Traveling While Pregnant

Most pregnant women can safely travel during most of their pregnancy. However, as with everything else during your pregnancy, a little extra planning, precaution, and care will ensure your safety and that of your baby. Always check with your doctor before traveling, and make sure he or she knows when you are going, where, and for how long.

Foreign Travel

Foreign travel poses important issues for pregnant women. For example, your body may not be accustomed to bacteria and diseases that are prevalent in some foreign countries, making you susceptible to upset stomach, diarrhea, and dehydration. Language problems can also make accurate diagnosis and correct treatment difficult. The following are some additional issues to consider when traveling internationally while pregnant:

• If at all possible, travel with at least one companion.

• Contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov or 1-877-394-8747 to receive safety information and vaccination facts related to your travel itinerary.

• Drink only bottled water. Don’t use ice cubes made from tap water in your drinks and don’t use glasses or cups that have been washed in tap water. Canned juices and soft drinks are acceptable alternatives.

• Make sure any milk you drink is pasteurized.

• Avoid fresh fruits and vegetables unless they are cooked or can be peeled.

• Only eat meat and fish that are well cooked.

• Check medical facilities at your destination and whether your insurance will cover you while there.

Traveling to high altitudes is not recommended while you are pregnant. Altitudes over 13,000 feet should be avoided, and heights of 8,000 feet and higher should be avoided in late or high-risk pregnancies. Pregnancy at (unaccustomed) high altitude has been associated with intrauterine growth retardation and higher rates of pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Before traveling abroad, know your blood type and determine whether the blood supplies are screened for HIV and hepatitis B at your destination. Hepatitis E (HEV) can be especially dangerous for pregnant women. HEV is caused by ingesting water contaminated with feces.

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