Traveling by train during pregnancy

Many women sometimes have to travel quite long distances – and pregnancy is no exception. This could be a trip on vacation, to visit relatives, on a business trip, etc. And if earlier we chose transport for a trip based on the principles of comfort or cost, then during pregnancy, the question of the safety of a particular type of transport for the future baby first of all arises. Is it possible to drive a car, fly on an airplane, or is it better to choose a train? Traveling by train during pregnancy – how safe is it?

Is it possible to travel by train during pregnancy?

Traveling by train can sometimes be contraindicated even for completely healthy non-pregnant women – for example, if you suffer from seasickness. Pregnant women should also be careful about such a form of transport as a train – especially if the trip is quite long. So, you should not think about traveling by train during pregnancy in the following situations:

• with increased uterine tone;
• in case of severe anemia (hemoglobin less than 90 g/l);
• with ICI – isthmic-cervical insufficiency;
• in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus;
• for problems with cardiac activity;
• with low blood pressure, frequent dizziness;
• in case of significant manifestations of toxicosis;
• if there have been previous cases of spontaneous abortions (miscarriages);
• in case of multiple pregnancies (only after consulting a doctor);
• with low location of the placenta;
• in case of placenta previa.

In the third trimester, it is better to avoid any trips at all to avoid premature labor. It is especially dangerous to go on a long journey after the 36th week of gestation.

If the pregnancy process is normal, the expectant mother feels well, and the doctor has nothing against such train trips during pregnancy, then traveling is not prohibited. It is advisable to take with you on the road such documents as an "exchange card" (if the woman is already registered at the antenatal clinic), or a medical certificate from the doctor.

What's Better? Plane or Train During Pregnancy

If you choose between a train and a plane, then it is better for a pregnant woman to prefer a train. Flying on a plane is dangerous due to sudden pressure changes during landing and takeoff. And some planes shake just as much.

If a woman becomes ill on a plane or goes into premature labor, the chances of being able to help her competently are much lower than if this happens on a train.

Absolutely all airlines do not allow pregnant women to fly in the later stages of pregnancy – starting from the 36th week.

There are a number of other advantages of traveling by train over flying during pregnancy:

• You can lie down on the train and even sleep.
• On the train you can walk around the carriage, go out onto the platform during a stop and breathe some air.
• On the train you can eat or drink whenever you want.
• The train has a clear schedule that it follows. If the train is delayed, it is usually insignificant. The plane can be delayed due to bad weather, and sometimes the flight is cancelled altogether.

Of course, the airplane has one undeniable "plus" - the speed of movement. However, sometimes - for example, during pregnancy - it is better to move more slowly, but calmly.

Traveling by train in early pregnancy

The early stages of pregnancy are a particularly dangerous period, since most complications (for example, spontaneous abortions and frozen pregnancies) occur in the first trimester.

If you really need to go somewhere by train during pregnancy, then first you need to undergo an examination and get permission from a doctor for such a trip. It is very, very desirable to do this, especially if you have a long journey ahead of you.

When planning a train journey during pregnancy, it is necessary to take into account the following characteristic points:

• The train also sometimes shakes: for example, when connecting and disconnecting carriages, when changing locomotives, during emergency braking of the train, etc.
• If the carriage is overcrowded, there is a risk of a lack of fresh air – and in such a situation, most pregnant women feel significantly worse.
• The train may smell bad: it is no secret that pregnant women often have an intolerance to smells.
• On trains, sometimes you have to communicate with fellow passengers and conductors, which sometimes you absolutely don’t want to do.
• Toilets on trains are not always the most comfortable and clean. In addition, sometimes, in order to get to the toilet, you need to wait in line or wait until the train leaves the sanitary zone - and this can be a small problem.
• There may be people with colds and even viral diseases (especially in winter) on the train. If such a person ends up in the same compartment with you, the risk of getting infected is reduced to almost 100%.

However, in most situations, the train during pregnancy is still much more comfortable than some other types of transport. The conclusion is: before planning a train trip during pregnancy, carefully weigh all the pros and cons, consult with your doctor and make the right decision.

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