Road Trip Tips For Pregnant Women

Being pregnant can be awfully restrictive, especially towards the end of term when there is a realistic possibility of going into labor at any point. It is for this reason that doctors advise you not to travel while heavily pregnant, and that airlines will often refuse point blank to allow a pregnant woman to travel on their flights if there is a realistic possibility of the baby being born at short notice. If you are in the final few weeks of pregnancy, the only time you should really be getting into any vehicle is to go to the hospital for the delivery. Aside from the final few weeks, however, it is naïve to expect any pregnant woman to remain housebound and dependent on others for her every beck and call. This is not to say that a pregnant road trip is no different from any other. There are clear comfort issues where pregnant women are concerned, and these need attention – the longer the trip, the more attention must be paid. Among other issues, there is the question of the expectant mother’s physical health. On a long journey there is every chance of being out of reach of shops or cafes for an extended period. This being the case it is possible for the pregnant woman’s blood sugar level to drop – something that can best be amended by having something to eat. A candy bar is ideal, but a small bag of snacks with a little variety will work out the best. Getting up to move around is also a necessity, more so the longer into term the mother is – so stop the car every 90 minutes or so for a walk – this will prevent discomfort and blood clots. Among other issues of comfort there is the matter of body temperature. Overheating or feeling cold can be dreadfully uncomfortable, so the pregnant woman should always wear layers if they are going to be traveling for a long time. Being able to take something off or put it on at different points will give you the chance to regulate body temperature. This can also be addressed by drinking lots of water – dehydration is bad enough for non-pregnant people in more open spaces, but for a pregnant woman in a car it is much worse. Additionally, if the trip is a long one it will be necessary to carry a copy of your pre-natal record and your health insurance card. This will contain information of your pre-natal checkups and can be obtained from your doctor or from the midwife. Ask them also about any specific instructions you should keep in mind when traveling – if your trip is necessary they will gladly explain what you should do and what you should avoid. The pre-natal record will be essential if there should be any problems – although you may have no reason to anticipate them it is much better to have something and not need it than need it and not have it. Following these basic and simple rules will make any car journeys while pregnant easier, if not easy.