Category: Travelling in pregnancy

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Driving when pregnant

Driving when pregnant can be a topic of concern and consideration for many expectant parents. It is important to prioritize safety and comfort while driving during this special time.

Top 5 tips for driving when pregnant

  1. Adjusting the seat: To ensure a comfortable driving experience when pregnant, it is crucial to adjust your seat properly. Position the seat in a way that allows you to reach the pedals comfortably while maintaining a safe distance from the steering wheel. Avoid sitting too close to the steering wheel, as it can increase the risk of injury in case of an accident. To ease back pain and discomfort you may wish to use a lumbar support pillow when travelling.
  2. Seat belt safety: Always wear your seat belt properly and ensure it is positioned correctly. The lap belt should be placed under your belly, across your hips, and the shoulder belt should go between your breasts and to the side of your belly. This way, the seat belt will provide optimal protection without putting pressure on your abdomen.
  3. Take breaks and stay hydrated: Long drives can become uncomfortable during pregnancy, so it’s important to take regular breaks, stretch your legs, and stay hydrated. Dehydration can lead to fatigue and discomfort, so make sure to have water with you during your journey. Additionally, stopping to rest and walk around will help reduce the risk of blood clots in your legs.
  4. Plan for frequent bathroom breaks: As pregnancy progresses, the growing uterus can exert pressure on the bladder, leading to increased frequency of bathroom visits. Plan your travel routes accordingly, making sure there are restrooms available along the way to accommodate your needs.
  5. Listen to your body: Each pregnancy journey is unique, so it is important to listen to your body and make adjustments as necessary. If you start feeling discomfort or fatigue while driving, don’t hesitate to pull over, rest, or ask someone else to take the wheel if possible.

Remember, if you have any concerns about driving during your pregnancy, consulting with your healthcare provider is always a good idea. They can provide personalized advice based on your specific situation and medical history. Stay safe and enjoy the journey while taking care of yourself and your little one!

If you are planning to go abroad check out my blogs post on flying when pregnant and travelling when pregnant! Here is a packing list for your travels: Packing list for travelling when pregnant.

Online Birth Preparation Course only £35!

Please also check out my online course! No videos, just text and images to learn in your own time. Includes hypnobirthing mp3s, scripts, workbook, handouts, infographics and much more! Lots and lots of information at your fingertips! Includes:

  • hypnobirthing mp3s
  • hypnobirthing scripts
  • written information
  • infographics and other imagery
  • printable handouts
  • printable workbook/journal
Enrol now

Sources and Further Reading:

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Travelling when pregnant

Travelling when pregnant 6 top tips

6 top tips for travelling when pregnant to make your break or “babymoon” as relaxing, successful and enjoyable as possible!

  1. The right destination
    • When pregnant, it is important to choose a holiday destination that can be reached within a three-hour flight. Any flights of four hours or longer are considered long-haul and are not recommended during pregnancy.
    • If your nearest airport or your desired UK destination is a long drive away, you may wish to consider an overnight stay on the way to break up the journey.
    • Research your holiday destination before you go. You may feel more relaxed if there are shops and medical facilities nearby. Avoid destinations which require vaccinations and where there is a risk of catching diseases transferred by mosquitoes such as zika virus, malaria or dengue fever.
  2. Make a plan and use checklists
    • Make a list of all the things you would like to take with you. Remember to take your maternity notes (or a copy of them).
    • Take regular toilet breaks – choose a route where there are plenty of opportunities to use the loo…
    • Take a small cushion or pillow with you on the journey to support your back
    • If you are flying from 28 weeks onwards, your airline might need a signed letter from your doctor or midwife and most airlines won’t let you fly beyond 37 weeks of pregnancy (or 32 weeks for multiple pregnancies). Check out my blog on flying when pregnant!
    • Check out my packlist (free download)
  3. Take it easy
    • Choose a holiday where you can rest and relax
    • If you are going sightseeing or shopping, ensure you allow for plenty of breaks
  4. Essentials for the journey
    • pack plenty of snacks and water
    • Have regular breaks
    • When pregnant, you are at higher risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) when you are sitting still on long car journeys or flights. Ensure you move around as much as you can and do some simple stretches every hour. When driving take a break at least every 90 minutes and when flying wander up and down the aisle when you can. On longer journeys, you may also consider wearing flight socks (compression stockings).
    • When your back hurts, try placing a rolled-up towel or small pillow under the back of your bottom and in the small of your back.
  5. Think about what you’re packing
    • To make sure you are as comfortable as possible during your well-earned break, ensure you are packing:
  6. Stick to your safe food list
    • You may go out for meals or have a buffet deal… Freshly cooked food abroad, the local cuisine can be exiting. However, remember, that some foods may harm your baby. Stick to your safe food list!
    • Foods to avoid in pregnancy
    • Stay hydrated. Remember to drink plenty of (bottled) water when pregnant. The local tap water may upset your stomach, so you may wish to stick to bottled water.

