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Off-season is the best season
It is better to go to a resort not during the peak tourist season. In many warm countries, the peak coincides with the hottest weather, which for a pregnant woman would be an additional health burden. But in autumn or spring, a holiday at a seaside resort is ideal in every way. At this time, the landscapes are particularly pleasing to the eye, the climate and food are as healthy as ever, quiet walks along the coast, comfortable hotels and clean air - this is just «what the doctor ordered» for a pregnant woman. And if the sea water seems not warm enough to someone, that is not a problem at all: many hotels have heated pools open all year round.
Another argument in favor of off-season travel: tour prices in this period are lower compared to summer, meaning you can book a higher-class hotel. For a pregnant woman, you'll agree, it's better not to skimp on service quality.
By the way, when choosing a hotel, pay attention not only to the distance to the sea but also how far it is from the airport. For example, if it is 35-45 km, the transfer will take at least an hour. If finances allow, in any case, no matter how short the distance to the hotel, it is better to order an individual transfer. The car should have air conditioning so that you don't have to ride with open windows.
Of course, you can get a dose of ultraviolet rays in winter as well if you go to a warm country on a “from winter to summer” route. However, the temperature difference and sudden change in climate can negatively affect a pregnant woman's body, so you should think carefully before embarking on such a trip.
It is better to forget about bus tours altogether. Because in that case, you will have to spend many hours in a cramped seat and then walk for a long time during excursions. The usual sleep and eating routine will be disrupted.
One ticket for two
Employees of any travel agency or airline have the right to ask a pregnant woman for a certificate indicating her pregnancy term (especially if this is a late pregnancy), and the certificate must be issued no more than a week before the flight. In some cases, they may ask for a medical card with a doctor's conclusion about the woman's state of health. However, in addition to the medical card, a pregnant traveler must also have an exchange card (a document that briefly describes the history of this and previous pregnancies, childbirths, as well as all examinations and tests). An exchange card can be issued as early as the 22nd week of pregnancy.
If the pregnancy term at the time of the flight reaches 32 weeks, according to the rules of most airlines, the flight will be denied. However, restrictions vary depending on the airline, so it is better to clarify this point in advance.
In some airlines, for example in Transaero, flights for pregnant women are permitted provided that the flight takes place no later than four weeks before the expected due date and that there is no risk of premature birth. And it is carried out only under the condition that the woman signs a guarantee obligation releasing the carrier from liability for consequences that may arise from the deterioration of the health of the expectant mother and fetus during and as a result of the flight. In other airlines, signing a guarantee obligation is not required, but women who have at least four weeks left before the expected due date are also allowed to travel.
In the airline Lufthansa, women with a normal pregnancy can fly up to 36 weeks. If the passenger's term is longer, a permit issued by the airline's doctor will be required.
Medical insurance
Any standard travel package necessarily includes an insurance policy that guarantees reimbursement of medical and medical transport expenses in the event of an insured event abroad. There is no special type of insurance for pregnant women from insurance companies; pregnancy is not an insured event.
As for medical care related to pregnancy, it will certainly be provided in any civilized country, but the bill will be presented not to the insurance company, but to the patient herself. Therefore, you need to have a certain amount of money with you to pay for the services provided. Before the trip, you must consult your doctor, get all necessary recommendations, and stock up on necessary medications.
Tanning without harm to health
Expectant mothers should forget about hot summer days during pregnancy. Sunbathing should be limited to avoid harming the health of themselves and the child. Excessive exposure to the sun can lead to an increase in the temperature of the woman's internal organs, which in turn will cause an increase in the fetal temperature, which negatively affects the child.
Moreover, there is one unpleasant aesthetic point. Hormones, especially estrogens, whose concentration increases during pregnancy, under the influence of sunlight can cause dark spots on the face (mainly on the forehead and nose) - the so-called «pregnancy mask». In some cases, they disappear after childbirth, but they can also remain for life.
But, on the other hand, ultraviolet stimulates the synthesis of vitamin D, which we adults constantly lack, and a child needs it for normal growth and development. Therefore, the optimal option is to limit your time in the sun to morning and evening hours, spend more time in the shade, because a moderate tan can also be obtained from scattered rays.
Bathing in the sea is definitely beneficial, but it's better to just splash around in the water: diving and Olympic-style swimming are an unnecessary strain for an expectant mother.
And of course, while on vacation, you need to constantly take care of your skin. Sunscreen with a high level of protection from well-known manufacturers and without a warning label that it is contraindicated for pregnant and breastfeeding women will come in very handy. However, it's still not worth overusing it - it's better to take care of proper clothing. To avoid overheating the body, do not wear tight-fitting outfits; clothing should be loose, light-colored, and made from natural fabrics. And don't forget about headwear: the ideal option is a wide-brimmed hat.
In hot summer weather, pregnant women, especially in late stages, often experience swelling. There's no need to fear this: in the third trimester of pregnancy, slight swelling that quickly subsides after rest is considered normal. As a rule, it disappears if you reduce salt intake.
Conclusion
In general, most doctors agree that a woman "expecting a stork" does not have to sit within four walls, get bored, and fear every puff of wind. Therefore, traveling is possible, but only not in the last months of pregnancy and provided that the expectant mother feels well. And of course, if her supervising doctor does not object to the trip. At the same time, it is necessary to follow the main rule of vacation: the entire trip should be enjoyable and cause no inconvenience. After all, the health of the child depends primarily on how the nine months before childbirth go. And here the expectant mother must decide for herself (of course, not without the help of a doctor) what kind of rest she and her child need.