Normally, traveling during the later stages of pregnancy is not encouraged by medical professionals, but there are some specific cases where it can be the best course of action for an expectant mother. Travel during pregnancy could also be necessary if a loved one is having a medical emergency in another country and you are the next of kin. If you are thinking of traveling overseas, speak with someone with a nurse practitioner doctorate degree or seek out the opinions of several top medical professionals who know you personally and have been working with you during your pregnancy. This will help you find out if travel is safe and what precautions you need to take.
Securing Medical Care When Traveling Internationally During Pregnancy
Midwives focus on facilitating both pregnancy and the delivery of healthy babies. If you have decided that you will be traveling internationally while pregnant, there’s not much that any medical professional can do to stop you. By working with a midwife, you can hopefully make it through your travels without any fanfare and know how to react in case there is an unforeseen difficulty. Practice keeping yourself centered and avoiding panicking so that your vital signs remain level and there is less of a risk to your unborn baby.
Making Sure Your Flight Goes as Planned
Any nurse who is studying BSN to DNP online can let you know that taking an airplane while you are in your third trimester is risky. In fact, there are many airlines that outright ban women who are due deliver their babies in the next few weeks from boarding their planes. You don’t want to go into labor while onboard an airplane because you could progress very quickly and actually end up delivering thousands of miles in the air. Secondly, if your plans are to travel internationally, you probably don’t have the best idea of how long it would take to get to the nearest hospital.
Knowing What to Look Out For When You Reach Your Destination
Traveling while pregnant can cause an expectant mother to go into labor early. From the changes in air pressure that take place during flights to the rigorous screening process that travelers go through when entering and exiting airports, a sudden spike in stress levels might lead to pregnancy complications or full blown labor. You should practice meditative and relaxing exercises to stay calm while traveling, as well as immediately report unexpected symptoms to your primary care physician if you must travel while pregnant.
Simply put, you don’t want to be left on your own if you go into early labor while traveling to a place where you haven’t had your prenatal care. You may find several doctors who come highly recommended in a foreign country, but if you don’t know them personally you will become very anxious. Give your baby the best chances at making a calm entrance into the world by traveling safely under the guidance of an experienced midwife.