Sources and further reading:

Online Birth Preparation Course only £35!

Please also check out my online course! No videos, just text and images to learn in your own time. Includes hypnobirthing mp3s, scripts, workbook, handouts, infographics and much more! Lots and lots of information at your fingertips! Includes:

  • hypnobirthing mp3s
  • hypnobirthing scripts
  • written information
  • infographics and other imagery
  • printable handouts
  • printable workbook/journal
Enrol now

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Tips for keeping cool when pregnant

Tips for keeping cool when pregnant

Being pregnant when it’s hot can be uncomfortable. Here are some tips for keeping cool when pregnant in the hot summer months!

Tips for keeping cool when pregnant in hot weather.

Stay cool and safe with these cooling tips and tricks:

☀️ Stay hydrated – drink plenty of water. Drinking plenty of water helps to prevent dehydration. Drink more than on colder days as you’ll sweat more/loose more water in hot weather. Keep a bottle of water with you all day. Also, have a glass of water nearby in the night.

☀️ Wear loose and light clothing. Wear light-coloured, loose and breathable clothing. This allows the air to circulate around your skin and helps you to keep cool. When you are outside, seek shade, wear a sunhat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Maybe take a spray bottle with cold/iced water with you.

☀️ If you have a birth pool or paddling pool, fill it with cold water and sit in it. Submerging your body in the cool water will help you cool down.

☀️ Cool summer snacks such as cold or frozen watermelon, cucumber,… Freeze/chill some fruit and vegetables to eat.

☀️ Seek shade or stay indoors. If you can, stay indoors during the hottest part of the day. Seek some share when and where you can if you’re outside.

☀️ Exercise in the early morning hours or evening or in water. Adjust your exercise type and/or timing to suit the hot weather. It is cooler early in the morning and later in the evenings. Or seek exercises which you can do in water.

☀️ Put your feed up and rest. Chill out, hibernate, take a break. Look after yourself and your baby.

☀️ Put your feed in a washing up bowl filled with cold water – If you don’t have a bath, paddling pool or birthing pool, fill up a washing up bowl or bucket with cold water to put your feet in it. This also saves water…

☀️ Have a (paper) fan, to cool yourself down. Top tip: if using a paper fan, add two drops of peppermint essential oil onto your fan.

☀️ Eat ice lollies – You could make some ice-lollies from (sugar free) fruit juice, flavoured water, …

What are your top tips to stay cool in the heat?

These tips and tricks also help keeping you cool when you are not pregnant!

Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke!

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Flying when pregnant

Ahead of the travelling season, let’s explore things to know about flying when pregnant. Maybe you have booked a holiday before you knew that you were pregnant? Now, do you need to cancel? Or is it okay to fly while pregnant?

The good news:

Flying isn’t harmful to you or your baby, […]

NHS.

but it is always a good idea to discuss any concerns with your midwife and/or team of healthcare professionals.

It is worth taking into consideration:

  • how far along you are in your pregnancy at the time of travel
  • whether you have any health concerns
  • where you are travelling to
    • is it long-distance?
    • are vaccinations recommended for your destination?
  • which airline you are flying with

Flying when pregnant infographic and top tips!

Flying when pregnant
  • For long-distance flights (longer than 4 hours), drink plenty of water and move about regularly, or do in-seat exercises. This helps to minimise the small risk of blood clots (1-2 women in 1000). You can buy a pair of graduated compression or flight stockings from the pharmacy, which will help reduce leg swelling.
  • Some airlines won’t let you fly towards the end of your pregnancy. Remember to check with the airline for their policy on this.
  • Make sure you have your maternity notes, travel insurance and health insurance documents with you and know about maternity care/hospitals at your destination.
  • You can listen to your hypnobirthing tracks while you are flying to help with comfort, confidence and nausea.
  • Ask the cabin crew for a seatbelt extension if needed, and wear your seatbelt under your bump.
  • Avoid gassy foods before the journey to increase your comfort during the flight!
  • Carry medication in your hand-luggage!

Online Birth Preparation Course only £35!

Please also check out my online course! No videos, just text and images to learn in your own time. Includes hypnobirthing mp3s, scripts, workbook, handouts, infographics and much more! Lots and lots of information at your fingertips! Includes:

  • hypnobirthing mp3s
  • hypnobirthing scripts
  • written information
  • infographics and other imagery
  • printable handouts
  • printable workbook/journal
Enrol now

Download your free packing list:

References and further reading: