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Spring Pink and Blue 2016
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when to
travel
; when to stay home it?s a good idea to wait until the second trimester before hitting the road. energy levels are higher than the first trimester, and morning sickness has usually lessened (or gone away if you?re lucky). it?s not a good idea to travel the last month of pregnancy
since?most importantly? delivery dates are not 100 percent predictable. you want to be home where your doctor and hospital are nearby when you go into labor. also, let?s face it: that cute little bump becomes challenging in the end. ?e ship has sailed on comfort, and you?re more likely to shout in public, ?when is this thing coming out of me?? some of the airlines won?t even let you get on board if you?re in the last month of pregnancy and may, in fact, require a doctor?s note to this effect. ?ey really don?t want to be delivering your baby. so the bottom line? book your travel if possible in the middle of the 40 weeks. what to know before you go regardless of what stage of the pregnancy you are in when traveling, make sure you find out the name of a doctor at your destination. your doctor may be able to recommend one. it?s also a good idea to carry a copy of your medical chart and any conditions you have or medications you are taking. check with your doctor about about shots for the flu, whooping cough, and any others depending on where you are traveling. although you can?t avoid being exposed to germs out there, stay away from sick people as much as you can. get plenty of rest, hydration, and vitamin c to boost your immune system, and wash hands frequently and thoroughly. travel advisory: keep moving on long road trips and flights, chances are you?ll be sitting for long periods of time. ?at?s not a good thing when you?re moving right along in pregnancy. not only can this be pretty uncomfortable, sitting for too long can actually be dangerous for moms-to-be. ?e march of dimes stresses the increased risk for blood
clots in pregnant women due to two major reasons. first, your blood clots easier since the body is getting ready to lessen blood loss during labor and birth. secondly, blood flow in your legs gets slower late in pregnancy due to the blood vessels around your pelvis and other places getting compressed (narrower), and your growing uterus (womb) putting pressure on your pelvis. women should get up and walk around once an hour or so. also, compression stockings help with circulation. if you?re taking a car trip, limit your time on the road to about six to seven hours. factor in lots of pit stops to go to the bathroom. and when you?re stopped, make sure you stretch, walk around, and get your circulation going. so you?re a jet-setting mama with a babymoon planned? ok, maybe your job requires you travel. or maybe you just want to visit family or have a beach weekend sporting that super-hot baby bump bikini (wink, wink). whether it?s one of those little recreational trips or somewhere you need to be, having a baby in the belly is about the best reason we can think of for a bump- at-the-beach weekend. reducing stress, getting in a little q time with your sweetie, best friends, family, or even just yourself are happily a-ok with doctors. ?unless there are special circumstances, there?s really no medical reason why you can?t travel during most of the time you are pregnant,? says dr. betsy buchert, ob/ gyn. ?if women want to go to a wedding or anything that?s special, i say by all means, go.? ?at said, taking a few precautions and adding these smart steps to your itinerary before you print out that boarding pass is a good thing. hello, baby- moon! by jacqueline hurley 30 pink & blue | spring 2016
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