too. Even in the air, regular exercise helps to keep the blood circulation going and thus reduce the risk of thrombosis. Rock or circle your feet in place or take a few steps through the aisles. You may also consider compression stockings against thrombosis.
What insurance(s) do I need when travelling during pregnancy?
Familiarise yourself with the cancellation options for your trip in advance. Depending on what you are planning, it may also be worth taking out travel cancellation insurance. If you decide to do this, read the famous small print. Pregnancy complications in particular should be covered so that you can cancel your booking or interrupt your holiday if necessary.
If you want to take out health insurance abroad, you should also take a close look: For pregnant women in particular, it is important to check whether a "medical more sensible repatriation" is covered - or only the usual "medical repatriation". necessary Return transport".
Arrived at your holiday destination
Here I would definitely advocate: take it slow! You don't have to discover all the sights and try out all the wellness offers at the hotel on your first day. Just find a good rhythm between activities and breaks - and don't be afraid to take a nap in between on holiday.
