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Third trimester holiday trip: A bad idea?
I am concerned about an upcoming holiday to an all-inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic. I will be 29-weeks-pregnant and people have started to question me about how wise it will be to travel to a "third world country" during my third trimester. Is it advisable to travel at this time?
The biggest risk of travel during the third trimester is premature labour. Advice against travel during this time is largely based on the fact that if a woman should go into premature labour, she would not be in a familiar setting and access to her medical records would be minimal or impossible. Travel to "third world" countries might involve the added risk of delivering in a place without specialised perinatal units and neonatal intensive care nurseries.
If you have had an ultrasound which has ruled out placental problems such as placenta previa, and if your pregnancy can be classified as "low risk" (no medical or obstetrical problems, no history or risk of premature labour and mother and baby are in apparent good health), your risk of having a problem is probably minimal.
Lengthy plane trips necessitate frequent trips to the bathroom, which provide opportunities to stretch your legs. You should also make sure you get adequate fluids before, during and after the flight. Watch for any sign of pending problems such as leaking, spotting, contractions/cramping, pain with urination, change in pattern of foetal movement, fever and diarrhoea, before you go as well as during your travels.
Take a copy of your records (obstetrical visits and lab results) with you in case you need to seek medical care while travelling. Your midwife could do a cervical examination just prior to your departure to note any early signs of cervical change (These might mean an impending start to labour).
There are many different opinions about the advisability of travelling in pregnancy but I am pretty liberal in my advice. I think if all is well, you should go and have a great time. It would certainly be good for all of the family members. You will probably not have an opportunity to do this for many years to come. Be sure to check your airline for any restrictions that they may have as far as ‘pregnancy’ is concerned.
Bon voyage.
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