Although some people think that traveling during pregnancy is bad, it doesn't have to be dangerous as long as some guidelines are taken into account. For this, we inform you about the advantages and risks of each means of transport, as well as the recommended destinations and those that should be avoided.
Below you have an index with all the points that we are going to deal with in this article.
Transport
There are some means of transport in which it is not advised that a pregnant woman travel from a certain stage of pregnancy.
Airplane
If you plan to fly by plane while you are pregnant, you should know the conditions of the airline with which you have hired the flight. Some of them require you to present a medical certificate from week 28 and do not allow you to board if you are pregnant for more than 36 weeks (32 if it is a multiple pregnancy). They are the following:
- Emirates
- Turkish airlines
- Ryanair
- Vueling
There are also others that, despite having similar guidelines, have some different characteristic from the previous ones. The most important are these:
- Argentinian airlines
- if they exceed 8 weeks of gestation, the form must be accompanied Transportation of Pregnant Passengers of a medical certificate.
- Aeromexico
- until week 28, you can fly with the Customer Notification Letter. From 29 to 37, a medical certificate issued in the previous five days must also be submitted. They cannot fly high-risk pregnant people or more than 38 weeks.
- Air Berlin
- It is possible up to four weeks before delivery and a pregnancy card or a medical certificate may be required.
- American Airlines
- If the delivery is within four weeks, a medical certificate made within the last 48 hours is mandatory. The limit is extended up to 7 days if it is a domestic flight of less than five hours.
- Avianca
- The medical certificate is presented as of week 30 and must be up to 10 days old. In addition, a document that exempts the airline from any liability must be signed.
- Binter
- just fill in the document Disclaimer from the 28th week of pregnancy.
- easyJet
- It is allowed to fly until week 35 or 32 if it is a multiple pregnancy.
- Iberia
- an authorization is requested as of week 28.
- Interjet
- There are no restrictions or ask for a certificate.
- KLM
- It is not advisable to fly from week 36.
- LATAM (LAN)
- If you request it at least 24 hours in advance, you can count on a maximum assistance service. A certificate must be delivered from week 28. After week 36, a certification authorized by LATAN doctors must be obtained within 48 hours prior to the flight. You cannot fly from 39.
- Lufthansa
- It is recommended to carry a medical certificate from week 28. You can fly to 36 (the 28 if it is multiple gestation).
- Norwegian
- pregnant women are admitted up to 4 weeks before delivery. If it is a flight less than four hours, you can go between 4 and 2 weeks before delivery if you carry a medical certificate.
- TAP
- If traveling from week 36 (32 if it is multiple pregnancy), a medical certificate is required.
- Swiss
- You can fly until the 36th week of pregnancy, 32 if this is multiple.
- Volaris
- after week 28 a medical certificate is needed.
The main reason why airlines limit the right to fly in the last weeks of pregnancy is to avoid childbirth on board. Regardless of the conditions of each company, IATA (International Air Transport Association) sets the recommended limit in the 36 weeks of pregnancy, 32 for a multiple pregnancy.
One of the few risks of flying pregnant is to suffer venous thrombosis as a result of sitting in a narrow space for too long.
To avoid this, it is advisable to choose a seat with space, wear compression stockings and get up a few minutes every hour. Also, heparin can also be taken as long as there is a medical prescription.
As for the radiation, although in an airplane it is greater than on the ground due to the height that it reaches, there is no scientific study that justifies that this could harm the fetus.
There is also no problem added in other aerial means such as the helicopter or the hot air balloon.
Ship
In general, traveling on a boat or cruise ship is not dangerous for a pregnant woman. However, some companies request a medical certificate or limit travel from a certain stage of pregnancy.
In the case of the Naviera Armas company, women with a pregnancy of up to 36 weeks can get on board. Instead, the shipping company Fred. Olsen Express does not meet any specific requirements in its General Transportation Conditions.
The symptom that can suffer most is that of nausea and dizziness, which increase in women who are pregnant. However, the larger the ship, it is more stable and, therefore, there is less risk.
Bus and car
The bus is considered the worst means of transport for pregnant women. Among the causes, we find that some models do not have a bathroom. In addition, there is hardly any mobility and it is dangerous to walk through it.
