What kind of transportation can I use during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, a woman does not only have happy moments. Unfortunately, the expectant mother also faces problems. One of them is pregnancy and transport. When using public transport, a woman often experiences nausea, dizziness, motion sickness, headaches. She comes into unwanted contact with sick people, runs the risk of injury and, surprisingly, encounters misunderstanding and rejection from other passengers.

Public transport and pregnancy

Public transport and pregnancy must be somehow combined by all expectant mothers living in large cities. Otherwise, it is impossible to cover long distances, even if you have a personal car. After all, traffic jams are a real scourge of modern megacities.

Unfortunately, pregnancy and transport do not go well together. When traveling in crowded minibuses and buses, a woman may feel exhausted, suffer from dizziness and nausea, faint, and even vomit. The causes of such ailments are toxicosis and anemia, as well as hormonal changes that provoke pressure surges.

It is advisable to learn to control your condition and not allow extremes, in particular, fainting. At the first signs of threatening symptoms, a woman should go outside before reaching the necessary stop. If fresh air does not make things easier, you should ask passers-by for help.

If you can't get out, it is advisable to open a window, unbutton tight clothing, breathe deeply, and lie down if possible. When dizziness occurs regularly, it is recommended to carry ammonia with you.

If you experience a headache while traveling in public transport, you need to remove your hat and gently massage the sore spot until the pain goes away.

To prevent viral infections, especially during the cold season, it is useful for expectant mothers to use oxolinic ointment or a mask. Strengthening the immune system with vitamins, garlic and onions (in small doses) plays an important role in preventing colds.

Injuries pose a serious danger to women expecting a child. They threaten a pregnant passenger during sharp turns, braking and other maneuvers of the vehicle.

To avoid such risks, it is better for a woman not to use public transport during rush hour, to travel only sitting down, not to rush to get on and off at stops. In the subway, do not stand on the edge of the platform, walk in the direction of travel, do not use the escalator. During this period, comfortable shoes with a stable heel should be worn.

And finally, about the moral side of the problem. For some reason, recently it has become "unfashionable" to give up your seat to a pregnant woman. Women complain about inattention, ignoring and even rudeness from other passengers, including women. It is difficult to explain such behavior of others, because at all times a pregnant woman has traditionally been surrounded by respect and care. Respectful attitude is one of the long-standing traditions of our people. Probably, modern education in schools and families has serious gaps in this area.

Experts advise women not to be shy and, if no one pays attention to her, to ask the conductor or a seated passenger to give up their seat. As a rule, this works. And if a woman radiates confidence and goodwill, then she won’t have to ask anyone, people will notice her condition themselves.

What if you get motion sickness during pregnancy?

Motion sickness and nausea are almost inevitable companions of pregnant women using public transport. Especially in the first trimester, if the expectation of a child is accompanied by early toxicosis.

Motion sickness can be caused by: an empty or full stomach, lack of sleep, stress, flickering images outside the window, strong smells, cramped and stuffy conditions, riding backwards in the direction of travel or standing, swaying of the vehicle, and other factors.

Motion sickness manifests itself as dizziness, weakness, drowsiness, malaise, increased sensitivity to odors, nausea and vomiting. What to do if a woman gets motion sickness in transport during pregnancy?

To prevent motion sickness, you should prepare for your planned trip in advance:

• don't overeat, but don't leave hungry either;
• drink light ginger or chamomile tea;
• take an audiobook or music on the road;
• just in case, take an empty bag.

In transport, it is advisable to take a comfortable seat in the front, and also:

• sit facing forward;
• do not read or look out the side windows;
• keep mints in your mouth;
• listen to music with your eyes closed.

If all preventive measures do not help to solve the problem of "pregnancy and transport", the trip should be stopped or rescheduled. The pregnant woman should leave the salon and go out into the fresh air, try to sit on a bench and wait for the condition to improve.

What if you feel sick in transport during pregnancy?

Motion sickness and nausea usually “work” together. Lack of oxygen, sudden movements, and tightness can provoke malaise even in healthy people. Pregnant women are initially susceptible to this, especially in the first months, when toxicosis torments. Nausea provokes vomiting attacks, which aggravates the problem and puts the woman in an extremely awkward position.

If a woman feels sick in transport during pregnancy, it is better for her to avoid such trips if possible. And if she must go, then use a type of transport from which she can go outside at any time. The problem of "pregnancy and transport" is easiest to solve with a taxi.

Nausea can be caused by any smell: gasoline, cosmetics, tobacco, any food. Sometimes another smell can help to avoid discomfort, which can “overpower” the unpleasant fumes. For this purpose, it is recommended to carry an aroma pendant or a handkerchief scented with your favorite aroma. The refreshing effect of lemon, orange, mint or eucalyptus oil, as a rule, does not cause objections from other passengers.

The following actions are recommended against nausea:

• put a mint candy in your mouth;
• wipe your forehead, neck, and temples with a wet handkerchief or napkin;
• remove excess clothing if it is hot;
• get off at the first stop;
• as a last resort, use a pre-prepared bag for its intended purpose.

A pregnant woman should remember that during pregnancy her main task is to give birth to a healthy child. This is what her husband, relatives, friends, and society expect from her. But we would also like to advise society to see each pregnant woman as a friend, relative, or colleague and offer help without waiting for a request from her. And it is even better to accompany a pregnant woman on all, even short, trips.