Staying Healthy Travel in pregnancy In most cases, pregnant women can travel safely but there are a few factors to consider: Air travel Most airlines allow women to travel up to and including the 36th week of pregnancy, provided there have been no complications. It is advisable to: • Drink plenty of fluids, particularly on long haul flights • Avoid sitting for too long and move around the cabin as much as possible, in order to reduce the risk of developing inflammation or blood clots in veins of the legs. Special compression socks, available from pharmacies can also be worn to help reduce the risk of blood clots in the legs. The same advice applies for long road journeys. Insurance It is advisable to check with your insurance provider that you don’t need any additional documentation from your GP or hospital consultant prior to travel. Vaccinations The manufacturers of the majority of vaccinations state that there is insufficient information to recommend their vaccine during pregnancy and advise avoidance unless the possible benefits outweigh the risks. You should therefore consult your GP or hospital specialist before arranging any vaccinations. Malaria The general advice is that pregnant women should not travel to malarial areas. However if travel is necessary, the risks to mother and fetus of taking anti-malarial drugs tend to be much lower than those from catching malaria. You should therefore consult your GP before starting any anti-malarial drugs.

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