Great Expectations

Travelling While Pregnant

As seen in The Toronto Star

 

Toronto, ON. With a nod of his head, the customs agent at Pearson International Airport took the passport from my outstretched hand.

 

“What’s your citizenship?” he asked, directing the question to his computer.

“Canadian,” I replied, looking from him to the computer and back again.

“What’s the purpose of your trip?” he probed, again without looking up.

“I’m going to Boston to visit my sister and her family for the Christmas holidays.”
“Are you travelling alone?”

“Well…not exactly,” I giggled.

 

The customs agent whipped his head up and shot me a look. The giggle, I realized, was a little too loud and a little too giddy. It was the type of giggle that only a deliriously excited pregnant woman could make.

 

I nervously pointed to my belly. It looked like an over-inflated exercise ball.

 

Just a whisper of a smile crossed his lips, and then his expression darkened. I knew what he was thinking: “This woman is ready to pop! There’s no way she should be flying!”

 

There are several issues to consider before traveling while pregnant, not the least of which is the airlines’ policies.

 

Most airlines will allow a woman with a normal pregnancy and no previous history of premature labour to travel up to and including her 36th week (four weeks before due date). Some policies, however, contain caveats specific to the airline so it’s a good idea to check the airline’s website or call customer service.

 

To avoid any potential problems, American Airlines spokesperson, Tim Smith, strongly recommends that expectant mothers who are travelling by air bring a doctor’s note. “A medical certificate is really very helpful. It can speed the process and make everyone – including our people at the airport and the mom-to-be – feel more comfortable,” he says.

Without a doctor’s note, the airline and customs agents can deny your right to fly. And according to Smith, “It has happened.”

 

When you’re at the airport, Smith encourages pregnant passengers to seek out staff to help expedite check-in. The automated kiosk, he adds, can also save you from standing in long lines.

 

Of course it’s extremely important to consult with your doctor. Although each woman’s pregnancy is different, there are some general do’s and don’ts applicable to all.

 

According to my doctor, Nick Shilletto, a perinatal obstetrician specializing in high-risk pregnancies, if your physician has deemed your pregnancy “viable” (i.e. no inherent risk factors), then there’s nothing specific about travel, which imparts a risk to either the fetus or the mother.

 

“But travel of any kind can be exhausting and dehydrating,” says Shilletto, who works at North York General Hospital and also has a private practice. “If you’re in the early months of your pregnancy, it’s possible that existing symptoms of fatigue and nausea will be further complicated.”

 

In all stages of pregnancy, he recommends drinking lots of fluids (decaffeinated is best) and nibbling on nutritious snacks like fruit and granola bars. Carbohydrates, he adds, can help relieve nausea; and Gravol is safe if you feel it necessary.

 

Travelling by car, rail and air often necessitates sitting for long periods of time. To keep blood flowing and decrease swelling in legs and feet, Shilletto says to get up and stretch your legs every hour or so.

 

Another solid suggestion: avoid visiting malaria endemic regions. For mosquitoes, pregnant women are like pickles and ice cream. With a fifty percent increase of blood flow and an elevated amount of carbon dioxide, the flying bloodsuckers find mothers-to-be irresistibly delicious. Some anti-malaria meds are safe to take, others are not. Inquire with your local travel clinic.

 

If you are going south, use bug repellent with 10 per cent Deet and reapply every three hours (or more if you’re swimming). During the day, wear light pants and long sleeved shirts, and at night drape a net over your bed.

 

As for physical activities, Shilletto’s best advice is to think in terms of risk avoidance. “You may be an excellent skier or horseback rider, but consider outside factors like unpredictable terrain and other skiers, or your horse getting startled by a noise or another animal.”

In my case, the biggest “risk factor” was hauling my massive girth up the insanely steep and narrow stairs at my sister’s place. But that came later. Back at the airport, I had other concerns.

 

My feet felt like ground beef. So when I flew with Air Canada last holiday season, I made a point of waddling straight to the special needs check-in area.

 

And I found the experience thoroughly civilized. No crowds. No long lines. In fact, no standing at all. The kind staff insisted that I stay seated while they checked my passport and prepared my ticket.

 

Then they sent me on to Customs and it looked like the easy ride was over.

“No. There is no special line here,” said a tired-looking woman who was directing travellers. “You’ll have to join the line like everyone else.”

 

I looked over at the horde of fellow travellers who were squeezed between the stanchions and unintentionally let out a little whimper. There was no way I could stand in the Customs queue for that long.

 

Luckily, an official-looking woman holding a walkie-talkie saw the distressed look in my eyes – or maybe it was the big belly that caught her attention. Either way, she instructed me to take a seat and wait until called.

 

A few minutes later I found myself standing in front of the customs agent who was lacking a little in the humour department. But before he had a chance to interrogate me further, I launched a preemptive strike:

 

“I know I’m huge,” I began. “But I’m only 25 weeks. I look like this because I’m expecting twins.” Then I offered to show a note written by Dr. Shilletto, vouching that at six months gestation, I was well within airline policy.

 

He must have sensed that I was speaking the truth because he declined my offer. Instead he waved me through and said, “Have a good trip… all three of you.”