If you are going to go in this vehicle, it is advisable to choose a seat as spacious as possible and a journey in which several stops are made in case the trip is long. It is also inappropriate to move on a motorcycle, as there are greater risks.
On the other hand, the car is a recommended option, since it gives the trip greater freedom. It is important to stop every two hours to stretch your legs and walk.
The worst stage to drive is from 7 months of pregnancy, since you do not have the same mobility. Also, whether you drive or not, the belt It should always be placed below the belly, as we can see in this image:
Train
Unlike the bus, the train is more advisable during the gestation period, since there is greater freedom when it comes to moving: there is no problem in getting up for a walk and they have toilets.
Also, the movement of the train does not usually affect pregnant women since it is mild, especially in the most modern models of high-speed trains, such as the AVE (Spanish High Speed).
However, when standing, caution must be taken with possible sudden movements. These are more dangerous in other means of transport such as subway, in which it is safer and more comfortable to remain seated.
Destinations
Not all countries are recommended if you are pregnant, as it is vital to ensure the health of both the woman and the future baby. Therefore, when choosing a specific destination, these factors must be taken into account:
- Risk of contracting diseases
- Sanitary infrastructures
- Quality of hotels and transport
- Tourism offer suitable for pregnant women
The safest
Among the best destinations to travel in a state of gestation are the United States, especially the New York area. The US is a country with advanced health and for which there is no need to take any health precautions.
Most EuropeLike Norway, it is also a good idea, as there are no endemic diseases of risk and the quality of water and food is generally good.
There are even places like Disneyland Paris where they facilitate the visit of pregnant women, because if they present a medical certificate, they give them a special access card.
The most dangerous
There are some countries that should be avoided if you are pregnant. In the first place, those destinations where there is a risk of contracting a disease, such as Brazil or India, are dangerous.
There are also some states in which the health It is not usually optimal, such as Thailand, Indonesia or the Philippines. It is more convenient to travel to a place where you have medical guarantees.
On the other hand, in areas located at an altitude of more than 3,000 meters, the oxygen level is lower, as is the case in some parts of Peru. In the case of Machu Picchu, it is 2,430 meters above sea level.
In addition, in general, long trips are not advisable, so, from Spain, you should avoid destinations such as Dubai, Cuba or Mexico.
recommendations
The Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality of Spain provides some advice for pregnant women. One of them is that the best time to travel during pregnancy is in the second trimester of pregnancy.
In relation to the above, the yellow fever vaccine is contraindicated during the first trimester of pregnancy. Nor is the Japanese encephalitis vaccine recommended at any stage, unless the risk of infection is high.
Endemic areas of malaria or Hepatitis B should be avoided. In addition, during the third trimester, Hepatitis E it is more serious, since the lethality rate reaches 20%.
In the same way, it is not advisable to expose yourself to the sun for a long time, travel to areas with an altitude greater than 3,000 meters or to places far from health centers.
User Questions
Why is it dangerous to travel pregnant?
Traveling does not pose a risk during pregnancy as long as it does not have complications and the woman has a good state of health. However, it is important to follow the recommendations in this article and the doctor's advice.
Until what month is it safe to travel pregnant?
As we have mentioned above, the best time is the second trimester, since there is no risk of premature delivery or the inconvenience of the first months. Therefore, it is best to travel until 6 months, around week 26.
Is it dangerous to travel pregnant with twins?
Whether it is a twin, twin, or multiple pregnancy, it is considered to be of greater risk than a common one. However, it does not have to be dangerous as long as the doctor's recommendations are followed.
What happens if I go into labor on a plane?
As we have indicated previously, airlines try to avoid this situation. However, if it happens, as a general rule, the help of a medical specialist who is on the flight is requested and the flight attendants help as much as possible.
What would be the nationality of the baby if born on a plane? And in international waters?
It is a difficult matter, since each country has different laws. In some, by being born in their territory you acquire their nationality, but in others not. Therefore, if a baby is born on a plane, it must comply with the nationality regulations of the airline in which it flies. Therefore, it does not affect the birth in international waters.
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