Ah pregnancy, what a wonderful adventure. We move, travel, enjoy, and it's not these few extra pounds that will stop us! On the other hand, certain precautions must be taken in order to travel in the best possible conditions, without hassle. Here are a few.
It is quite possible, even if the train is the most recommended means of transport. For the record, small planes are less pressurized than big ones and therefore the journey will be less pleasant for us, because the lack of oxygen makes the body work harder. Everything also depends on the progress of the pregnancy:if you travel during the first trimester, the typical hazards of the first months are likely to be exacerbated (nausea and fatigue, among others), on the other hand, it is much less stressful to travel by plane between the 14th and 27th week of pregnancy, unless otherwise advised by the doctor (and his opinion takes precedence over anything said, of course!). Finally, the last trimester is in any case more risky. Especially because of the seated position and the pressurization which slows blood circulation. Also note that most airlines require a certificate from the gynecologist indicating the known date of birth and refuse to board pregnant women over eight months. It is therefore better to find out about the regulations that the companies apply to pregnant women directly from the agencies or on their website. And if you take the plane, don't forget to put on compression stockings, drink water regularly and stretch your legs by going back and forth on the plane to facilitate venous return. .
The train is THE most comfortable means of transport during pregnancy. We try to reserve a place not too far from the toilets, in case of urgent desire, and spacious, in order to be able to stretch out our legs. We prefer a seat on the inside of the train rather than sitting against the windows, because the seats installed above the wheels cause more vibrations. We do not hesitate to go back and forth to circulate the blood. Good to know:if we are loaded, the SNCF offers to collect our suitcases and bring them directly to our destination, the day we arrive. This service is available from 25 euros per suitcase.
If you plan to travel to a foreign country, you should know that certain vaccines, such as that against yellow fever or malaria, are contraindicated during pregnancy. Tropical and developing countries are not really recommended either, especially given the various infections that can be contracted there, such as hepatitis A (by drinking contaminated water or eating undercooked or undercooked food). ), turista (travelers' diarrhea), or the Zika virus. In any case, you always travel with your medical file. And if you are traveling to a country in the European Economic Area or to Switzerland, you should consider applying (at least two weeks before your departure) for a European health insurance card. If, on the other hand, our destination is not one of them, we find out if this country has signed a Social Security agreement with France and if we fall within the scope of this famous agreement. Finally, we do not hesitate to talk about the trip and to ask all the questions we have to our doctor or even to our Health Insurance Fund.
So, shall we pack our bags?
