Unless otherwise advised by the medical profession, pregnancy does not prevent you from going for a trek on the Dune du Pilat or from starfishing in Biarritz.
That being said, it is still necessary to take a few precautions to enjoy a vacation worthy of the name.
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A check-up before departure
To get your summer holidays off to a good start, "the ideal is to do an obstetrical examination before the trip, in order to make sure of its tension, to check the condition of the cervix and the baby's heart", recalls Marie Le Bartz, wise - female acupuncturist.
The formality will allow you to be comfortable in your flip-flops once you arrive at the resort.
The mode of transportation
Whatever the means of transport, the midwife assures us, no travel time is to be avoided when you are pregnant.
The challenge is then to optimize your comfort and adopt a few reflexes.
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The plane:
needless to say that when buying tickets, it is strongly advised to take into account the term of your pregnancy and then check the maximum stage of pregnancy at which the said company accepts pregnant women.
“It all depends on the company but generally, you can no longer fly after 32-34 weeks of pregnancy, that is after the seventh month”, indicates the professional.
But the term of pregnancy is less important than the risks of venous tromboembolism and phlebitis.
"The veins tend to dilate due to the hormones released during pregnancy. In full flight, the atmospheric pressure and the lack of mobility accentuate the phenomenon", indicates the midwife.
Hence the importance of wearing compression stockings and putting them on in the morning when you wake up.
Sometimes the pregnancy is stipulated on the boarding pass.
If this is not the case or if the pregnancy is not very visible, the professional advises informing the flight attendants of her condition on arrival.
In flight, we also think of getting up every two hours and hydrating, inside and out.
The train and the car:
these two means of transport do not require any particular precaution.
By train, we get up and walk regularly.
"In the car, we make sure that the ride is smooth and we can also tilt the seat for more comfort and prevent the position from pressing too much on the collar", advises Marie Le Bartz.
The boat:
once again, no precautions need to be taken here.
It may be better to wait until the nausea of early pregnancy has passed to take this means of transport.
At the risk of having a very trying journey.
The podcast to listen to
The destination
If you are on an island, make sure there is a maternity ward
Marie Le Bartz, midwife
In France
, you can travel as you see fit, “access to the healthcare system is quick, no matter where you are, underlines the midwife. On the other hand, if you are on an island, make sure whether there is a maternity hospital or a hospital. I am thinking in particular of Belle-Île-en-Mer which does not have one."
Abroad:
Faced with the Covid-19 coronavirus epidemic, many countries are advised against or require special access conditions, refer to the website of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
Zika virus endemic areas are also contraindicated.
"Those of malaria are not strictly, but you have to adopt protective measures on the spot - repellent anti-mosquito products, sleep under a mosquito net, avoid going out after sunset...", indicates the professional.
It is essential to always inform your doctor of the destination of the trip and to consult the weekly epidemiological bulletin of the Health Watch Institute.
On the spot
To do well, you keep your medical file on you.
On the inside ?
"His blood tests and other examinations, but also the contact details of his maternity, to facilitate the faxing of documents if necessary", warns Marie Le Bartz.
In terms of diet, it is essential to respect a few lifestyle and dietary rules to prevent liver risk.
We thus avoid all raw food, and we do not drink tap water.
"We will also always prefer bottled drinks, or we will ask that they be served without ice," adds the specialist.
Sun protection and activities
Full screen
If you are used to hiking, nothing prevents you from doing one during pregnancy.
The main thing is to adapt the rhythm to your form and to listen to yourself.
iStock
If we can only too strongly advise all travelers to take their stock of sunscreen to their vacation spot, the advice is all the more valid for pregnant women.
The midwife explains: "Pregnancy hormones develop hyperphotosensitivity when exposed to the sun, which can lead to the appearance of the famous "mask of pregnancy" (
brown spots on the forehead, cheeks and the chin, editor's note
). Wear a hat most often and protect yourself with an index of 50."
Regarding the activities practiced, only scuba diving is prohibited for pregnant women from the start of pregnancy.
For the rest, it is enough to avoid sports during which you can fall or take blows.
All you have to do is listen to yourself and adapt the schedule to your form.
Thus, "we opt for activities that we can stop if we feel tightness", illustrates Marie Le Bartz.
If we are used to hiking, nothing prevents us from doing it, while gradually adapting to it.
If you are not sporty, however, you will put a damper on the trek in the Canadian Rockies.
*Originally published in July 2018, this article has been updated.