If you're travelling while pregnant, take all the usual precautions, but be especially vigilant. Malaria increases the risk of maternal death, miscarriage and stillbirth so travel to malaria endemic areas should be avoided during pregnancy or if you are intending to become pregnant. There is no first-line malaria treatment able to be taken during pregnancy to help protect against the most deadly form of malaria (
P falciparum).
Be particularly careful to avoid food poisoning when you are pregnant, by maintaining a high standard of hygiene and by steering clear of certain foods. Buffets, seafood and undercooked meats, as well as smoked fish, paté, deli meats and soft cheeses are high on the list of offenders.
Before flying, check the airline's policy: some carriers will not allow women who are more than 35 weeks pregnant to travel and in some cases you will need a doctor's certificate. Also, check whether your travel insurance covers pregnancy.
Be sensible about engaging in any dangerous activities that could harm the unborn child, such as scuba-diving, bungy-jumping or hot saunas.
Take all your prenatal records with you, including your estimated delivery date. Know the warning signs (bleeding, passing tissues or clots; abnormal pain or cramps; rupture of membranes; headache or visual changes) and get help immediately.
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