Hi everyone,
I'm still early in pregnancy after IVF and am so excited! Good luck to everyone who is still planning and hoping to get pregnant.
I'm wondering what you all think about traveling. We had been planning a trip from Norway to the US but now I will be at around week 21-22 in pregnancy if all goes well. Were you advised not to travel then? If you are planning to travel or have traveled what kind of precautions or planning should I make?
Thanks for your advice!
Melissa
Melissa,
Congrats!! How exciting!
I am actually getting married in a few weeks and will be traveling for the honeymoon. I will be about 16 weeks at that point so I know it is earlier than your will be.
My doctor advised me to just be sure I get up and walk around enough while on the plane. That was the only big thing she suggested. She said there should be no other issues and to enjoy myself.
Another precaution I will make for myself is that I will not be trying any new foods while in a different country.
I wish you the best! Extra snacks, extra water and checking BS more would be my advice..along with walking around as much as you can while traveling!
Congratulations, Melissa!
I flew from Baltimore to California when I was 7 months pregnant. I was pretty nervous about it, but it went fine.
My doctors were fine with it, but they did suggest that I wear compression stockings or knee-high compression socks on the flights and that I walk around frequently during the flight. I also did frequent leg exercises while seated (like heel raises and ankle rotations).
In addition, my doctors suggested that I research hospitals in the area I'd be staying, specifically to identify ones with both a high-risk OB/MFM/perinatology department and a Level III (I think that's the highest level?) NICU, just in case I were to go into labor early or have any other issues. They copied all of my prenatal records and wrote a cover letter explaining the basics of my case and their contact information, and I took all of that with me.
I also took along lots of foods that had predictable effects on my bg, especially things I could eat for breakfast, since often hotels only have super-high-carb options.
In general I think it's always a good idea to have a letter from your doctor explaining that all of the supplies you have with you (insulin pump, syringes, pump infusion sets, or whatever) are medically necessary, in case you have any trouble at security.
Good luck, and have a great trip!
Congratulations Melissa,
Are you currently on a pump and CGM?
If so there are many things I can advise when traveling with a pump. I've had a lot of bad experiences traveling with my pump and CGM.
For the pregnancy and traveling, I totally second the researching hospitals in the area just in case something should happen. Research and possibly buy Travel insurance and check your regular medical insurance- to see what coverage you have.
I would also the second the extra snacks and checking your blood sugar more often.
Have a great trip! :)
Yes, travel insurance for sure! Especially for an expensive international ticket, you don't want to have to lose that money if you should become unable to travel for any reason. I got it for my trip, and it's not that expensive, and totally worth it for the peace of mind.
Thanks for all of your responses! I am comfortable traveling with diabetes with my pump and CHM as I travel frequently and now live abroad. I am happy to hear your advice that travel is possible in trimester 2 (obviously depending on your individual case and health status) and about extra precautions to take while pregnant.
My OB GYN advised that I not travel more than 1.5 hours away from the hospital but just for my last trimester. Personally, when traveling it’s harder for me to control my diet and also sometimes time zones / adjusting basals, but all of that can be managed.