When one is pregnant, it is absolutely one of the most thrilling and exciting journeys that a mom and their unborn child share together. Whether you are a seasoned traveler, or just beginning with your first vacation, traveling while you are pregnant can be an incredible experience. Both mom – and baby gets to take in the sights, sounds, and foods from an amazing destination. Here are some tips to travel safely during pregnancy.

Is It Safe To Travel During Pregnancy?

If you are at risk of having a preterm delivery, your practitioner may advise you not to travel. The best time to travel is between 14-28 weeks, around the second trimester, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Most airlines will allow pregnant women to fly up to 36 weeks pregnant.

Talk To Your Doctor

One of the first things that you should do when you have made your plans is to speak to your obstetrician and let them know that you are going on a trip. They will be sure to examine you to make sure that both you and your baby are in tip-top shape and ready to travel. For the most part, it is safe for pregnant women to travel, unless there are pregnancy complications.

Travel Insurance

You will want to make sure that everything is in place before you leave. This includes checking to see what your insurance policy covers and if your medical insurance covers anything. If they do not, it is a wise choice to acquire travel insurance, which will usually cover things like visits to a hospital if need be, and medications that a doctor may write for you. Do make sure that you know your delivery date as your obstetrician has stated it, so if you’re abroad, you’ll know what to tell a doctor if need be.

Walk Around On The Plane

When sitting in one spot for too long can increase the risk of a serious blood clot. Make sure that you try to get up and walk around when you can. You can ask your doctor how often you should get up. If you book an aisle seat, you will be able to easily get in and out of your chair to move, without having to climb over anyone else’s seat. In addition to that, you can also ask your doctor if wearing compression stockings will work as well.

Assure You Have The Proper Vaccinations

At your visit with your obstetrician before you leave, you will want to speak to them about any vaccines that you may need before you leave. This includes vaccines that are needed in order to enter the country you are visiting.

Passport Health also offers travel medicine services and can help you get where you’re headed. Call or book online to schedule your appointment today.

Jennifer Passmore is a stay-at-home mom, writer and beader. She loves creating art with her words and through her jewelry. She is also a passionate mental health advocate. You can find more writing at her website Positivity In Pain.

What Vaccines Do I Need for Traveling to Southeast Asia?

Home to Jakarta, Indonesia; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; and Bangkok, Thailand, Southeast Asia is a very popular destination for travelers. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, almost 40 million tourists visited Thailand, more than 26 million vacationed in Malaysia, and over 19 million spent time in Singapore.

If you plan to visit Southeast Asia in the coming months, there are some precautions you should take to make sure you stay safe and healthy on your journey. Let’s discuss recommended vaccinations and other tips to help make sure you bring only happy memories back from your trip.

Recommended Vaccinations

In general, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following vaccinations before traveling to Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam:

• COVID-19
• HepatitisAand B
• Japanese Encephalitis
• Cholera
• Malaria
• Measles
• Typhoid
• Yellow Fever
• Rabies

The CDC also recommends travelers update their routine vaccinations for the following diseases:

• MMR (Measles/Mumps/Rubella)
• Polio
• Flu
• Chickenpox
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Shingles

Southeast Asia Traveling Tips

Updating your vaccines is just one way to protect yourself from disease while traveling. Here are some other tips to follow when wandering through the beautiful countries, cities, and towns of Southeast Asia.

Avoid Contaminated Water

Different areas of the world have different standards for their water. Some countries in Southeast Asia are at a higher risk of having contaminated water. This can cause travelers’ diarrhea — a bacterial infection that can be very serious for older adults or people with chronic diseases.

When traveling, a good rule of thumb is to always drink bottled water. And if you must drink tap water, make sure you have a filter to use to help remove any bacteria before drinking.

Watch Out for Bugs

Bugs such as mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks can carry a variety of diseases such as zika, dengue, and chikungunya. As many areas of Southeast Asia have high humidity or are on the coast, these types of bugs can be more prevalent.

Protect yourself from these bugs by wearing long-sleeved clothing whenever possible, as well as a hat to protect your head. Try to sleep only in closed rooms with air conditioning or with a bed net. And use insect repellent if possible to help ward off unwanted insects.

Practice Healthy Habits

Whether it’s on a plane, train, taxi cab, boat, or subway, travelers are always exposed to more germs than anyone really wants to think about. Keep yourself healthy by keeping up with some simple healthy habits:

• Wash your hands all the time, especially before eating.
• Keep hand sanitizer with you in case you do not have access to soap and water.
• Try not to touch your mouth, nose, or eyes.

If you’ll be traveling to Southeast Asia and need to update your vaccinations, call or book online to schedule your appointment today.

Written for Passport Health by Corrie Pelc. Corrie Pelc is a freelance writer in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. She has a passion for health and wellness, having written for publications including Exceptional Parent, DAYSPA, INVISION, Eyecare Professional, and Hepatitis Magazine.

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