Home » Pregnancy & Parenting  » Pregnancy » Health problems when travelling Be extremely careful with your travel plans if you are pregnant, and more so if you are in the first trimester. And if you are a working woman in a job that entails a lot of traveling, there are certain precautions you will have to take.

See to it that you are not exposed to traffic fumes frequently. It has been found that the pollution in the air could stunt your baby's growth in the womb. Sulphur dioxide and particulate matter from the exhaust of vehicles are the biggest culprits. In fact, research has proved that babies born within about 15kms of the city are much smaller in size than those born in the countryside. It is a well known fact that bigger babies grow into healthy adults and have higher IQs.

If you are traveling abroad, especially to underdeveloped countries, there are a number of issues that you will have to solve. Find out from your doctor how safe it is to travel and what extra care you should take, especially if this is your first pregnancy.

• A common condition during the first trimester is nausea. And travel will only increase this feeling. There is also greater risk of miscarriage.
• During the second trimester it is far easier as most women have got over their initial problems and are generally in a healthier state. This is probably the best stage to undertake travel.
• The third trimester becomes a bit of a problem as the baby's weight has increased and you are carrying that load around. There may also be more pressure on the bladder and you may need to go the toilet more often. A real problem if you are on a long flight.
• Most airlines do not allow when the pregnancy is into the 26th to 36th weeks.
• Check your itinerary to see if you have access to doctors and to good hospitals.
• Of course, you cannot even dream of any adventure holiday.
• Most drugs are taboo for pregnant women. Remember that most malaria drugs cannot be taken as they can place your baby at high risk to the disease.
• As a lot of blood flow gets diverted to the womb, you may become tired very quickly. You have to have a good intake of fluids and follow a balanced diet. E careful about getting exposed to sudden changes in the climate.
• Beware of getting dehydrated due to diarrhea which is a common outcome of travel.
• Consult your doctor before taking vaccines - he might probably advice you against them - except for Hepatitis A.

It is always better to avoid any strenuous travel when you are pregnant unless you absolutely have to go, or it is a business requisite.