Can pregnant women travel during Dashain?

 Can pregnant women travel during Dashain?

Pregnant women should take precautions according to the trimester and seek medical advice when traveling during Dashain.

While long trips in the first trimester are risky and excessive shock can increase the risk of miscarriage, you can travel with caution in the second trimester.

Everyone loves to spend time with their families in the festive atmosphere of Dashain. During this time, many people travel long distances to visit their families.

However, pregnant women should take special precautions while traveling. Most of the roads in Nepal are currently under construction. This can be risky for pregnant women.

Whether or not you can travel depends on the stage of pregnancy and your health condition.

First trimester (1 to 13 weeks)

The first trimester of pregnancy is generally considered a risky time. During this period, pregnant women experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and weakness.

Although these are common signs of pregnancy, long journeys can make them more complicated.

Long-distance roads are often bumpy. Traveling on such roads can cause the baby to be affected by the jolts of the vehicle. At this time, the baby is just settling in the uterus. Excessive jolts or stress can increase the risk of bleeding or miscarriage. Not only that, but the rapid hormonal fluctuations can also cause vomiting, dizziness, and weakness, which greatly complicates the journey.

Therefore, travel should be avoided as much as possible in the first trimester. If travel is necessary, it should be done only for short distances. Regardless of the type of journey, it is advisable to consult a doctor once.

Second trimester (14 to 28 weeks), you can travel with caution

The second trimester is considered relatively safe for travel. Symptoms such as nausea and vomiting are less common during this time. Since the stomach is not very large, the discomfort while traveling is also reduced.

If the pregnancy is normal and the doctor has given permission, you can travel during this period. However, caution is necessary. Long journeys on the mountainous roads of Nepal can be more jarring. You should not travel on a bike or motorbike.

If you have your own vehicle. And, if the road is good, you can travel by taking breaks every one to two hours, drinking water, and eating a light snack.

Caution is necessary in special cases

If you are pregnant, have twins, or have a history of premature birth in the past, it is better not to travel. Short-distance air travel is fine, but long flights can affect you. It is better to consult a doctor before traveling.

Third trimester (29 to 40 weeks): Minimize travel

Traveling in the third trimester is risky. The belly is large, making it difficult to stay in one position for a long time. As the time of delivery approaches, pain can occur at any time. The amount of water in the baby's body increases, which can cause premature labor or complications.

During this time, the risk of health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) increases. Blood can clot, which occurs when the limbs are not moved for a long time and can cause serious problems in the lungs or heart. If travel is essential, air travel of less than 2 hours within Nepal is allowed up to 36 weeks.

How to take precautions safely if you have to travel?

If you have to travel, you can carry all your medical records with you. You should know where the nearest good hospital is. If you feel pain or complications occur, you should arrange for immediate treatment. It is advisable to consult a doctor before traveling. If the destination is far, it is better to postpone the trip.

Pregnant women should take breaks every 1-2 hours, stretch their legs, and drink water.

It is advisable to carry health records and emergency contact numbers and find out about the nearest good hospital at the destination. However, landslides are currently occurring on most highways. Even groups that are not at risk seem to need to take precautions when traveling.