Pregnancy, although an incredible time can be hard work, so it’s important to take care and treat yourself every now and then. If it’s your first child as well, it may be the last chance you get to go on a relaxing holiday just you and your partner.
It’s natural to have concerns when you’re away from home. Here are some things you can do to cope with pregnancy while you’re on holiday and travelling while pregnant.
Get the right travel insurance
You might already have travel insurance in place, but does it cover your pregnancy? The ideal travel insurance policy will cover your pregnancy and any medical conditions or illnesses that have been caused by it.
Medical bills can be extortionate if you need treatment while you’re abroad, so it’s really not worth the risk of going without it. What’s more, a good policy will give you peace of mind, allowing you to relax and really enjoy your holiday.
Go at the right time
It’s generally agreed that the best time to go on holiday in pregnancy is during the second trimester (between 13 and 28 weeks, although many airlines won’t let you fly after 27). The sickness and nausea of the first trimester will (hopefully) have stopped, your hormones will have settled down, and you won’t be quite as exhausted as you will be in the third trimester.
It’s worth noting that your bump can appear and grow quite rapidly at this stage, so make sure your holiday wardrobe reflects that!
Enjoy the food…
… but make sure you know what you can eat (and what you can’t).
Fresh fruits and vegetables, energy-boosting carbohydrates like bread, potatoes and pasta, protein-packed beans and pulses, low-fat dairy products, and snacks like cereal bars and wholemeal crackers will give you all the nutrients you need.
Foods to avoid:
• Soft cheese with a white rind, or cheese with blue mould
• Pȃté
• Partially cooked eggs
• Undercooked meat
• Liver and game
• Fish oil
• Shark, swordfish and marlin
Listen to your body
If you need to take a break, take a break. If you’d like to get moving, go on a gentle stroll, swim in the pool, or stretch out with some pregnancy yoga. Now more than ever, it’s important to look after yourself and a holiday is the perfect time to do that.
One of the things you should look out for is swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet. Wearing compression stockings can help improve circulation and reduce swelling and pain in the legs, ankles, and feet. If you’re experiencing swelling only in the ankle and foot area, you can wear foot compression socks with wrap to alleviate the swelling and discomfort.
Avoid anything too adventurous
While you’ll still be able to explore the local area and admire the scenery, activities that could result in falls or sudden movements should be avoided at all costs. This could be your last time for a while to travel with less responsibilities for a while so make the most of it, if you’ve always fancied going to a particular place for a pamper, why not now, whether that’s exploring somewhere in Europe or looking for the best US babymoon destinations.
Give these activities a miss:
• Hiking
• Climbing
• Skiing
• Snowboarding
• Horse riding
• Waterskiing
• Windsurfing
• Scuba diving
• Visits to theme parks and water parks
Relax
The most important thing! Now is the time to take it easy, so make the most of it. Enjoy spending quality time with your partner or travel companion before your little one arrives
