HEDI - Planning Travel and Holidays

If you want or need to travel during pregnancy, the best time to do so is after first trimester. Then you're past the stage where the pregnancy is most sensitive. Usually the nausea or fatigue that often occur at the beginning of a pregnancy have already subsided. However, whether a trip poses a risk to you and the pregnancy always requires an individual assessment that will vary from person to person. That's why it's best to talk to your gynaecologist or midwife about this beforehand.

Keep moving

Whether you're traveling by air, train or car, you should avoid sitting for long periods of time. If your legs stay bent for a long time, blood may not circulate as well through the veins in that area. This increases the risk of a blood clot forming and blocking a blood vessel. This can lead to a dangerous blockage of the veins in your leg, a thrombosis. To avoid this, make sure to keep moving during any trips. On a long car ride, for example, you can always take a break at a rest stop and stretch your legs there. And you can usually walk up and down the centre aisle on a plane. Even longer walks are possible on a train by making your way from one end of the train all the way to the other. Even when sitting, you can make sure that your feet stay well supplied with blood, for example by moving them around in a circular motion once an hour. Long-distance travel is less recommended during pregnancy. This is especially true if it involves long flights or strenuous travel by bus.

Compression stockings

A good way to support blood circulation in your legs on long flights or journeys is by wearing compression stockings or travel socks. It is best to buy them at a pharmacy, in a specialist shop for orthopaedics or in a medical supply store. There you can have the stockings adjusted to fit to your leg length and circumference. Only then can they have a truly medically positive effect. Ask your doctor if you can get a prescription for these stockings. Many health insurance companies will cover a large portion of the cost if you can provide a prescription.

Problematic destinations

There are no general recommendations for or against travel to specific destinations. However, many doctors advise pregnant people not to go on trips that could induce great stress. These include, for example, temperatures higher than what you’re used to, high humidity or large changes in altitude. If you are travelling to the mountains, take a few days to slowly get used to your new surroundings and take care of yourself as much as possible. Countries where dangerous infectious diseases like malaria, yellow fever or hepatitis are widespread are also problematic. It is true that there are vaccinations and medications that largely protect against infection. However, some of these vaccines and medicines should not be administered during pregnancy. Therefore you should avoid travelling to affected countries if possible. If such a trip is necessary, you can ask your gynaecologist or midwife how to make sure that the risk of infection is as low as possible.

Important preparations

No matter where you go, be sure to take your maternity record (Mutterpass) with you and ask your health insurance company whether you are adequately insured abroad. It often makes sense to take out travel health insurance when going abroad. It costs around €10 a year and usually covers all costs if you have to undergo a medical examination or treatment abroad without any problems. It is also helpful to find out about gynaecologists’ practices or hospitals at your destination ahead of time. Then you'll have the emergency contact information at your fingertips and won't lose valuable time searching for medical help. If you plan to travel by plane, you may need a medical certificate. Check with your airline well ahead of time to find out up to which month of pregnancy you are still allowed on board their planes. Most airlines will let you fly up to four weeks before your due date without any problems. If you are expecting twins or triplets, you will only be taken until the 32nd week of pregnancy. If the pregnancy is more advanced, many airlines require a certificate from your doctor confirming that you are fit to fly.

Planning Travel and Holidays

Keep moving

Compression stockings

Problematic destinations

Important preparations

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