In line with its mission, the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony makes every effort to provide reliable medical content supported by the latest scientific knowledge. The additional flag “Checked Content” indicates that the article has been reviewed by or written directly by a physician. This two-step verification: a medical journalist and a doctor allows us to provide the highest quality content in line with current medical knowledge.
Our commitment in this area has been appreciated, among others, by by the Association of Journalists for Health, which awarded the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony with the honorary title of the Great Educator.
Not all women can and want to change their habits and professional duties just because they are pregnant. They feel well, have no major ailments and want to continue doing their current activities, including traveling.
The risks associated with traveling during pregnancy depend on the distance traveled, means of transport, presence of an accompanying person, time of year, physical and mental strain accompanying the trip, and the availability of medical assistance if necessary. During the trip, exposure to harmful factors should also be taken into account – especially toxic and pathogenic factors.
Before the doctor decides whether the patient is allowed to travel, she needs to know about the current pregnancy and possible previous pregnancies (whether they have had a miscarriage or premature birth) and what problems the expectant mother has. He should determine if the pregnancy is physiological or high-risk, if the patient has had any spotting, and if so, what is the cause of the spotting, is it gone, or if it still persists (e.g. due to the presence of placenta previa). ). The age of pregnancy and whether it is single or multiple is also important. In the case of a twin pregnancy, the journey is burdened with a much greater risk than in a single pregnancy.
A woman going on a trip must have a pregnancy card with her and the results of all previous tests, including ultrasound. Among the laboratory tests, information about the blood group is the most important.
The optimal travel date is second trimester of pregnancy. Then the first negative symptoms disappear, the pregnancy is confirmed and it is known that it is developing properly.
Travel by plane or bus – as a result of prolonged immobilization – is associated with an increased risk of thrombophlebitis. In the plane, this is combined with physiological dehydration at high altitudes, which further increases the likelihood of thrombophlebitis. Therefore, pregnant women traveling by bus or plane are advised to get up frequently, walk on board, exercise the legs, possibly – use anti-varicose stockings and anticoagulants, such as aspirin, and drink plenty of fluids. You should also remember that airline regulations do not allow women over 36 weeks of pregnancy to travel.
In the case of car travel, 15-minute breaks, combined with walking and exercise, are recommended after every two hours of riding. A pregnant woman must absolutely wear seat belts.
In the case of foreign travel, it is often necessary to carry out the appropriate preventive vaccinations. The decision on the advisability of carrying out them in a pregnant woman should be made depending on the destination country, the woman’s health condition and the presence of any antibodies. Live virus vaccines (e.g. against rubella, measles or influenza) should be avoided. The basis for qualifying a pregnant woman for vaccination is to compare the risk of the disease with the risk of post-vaccination complications that may occur in the mother and the fetus.
Text: lek. med. Ewa Zarudzka