Travelling pregnant - Everything you need to know before you go
Even if traveling while pregnant can be risky, it shouldn't prevent future parents from going, as long as they're well prepared and insured. Travel may or may not be possible, depending on the physical condition of the mother-to-be. Trip cancellation and interruption insurance is highly recommended, as pregnancy-related risks (complications) are covered in the event of cancellation. Here are the main points to bear in mind when taking out travel insurance, and what to bear in mind when planning your trip.
How cancellation insurance works in the event of pregnancy
Europ Assistance's cancellation insurance offers additional security for your trip in the event of pregnancy. It covers travel costs if departure cannot take place due to an unforeseeable complication of a pregnancy of less than 28 weeks (beyond that, it is not covered). Trip cancellation and interruption cover are included in all our insurance plans:
- ESSENTIAL from CHF 46 for one trip
- COMFORT from CHF 58 for one trip
Il faut bien noter que la grossesse elle-même ne sera pas couverte. L'assurance annulation en cas de grossesse Please note that pregnancy itself is not covered. Pregnancy cancellation insurance covers pregnancy-related health complications. However, if the pregnant woman wishes to cancel her trip for fear of complications, this is not covered.
Two cases of trip cancellation in the event of pregnancy
As possible complications related to pregnancy are covered by cancellation insurance, but not the pregnancy itself, two situations can be distinguished:
- If the insured person is already pregnant when the trip is booked, it is advisable to take out insurance. If the trip cannot go ahead due to unexpected complications, all cancellation costs will be covered (pregnancy less than 28 weeks).
- If the pregnancy is discovered after the trip has been booked, cancellation insurance also covers complications and health risks.
Is my partner also covered?
While you want to enjoy these last moments together, in the event of cancellation, your partner may also have to pay cancellation fees. In this particular case, in the event of a pregnancy complication, the insurance will work for your partner, as you will be considered as a “sick relative”.
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When is the ideal time to travel during pregnancy?
The ideal time to travel during pregnancy depends on many factors specific to the mother-to-be. We often recommend traveling between the 13th and 28th week of pregnancy. By this time, the fatigue and nausea of the first trimester have often passed, allowing for a restful stay. Most airlines allow you to fly up to the 36th week of pregnancy, and studies show that pressure changes and slight jolts in the air are not harmful to the unborn baby.
For longer stays abroad, you'll need to find competent medical and gynecological professionals on site to guarantee regular pregnancy check-ups. Check in advance whether the cost of these examinations will be covered by your health insurance, or whether you will need to take out specific or supplementary health insurance.
Have you heard of Babymoon? It's a trend among new parents to take a trip before they're 3. A change of scenery, peace and relaxation are all part of this kind of vacation, for both mum-to-be and dad-to-be! In fact, don't hesitate to ask about hotels that are specially adapted for pregnant guests.
Preparing for your trip
You'll find our checklist for preparing your first-aid kit here. However, it needs to be adapted for pregnancy in order to quickly treat frequently occurring symptoms. These include heartburn, unpleasant cramps or involuntary uterine contractions, which can be relieved with magnesium, for example. Dehydration, particularly in arid regions, remains a constant risk.
Before setting off on a trip, pregnant women should find out about local medical facilities. Indeed, if gynecological services or hospitals with emergency services are not available nearby at the place of stay, the medical risk of the trip will be higher.
In addition to this general advice, some specific rules apply to pregnant women. To ensure the safety of their passengers, airlines accept pregnant women on their flights only up to the 36th week of pregnancy. From the 28th week of pregnancy, a medical certificate of fitness for air travel issued by a doctor is also required. At this stage of pregnancy, limited space in the plane, whether at seat level or in the aisles, can become a problem. Doctors recommend getting up and moving regularly during long flights to avoid poor blood circulation.
If you're traveling by car, regular breaks are also highly recommended. Compression stockings can prevent thrombosis on long journeys.
By following our advice and taking out travel cancellation and interruption insurance, you can travel with peace of mind during your pregnancy. Don't forget to listen to your intuition when deciding whether or not to travel!
