Culinary dishes
A pregnant woman should remember that when coming to unfamiliar countries and places, she should not try new culinary dishes. This is due to the fact that allergic reactions to exotic fruits and local cuisine (oysters, shellfish, etc.) may occur. If the expectant mother wants to choose a holiday in Cyprus, Crete or Turkey, then the optimal time for travel will be spring or autumn, and not hot summer. In March or April, the air temperature in these areas is 25-28 ° C, there is no large influx of tourists as in summer, during the peak season. And if the water in the sea is cool, then every hotel has a swimming pool with heated water. When traveling abroad, a pregnant woman must find out whether medical insurance is included in her travel documents and whether medical care during pregnancy is included in this insurance policy.
Traveling during pregnancy - Planning a vacation.
The expectant mother needs positive emotions. And the best way to get them is to change the environment. Maybe it's worth going on a trip? But what will the doctors say?
Most experts now agree that expecting a baby is not a reason to sit at home, yawning from boredom. Do you want to go on a voyage? Forward! But subject to good health and the consent of the doctor observing you. The main thing is not to go on an odyssey during the first (at this time, the “laying in” of all the baby’s organs occurs) and last months of pregnancy and not at the height of the tourist season. Crowds of people at airports, crowded hotels, loud children's voices, crazy heat, deafening music coming from everywhere... For pregnant women, such conditions carry a double burden on the body and negatively affect the psychological state. Therefore, the best option for relaxation in your situation is the autumn months. When choosing a country of residence, avoid exotic wonders. There is a risk of contracting malaria, yellow fever, cholera or another “native” disease there. In addition, local food, water, flora and fauna can trigger allergies.
Which summer vacation option will the expectant mother choose?
Among the endless number of offers from travel agencies, the expectant mother should not stop at extreme travel, since such a mistake when choosing a vacation spot or tour can lead to the birth of a baby in a foreign country or during the trip itself.
When choosing a place to relax, pregnant women should pay great attention to the microclimate. Other points play a secondary role and, in general, it all depends on your attitude and desire. Below we have compiled a list of countries where it is not recommended to travel if you are pregnant.
Air travel
The most convenient form of transport for a pregnant woman planning a trip is an airplane. You can fly on airplanes until the 36th week of pregnancy in the absence of medical contraindications. From the middle of the second trimester of pregnancy, a medical certificate from the attending physician confirming that there are no contraindications to air travel must be attached to the boarding ticket. It is useful for expectant mothers to know that Western airlines prohibit flights for pregnant women from the 26th to 28th week of pregnancy. There is an opinion among experts that a pregnant woman should still be careful about traveling by plane. This is due to the fact that during takeoff and landing there is a change in atmospheric pressure, which leads to contraction of blood vessels and can cause premature placental abruption, rupture of the membranes and the occurrence of premature birth are possible.
In an airplane cabin, it is best for the expectant mother to take a seat in the first row or near the aisle; this will give the pregnant woman the opportunity to stretch her legs so that they do not become numb. During the flight, the back of the seat should be lowered and take a comfortable position, and small pillows should be placed under the neck and lower back. During the flight, a pregnant woman is recommended to periodically get up and walk around the cabin to prevent congestion in the veins of the legs; she should perform light exercises for her legs, making rotational movements with her feet and moving her toes. Doctors recommend using compression (anti-varicose) stockings during the flight. Considering that the air in the aircraft cabin is dry, a pregnant woman needs to drink more liquids (tea, juice, water) during the flight.
What are the risks of traveling by bus for a pregnant woman?
The only obvious advantage of the bus is the affordable ticket price; you can also note the fact that in some directions there is simply no alternative. This type of transport has many more disadvantages:
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- The condition of the roads often leaves much to be desired, which means that the bus will shake violently throughout the entire journey, which can lead to numerous negative consequences for the pregnant woman (uterine tone, premature onset of labor, and in the early stages - miscarriage).
- For long hours you will have to sit in a narrow chair, practically without changing position, which can lead to thrombosis, edema, and impaired circulation of the pelvic organs (as a result of fetal hypoxia). Unlike a train or an airplane, you won’t be able to walk around the bus while it’s moving to stretch your legs.
- Not all regular buses have a toilet (even if there is one, it is often closed and does not work), so sanitary stops are made every 3 hours. A pregnant woman can rarely feel comfortable if she has to go to the toilet on a schedule. In addition, you have to reduce the amount of fluid consumed, which can also negatively affect your well-being, especially in the hot season.
- Contrary to popular belief, during short stops it will most likely not be possible to walk, stretch and breathe fresh air for one simple reason, stated in the previous paragraph. With a high degree of probability, you will have to spend the entire stop in line for the toilet.
- Some buses (but not all) have seat belts, which is certainly a good thing. But for a pregnant woman, this turns into another test, since sitting fastened to a chair, especially towards the end of the second trimester, when the tummy is already noticeable, is quite difficult. The belt must be passed over the lower abdomen and not unfastened for a long time every 2-3 hours.
- If you stay in a confined space with a large number of people for several hours, the risk of contracting some infectious disease transmitted by airborne droplets increases significantly.
- Last but not least, when traveling by bus (especially if you need to cross a border), you can never be sure how long it will last, since a traffic jam or line at customs can easily turn 7 hours into 10 or even 12.
Thus, it becomes clear that when choosing a bus, you should be 100% confident in your health and stamina; at the slightest sign of malaise, exacerbation of chronic diseases, toxicosis, high or low blood pressure, it is better to postpone the trip.
