“There is a risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT, which are blood clots that develop in the deep veins of the legs) during pregnancy. And these risks get higher with flights longer than four hours or if the mother has other issues, such as being overweight,” said Dr Goh.
DVT can be dangerous as the clots can travel to the lungs, which can be life threatening, she added.
However, if your dream babymoon destination is farther away, Dr Goh advised opting for a non-direct flight instead. “There is an opportunity to walk around during the transit time and reduces the discomfort of prolonged sitting,” she said.
3. The destination itself
Avoid areas with poor access to good healthcare facilities or destinations that require multiple immunisations, including hot spots for malaria or Zika, both of which can result in adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as miscarriage, premature birth and congenital malformations in the foetus.
“Far-flung islands, albeit romantic, may throw your babymoon into disarray if a medical emergency occurs and transportation is not readily available,” said Dr Goh.
Stay away from places that pose food or water hygiene issues. When unsure, stick with warm cooked food and use bottled water for brushing your teeth and drinking.
Any trips to destinations at high altitudes (more than 2,400 metres) should be postponed until after baby is born, as pregnant mums can find it hard to cope, said Dr Goh.
Areas with high altitude have low air pressure and less oxygen, which can result in hypoxia (low levels of oxygen in the body’s tissues) and lead to an increased risk of preeclampsia (a medical emergency where blood pressure rises, resulting in placental, maternal and foetal problems).
But if you’ve already booked your flights, Dr Goh advised staying for no more than a few days in a high-altitude area.
