Pregnant travel: Glamorous or Ghetto?
POV: You’ve just arrived to a beautiful all-inclusive resort and cannot touch the spicy margaritas! A tequila-less vacation, Tragic!
I found out I was pregnant in July 2021 (after a drunken weekend in Mexico, another post, another day). Between June 2021 and February 2022, I flew to three countries. Baybee, if I ever get pregnant again, I will be a first class only type chick ’cause those small seats were not made for my baby bump and/or hump.
I had amazing times in Mexico, Antigua and Jamaica, but there were definitely some lessons learned. Check out my list below so you don’t have to make the same mistakes I made, but I know some of yall hardheaded and going to find out the hard way. Hard heads make soft…., but anyway, don’t say I didn’t warn you!
Things to remember if you’re traveling the friendly skies while pregnant:
- Check with your doctor before traveling.
- The second trimester is usually the best time to fly (hopefully you’re done with morning sickness but not at risk of delivering on vacation).
- Check with your airline. Do you need to provide proof of your due date (yes this happens)?
- You can pre-board (Yes ma’am Pam).
- Don’t be shy. Ask for extra/specific snacks (let me get a gingerale, on the rocks please).
- If you’re not already in First Class, find out if there will be any free upgrades at the gate (I’m telling yall those Coach seats are tight fits).
- Avoid gassy foods pre-flight (eeek).
- Ask for a seatbelt extender, if necessary. Buckle up under belly, low on the hip bones.
- Monitor your fluid intake (stay hydrated, but who wants to squeeze into a little cubby to pee repeatedly).
- Be familiar with your insurance plan. What happens if you need medical assistance or if you deliver away from home? If traveling out of the country, do you need a supplemental policy for oversees coverage?
- Compression socks are your bestie.
- Keep your blood flowing on long flights. Walk the aisle (if turbulence allows) and flex/extend your ankles while seated.
- Order some cute mocktails, but watch the sugar. Poe up, responsibly!
I’m so happy I got my share of travels in because I have only been on an airplane once in the last 12 months. My postpartum journey said calm down sis. No worries though, we’ll be back and we will have our favorite third wheel with us (sometimes anyway).
Note: I am not a medical professional, just a mama that flew quite a bit while preggo.
That’s It. That’s All Yall.
J. Bai
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