Traveling during pregnancy

Many women have concerns about traveling while pregnant. In reality, however, travel during pregnancy is usually fine. Keep in mind that airplane, train, and bus travel can be less tiring for long distances because you're able to get up and move around. When you travel in a car, it's very important to wear both a shoulder harness and a lap belt to protect you and the baby in case of an accident; for comfort, just fasten the belt as low as possible below the baby. Sitting for long periods of time may cause leg cramps, discomfort, and fatigue, particularly late in the pregnancy. To keep from getting too tired during a car trip, stop about every two hours to stretch, walk about, and go to the bathroom. Late in your pregnancy, it's a good idea to avoid long trips. By staying close to home, your baby can be born where you planned and where your medical history is known. Some airlines, in fact, will not allow a pregnant woman to fly if she's close to her due date. In certain cases, your doctor may recommend that you NOT fly, especially when you have high blood pressure, or have experienced a threatened miscarriage in early pregnancy. In such cases, changes in altitude could induce labor. If you must travel at this time, ask your doctor to refer you to a doctor in the area you'll be visiting. It's also a good idea to ask for a copy of your medical chart to take with you. For more information on travel during pregnancy, consult a health care professional.