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Journeywoman's Top Twelve Pregnancy Pointers
Don't put off for tomorrow what you absolutely must do today. Try to
have at least your first prenatal checkup before you travel. Your doctor
or midwife is the best person to consult with regarding your upcoming
journey.
You should check your airlines' rules about pregnant passengers
before you book your ticket. Most airlines will allow you to fly up to
the 35th or 36th week of your pregnancy, providing you're healthy and
there is no previous history of premature labour. However rules do vary
so it makes sense to re-check at the time of booking. You could also be
asked to supply a letter from your doctor verifying the stage of your
pregnancy. It's a good idea to carry this document along with your other
important travel papers.
Check your travel insurance policy carefully to make sure that you'll
be covered for all eventualities. Most policies don't automatically
cover pregnancy-related conditions or nursery care for premature
infants.
Most, but not all, vaccines are considered safe during pregnancy.
Once your pregnancy is confirmed, you'll require special advice. In
Canada, an organization called Motherisk will answer any questions you
might have about appropriate drugs and immunization. Call (416) 813-6780
or visit their website at: http://www.motherisk.org. In the United
States, pregnant women traveling to less developed countries should
consult the
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at (404) 639-3311
or http://www.cdc.gov/travel on the web for country-specific
information.
If possible, avoid travelling in malarial zones. Even while taking
anti-malarial drugs, pregnant women are more liable to catch the
disease, and the illness tends to be more severe.
Dreaming of finally climbing that mountain? Especially if you're in
the first trimester of your pregnancy, avoid high-altitude destinations,
where oxygen to the fetus could be decreased.
According to Dr. Jane Wilson Howarth in her book, Bugs, Bites and
Bowels, the safest time to travel seems to be during the second three
months of pregnancy. Providing your pregnancy has been problem-free, the
risk of miscarriage will be small and there is little chance of early
labour or other complications.
Pamper yourself. When planning your holiday, avoid too hectic a pace.
It's very wise to build in extra rest stops while you're on the road.
Remember, your body is busy nurturing a baby, and the extra effort of
travel makes it work even harder.
It isn't always easy to eat properly when travelling. Constipation
can become a problem, especially if you're taking iron supplements. Try
to eat plenty of high-fiber foods, like fruits and vegetables.
Where the quality of water supplies is less than perfect, the
pregnant traveller should avoid using iodine to purify her water. Iodine
could have an adverse effect on the fetal thyroid.
In developing countries, pasteurized milk is often difficult to
find. You should take powdered milk with you if you want to ensure that
you get enough calcium. It can be mixed into or sprinkled over most
foods.
For coping with morning sickness, ginger is an excellent remedy.
Crystallized forms can be found in the baking section of most
supermarkets. Otherwise, raw root ginger can be found just about
anywhere in the world, and can be grated into your food in small
amounts.
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