Pregnancy and travel

Travel in pregnancy is advised against, in particular at the beginning of pregnancy up to 12 weeks, because of nausea, fatigue and increased risk of miscarriage, and towards the end of pregnancy, especially in the last month before the birth (after 36 weeks of pregnancy, childbirth abroad is not covered by the EHIC). It is important that the pregnant woman takes out adequate travel insurance in case she needs medical care. It is also useful for the pregnant woman to gather information about nearby medical facilities in her chosen destination before travelling, so that she knows where to seek help in case she needs it.

If a pregnant woman is travelling by air, care should be taken especially on longer flights, as pregnancy increases the risk of thrombosis. To prevent these, the first step is to stand up several times during the flight, walk around the aircraft, round the feet, and may also pomasira. Nujno je, da ima na letalu na voljo dovolj tekočine, saj je hydration very important, and a snack. It is a good idea to check with the airline you choose about the restrictions they have for pregnant women – i.e. up to which week they are allowed to fly (you need to calculate how many weeks pregnant the woman will be on the return flight).

It is also advisable to consult a gynaecologist before travelling, to discuss the suitability and planning of the trip in the light of the pregnant woman’s medical condition.

It is always important to pay attention to food when travelling, to ensure that it is of verifiable quality and origin, and to buy bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth in areas where the quality of drinking water is questionable, to avoid possible poisoning. Ice cubes made from drinking water are also discouraged. Avoid activities that may cause injury. It is advisable to prepare a suitable travel first aid kit and to take a maternity booklet with you!