By ; Pakinam Khaled

Traveling while pregnant can be tricky for some women. While most women travel without a hitch, there are certain precautions which should be taken nonetheless to ensure the health and safety of the mother and the baby.  

“Naturally, some women want to know when the best and safest time to go on a trip is. For example, many ask if it is okay for them to fly at an early stage or a later stage of their pregnancy. Many conditions should be considered while deciding; it always depends on the overall health status of both the mother and the child. Thus, we recommend that they inform their doctors first to be aware of the pregnancy condition and if there are any risks whatsoever,” said Dr Desislava Markova, Lead - IVI Fetal Medicine Clinic, Abu Dhabi.

For instance, Dr. Desislava explained that it is normally safe for those who are expecting to go on a trip during the first trimester, but extra care should be taken as the likelihood of miscarriage during this stage is quite high.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, an expectant mother can safely travel until week 36 as long as both, the mother and her offspring are healthy. It is recommended to travel in the middle of the pregnancy (from week 14 to week 28).  

Additionally, pregnant women are advised to follow some do’s and don’ts while traveling, including staying hydrated, if possible, stretching and moving around.  compression elastic stockings/socks should be worn to prevent Deep venous thrombosis.

“Women need to carefully plan everything before embarking on a trip, especially if the woman is at the last stage of her pregnancy. Around this time, it can be very difficult and uncomfortable for them to travel for long hours. Also, if they are traveling by plane, some airline companies have policies regarding travelling during pregnancy. It is always better to cover all the bases to avoid any incident or inconvenience,” Dr. Desislava concluded.   

Dr. Desislava Markova is the Lead Fetal Medicine IVI Fetal Medical Center with a Fetal Medicine Diploma, GMC. She qualified as a Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynecology and was an Assistant Professor at Higher Medical University, Bulgaria. She has trained under the aegis of Professor Kypros Nicolaides and practised Fetal Medicine at the King’s College Hospital, London and was awarded the Fetal Medicine Foundation Diploma in Fetal Medicine. She has extensive experience in the prenatal screening and diagnosis.