Travelling during pregnancy is considered safe during the 2nd trimester and of course, depending upon person to person and circumstances. I was more active during my first pregnancy but didn’t get the chance to travel except alone from Mumbai to Guwahati to my parent`s home for delivery.
During my 2nd pregnancy, my health was not in great condition. We had plans to travel to Bali during my son’s summer vacation,(during my 2nd trimester) but had to drop it as I was not in a position to travel long distances. But we managed to travel to our hometown and a few short trips by road in and around Guwahati. The places we visited are Shillong, Samdrup Jongkhar(in Bhutan) and Chandubi Lake.
Here I have mentioned some essential points to keep in mind when travelling during pregnancy:
1) Listen to your body when travelling during pregnancy.
You only know whether you can travel or not and by which mode of transport. Travel isn’t recommended for those with high-risk pregnancy conditions
2) Wear comfortable shoes and clothes.
Feeling comfortable in your clothes should be your priority. There are many sites and shops available nowadays for maternity wear. Wear comfortable shoes, especially which can be removed easily
3) Take your medicines and food on time.
Don’t try to postpone your mealtime.
4) Keep some snacks and a water bottle with you all the time.
Keeping something to eat like fruits, dry fruits, homemade sandwiches or roti will always come in handy. On one of my trips we had plans to have our lunch at the destination, and reaching the place would take some 1 hour. And I started feeling hungry. Luckily I was carrying a few bananas with me.
5) If you have one more child, it is always preferable to carry a car seat.
If they have the habit of travelling in your lap, explain to them before commencing the journey why you can’t take them in your lap anymore. Invest in a good car seat.
6) Plan ahead.
Always tell your practitioner about your travel plans before booking your tickets. Since I travelled by air both times I asked my doctor to give me in writing that I am fit to travel
7) Take your time.
Don’t rush. It is advisable to leave home early if you need to catch a train or plane as running up is not a good idea and you might need to take little rest in between.
8) If travelling by air, check with the airlines if they have any policies.
9) Move your legs around or take short breaks.
Take a stroll up to the cabin every once in a while of travelling by air. Or short breaks if you are travelling by car.
10) Wear your seat belt all the time.
It is always advisable to wear seatbelts all the time to avoid any kinds of sudden jerks.
Every person’s requirement is different. Please share if there is anything else you want to add.
You can also read: Road trips with a baby and toddler in India
