Travel tips

Are you pregnant or planning to become pregnant in the near future and want to go on a trip? Traveling during pregnancy doesn’t have to be a problem. Prepare well and adjust your travel plans if necessary. Especially if you want to travel to areas with yellow fever or malaria. Think about whether this trip to the (sub)tropics is necessary. Women are more vulnerable to infectious diseases during pregnancy. Therefore, traveling to areas with malaria or yellow fever during pregnancy is generally not recommended.

During pregnancy, there is a higher chance that you will need medical treatment than when you are not pregnant. Since the quality of medical facilities can vary significantly from one country to another, you might not get the best treatment when you're abroad. It's a good idea to research the potential risks of your planned trip and the healthcare facilities at your destination before you book your trip. With the right information, you can assess whether the benefits of your trip outweigh the risks.

If you have specific questions or would like personal advice, you can always contact us or make an appointment.

Malaria, dengue and DEET

Malaria and dengue can be more serious during pregnancy compared to non-pregnant women, and malaria can result in miscarriage or premature birth. Therefore, it's not advisable to travel to areas where malaria is present while pregnant.

If you do choose to travel to an area with malaria, it's crucial to take the recommended malaria tablets as it is prescribed. Pregnant women sometimes have concerns about the side effects of these tablets and the potential risks to their unborn child. However, it's important to remember that malaria is a serious disease and that the travel nurse will provide you with tablets that are safe for you to use.

Anti-malarial medications don’t offer 100% protection against malaria, so it's vital to take proper precautions against mosquitoes. If you experience fever or flu-like symptoms during or after your time in an area with malaria, you should get tested for malaria as soon as possible.

To prevent dengue, it's crucial to take mosquito protection measures in areas where dengue is present, especially also during the day. Since April 2023, a vaccine against dengue has been available. Unfortunately, this vaccine is not suitable for pregnant women or those who are breastfeeding.

DEET up to 30% can be used throughout pregnancy. Preferably, do not use more or for longer than necessary for adequate protection.

Infectious diseases

During pregnancy, both you and your unborn child are more vulnerable to infectious diseases. Any infection that causes a high fever can trigger labour. Not all antibiotics and medications can be safely used during pregnancy. Paracetamol can be used safely and is recommended to prevent high fever spikes. Do not hesitate to see a doctor for (high) fever, as well as for advice or doubts about medication use.

Vaccinations

Most vaccinations can be safely administered during pregnancy. The nurse who administers the vaccination will take this into account when giving you personal advice. Be sure to make an appointment with us for personalised advice.

Diarrhoea

Diarrhea is unpleasant and can lead to dehydration. During pregnancy, you are more vulnerable to dehydration.  Moreover, managing prolonged or severe diarrhoea can be more challenging, as many treatments aren't suitable for pregnant women, including anti-diarrhoeal medications (loperamide) and certain antibiotics.   Therefore, it's essential to pay extra attention to hygiene measures that can help prevent diarrhoea and dehydration.

Air travel

Most airlines do not allow pregnant women to fly after the 36th week due to the possibility of giving birth on board. Additionally, flying is not recommended for up to 7 days after giving birth, partly because of the increased risk of deep vein thrombosis.

Before you book your trip, make sure to check the airline's policies. If you suffer from severe anaemia or have a history of thrombosis, it's important to discuss your travel plans with your midwife, GP, or gynaecologist. When flying, aim for an aisle seat to give yourself more legroom and comfort. Remember to get up and walk around every half hour to reduce the risk of thrombosis. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, as the air on planes can be quite dry.

Medications

Talk to the vaccination nurse, your GP, or a pharmacist about which medicines are safe to use during pregnancy. Some women get vaginal yeast infections more often when they are pregnant. Traveling to warm places can make this more likely. After discussing with your GP, you might want to take antifungal medicine with you.

Here are some additional tips:

• Car accidents are common, so it’s a good idea to see a doctor after an accident, even if your injury seems small or if you don’t feel any problems right away.
• Try to avoid risky activities like water skiing or deep-sea diving.
• When you are pregnant, you have a higher chance of getting altitude sickness if you go to high mountains (above 2500 meters). Medicines for altitude sickness should not be used when you are pregnant. It's very important to go up slowly, rest for 4-5 days before doing anything too hard, and to avoid heavy exercise.
• In the Netherlands, about 10% of pregnancies end in miscarriage. This can also happen while you are traveling or just after getting a vaccination, and it may not be related to the trip or the vaccine. The quality of healthcare may not always be as good as in the Netherlands. It's important to keep this in mind when choosing your travel destination in case you need medical help while you are abroad.
• In the Netherlands, about 10% of pregnancies end in miscarriage. This can also happen while you are traveling or just after getting a vaccination, and it may not be related to the trip or the vaccine. The quality of healthcare may not always be as good as in the Netherlands. It's important to keep this in mind when choosing your travel destination in case you need medical help while you are abroad.