Travel tips when pregnant

[lastnightiwenttomanderley]

So, it turns out that bump will be rather well travelled and will have racked up no less than 8 individual countries whilst in utero lucky bugger.

We're off to China on Thursday (will be 14 weeks) and I'm starting to get things together and wondered if anyone had some top tips for travelling and things to take, either for the journey or whilst we're out there. So far I have:

• uber sexy flight socks
• rennie
• dioralyte (just in case)
• aspirin to take before the flight (on the advice of best friend who is an obstetrician)
• travel pillow
• hairbands to give a bit more room on waistbands!
• a stash of eat natural bars in case I go off food (I normally cringe at taking food with you on holiday but think it's justified given the circumstances)

We're flying Premium so at least have a little more room and will be drinking lots of water throughout the flight. I'm reasonably well travelled and normally quite gung ho about it all but clearly being a bit more sensible this time. We're even staying in proper hotels!

Any other suggestions?

I'm currently on hols and had a 9h flight in premium economy. Do make sure you take snacks, I had to beg the flight attendants for food all the time as the lunch and the sandwich they served was not anywhere satisfying! One of the male flight attendants actually stole some snacks for me from business class (tiny packs of nuts, popcorn and a green banana)! So do make sure you take whatever you normally fancy and take some fruit, I was craving clementines on the flight.

As for other stuff:

• is your aspirin the 75 mg dose (baby dose?) If not get some as taking bits of normal aspiring is apparently not good
• my consultant made me take my notes with me with all the blood test results, scans, etc. she even said to have it in hand luggage rather than check-in in case of emergency

Have a safe trip! ;)

I'll second your notes in the hand luggage! Check what your insurer covers as well especially if youve got anything booked for later on as most will cover you but not the baby.
Food standards in different countries vary, so you might want to be more careful with that.
I found China very bargey (if that's a word?) and hated being shoved in the bump, and pushed, so watch out for that!

I was going to say flight socks but you already have that! Checking insurance coverage is a good idea too.
When I was pregnant i completely
Went off dim sum amongst other things and boaked at the texture, so I hope you can find something that you want to eat!

Be prepared for feeling sick on the flight. I threw up as we taxied to the gate when we landed on a flight at 18 weeks pregnant. Not fun!

Thanks all!

Insurance is all sorted, Im apparently now something of an expert on the matter! I'll be sure to take lots of sticky bits for the flight but give them to DH to make sure I don't eat them somewhere over the English channel

Food and sickness wise, I've (touch wood) been fine so far so.hopefully that will stay. Have a reasonably varied diet too and have been keeping this up.as much as permitted, subject to guidelines. e.g. Still been having sushi every now and then for lunch (have checked they freeze it) and had a dim sum feast last week. Food issues would break my heart!

On the notes, I'm not going to take anything other than doctors details/nhs no. to China, but will of course for later trips.
I had my booking appt where they completed details and my 12 week scan with confirmed due date and NT. That's all that's in there! Bloods haven't gone in yet so there's really nothing in there that I or DH couldn't tell them - he knows my blood group. Unless I'm missing something, I can't see the need to carry around a file of mostly uncompleted paperwork? (please feel free to correct me).
If, god forbid, anything were to go really wrong in the next three weeks I'm very aware of the likely outcome.

I have just done a two hour flight (10+5) which wasn't that bad but I definately second the snacks and extra water. I looked at the snack they offer and heaved so had to raid my bag for snacks.
I was sick as well but managed to get off the plane and just make it to the nearest loos. I have flown three times since finding out I am pregnant and I was sick all three times. It might just be as I am still in the morning sickness phase.

OP, you may wanna have the few pages from your file electronically with you at least. (Simply take pictures with ipad or phone) I'm sure won't be needed but I always prefer to be on the super-safe side, just in case. I have my full notes with me but I'm 21 weeks so have quite a lot of stuff in there already.

Sue That's an amazing idea! Good thinking. When I travel later on I will definitely have my full notes but that's a fab plan for now.

Kym sorry to hear you were feeling rotten, hopefully it will ease over the next few weeks!

I'm just back from Cuba at 24 weeks and have to admit was totally gung ho - didn't take my notes with me at all as thought it was pointless taking a virtually empty file. I've been really lucky and have had a pretty easy ride by the sounds of it (only pregnancy 'side effects' have been growing belly) so was probably more laid back than most.
I did take Dioralyte and a ridiculous first aid kit at the behest of dh, other than that just normal packing.
Air France were amazing and have snacks and liquid available on a help yourself basis so check with your airline what they offer.
On the outbound flight I got up and moved around a lot and did all the exercises by the book and still ended up with really swollen legs and knees (despite wearing flight socks) and on the return flight I pretty much didn't move and was fine so I don't think there is a right and a wrong.
Just do whatever you feel comfortable doing and don't stress about it I think!
Happy travels - very jealous as my dh refused to allow us to go to China!

Thanks Sal - sounds like you and I sing from the same hymn sheet! DH tells me at least three times a day 'promise you'll be careful about what you eat'. I've been fine otherwise too.

I've done AF long haul too and that 'self service' galley is amazing! We're Lufthansa so not sure what we'll get. I'm actually going to be going to Providenciales at 26 weeks which is only next door to Cuba so glad to hear it's manageable. You'll have to save China for a family trip (DH and I also have opposing views on travelling with little people. He things they should not be let out of the country until about 10 years old!)