Pregnancy is a time when women are concerned about not only their own health and safety but also that of their baby, and many women have questions about what exactly is and is not safe during pregnancy. Above all, our top recommendation is that patients contact their PGOMG provider to ask any questions and discuss any concerns during pregnancy. Your provider will be able to address your individual situation, as not every patient or pregnancy is alike.
For women considering travel during their pregnancy, we strongly suggest speaking with your provider prior to making travel arrangements, but in the meantime, you can review our guide below.
Pregnancy and air travel
It is important to remember that what may be safe for one woman who is pregnant might not be as safe for another. If your provider has determined that your pregnancy is high-risk, then your daily life, including any plans to travel, will be impacted by this diagnosis. If your pregnancy is not high risk, your provider is more likely to give the OK to travel up until a later trimester.
Some women may prefer not to travel during their first trimester, even if it is technically safe for them to do so, because of common first-trimester pregnancy symptoms – nausea/morning sickness, fatigue and general discomfort. The first trimester is also when the risk is highest for miscarriage, which can occur for a variety of reasons, regardless of travel plans.
Ultimately, women and their providers must decide whether traveling during any stage of pregnancy is right for them. Many women travel regularly up until the later stage of pregnancy without issue, while for others travel is not recommended during pregnancy. If you do choose to travel while pregnant, your provider may recommend, as part of your preparations, researching medical facilities in the area you are traveling to that can tend to pregnancy issues. That way, you can easily access appropriate care if needed.
Pregnancy, travel and the Zika virus
You may not hear much about the Zika virus on the news these days, but women are still advised to take proper precautions when considering traveling to areas where the virus is still prevalent. The CDC keeps an up-to-date guide on its website noting areas with risk of Zika, along with the organization’s recommendations for each country. If future travel plans include a visit to one of the affected areas, PGOMG recommends discussing these plans with your provider prior to the trip in order to evaluate risk.
