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Preparation for Travel During Pregnancy

Once a woman has decided to travel during pregnancy, a number of issues need to be considered before her departure.

• An intrauterine pregnancy should be confirmed by a clinician and ectopic pregnancy excluded before beginning any travel.
• Health insurance should provide coverage while abroad and during pregnancy. In addition, a supplemental travel insurance policy and a prepaid medical evacuation insurance policy should be obtained, although most may not cover pregnancy-related problems.
• Check medical facilities at the destination. For a woman in the last trimester, medical facilities should be able to manage complications of pregnancy, toxemia, and cesarean sections.
• Determine beforehand whether prenatal care will be required abroad and, if so, who will provide it. If you travel during pregnancy you should also make sure prenatal visits requiring specific timing are not missed.
• Determine, before traveling, whether blood is screened for HIV and hepatitis B at the destination. If traveling during pregnancy you should also be advised to know your blood type, and Rh-negative pregnant women should receive the anti-D immune globulin (a plasma-derived product) prophylactically at about 28 weeks’ gestation. The immune globulin dose should be repeated after delivery if the infant is Rh positive.

A pregnant woman should be advised to travel with at least one companion; she should also be advised that, during her pregnancy, her level of comfort may be adversely affected by traveling. Typical problems of pregnant travelers are the same as those experienced by any pregnant woman: fatigue, heartburn, indigestion, constipation, vaginal discharge, leg cramps, increased frequency of urination, and hemorrhoids. Traveling during pregnancy, women can take preventive measures including avoidance of gas-producing food or drinks before scheduled flights (entrapped gases can expand at higher altitudes) and periodic movement of the legs (to decrease venous stasis). Pregnant women should always use seatbelts while seated, as air turbulence is not predictable and may cause significant trauma.

Signs and symptoms that indicate the need for immediate medical attention are vaginal bleeding, passing tissue or clots, abdominal pain or cramps, contractions, ruptured membranes, excessive leg swelling or pain, headaches, or visual problems.

SOURCE: US Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention