Travel
Information for a Healthy Pregnancy: Exercise
Air TravelBefore booking long distance, overseas or air travel ask your doctor about the risks of travelling during pregnancy.
Most airlines allow women to fly until the 30th week of pregnancy short flights (less than 2hours) are preferred to longer flights.
Sitting in one position for a long period of time can increase the risk of a clot forming in one of the deep veins of the leg. Dehydration, crossing legs, low humidity and excess alcohol consumption are also contributing factors to developing a DVT.
A pregnant woman is at increased risk by being pregnant, these risks can be reduced by:-
- Requesting an aisle seat so you can move your legs and feet to improve circulation.
- Drink plenty of water, no alcohol or beverages containing caffeine.
- Wearing well fitting compression stockings.
Limit land travel to 5-6 hours a day. Avoid long tiring journeys. Make frequent stops to exercise your legs. In vehicles always wear your seatbelt which fits across your hips and between your breasts. Make sure you are comfortable with a pillow in the small of your back.