Is Train Journey Safe During Pregnancy?
1) I live in New Delhi and in this month itself i went to my in-laws house in Berhampore court which is 200 kms away from Kolkata with the apprehension of having the delivery there only; she was in her 22 weeks of pregnancy then. Now I am thinking to bring her back again in Delhi and want to have the delivery here only. But the journey from Berhampore Court to New delhi consists of 5 hrs. train journey (of couse in A/c) and 2.30 hrs flight journey. Now can i do it now? is it safe for her to make this journey now? I am planning to bring her back on 15th May, 2014. Please suggest me whether she can make this journey comfortably?
2) How serious this B/L resistance is? is it normal to have this resistance?
Yes she can travel.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for trusting us with your health concern.
A) Normally speaking travel is safe till 34 wks of pregnancy. Air travel is quite safe for most healthy pregnant women. You also need permission from your consulting obstetrician with clearance of airline and rule out other possible risk factors like Past History of Preterm labor, Vaginal bleeding, High BP, Diabetes, Anemia, Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) or Air Embolism, Problem with high altitude etc.
You can safely do the travelling around 15th may.
Certain measures to be taken during travelling like:
1) In flight- She will get up and walk around at least once an hour and drink plenty of fluids.
2) Take some medications in her kit bag for pregnancy related problems like heartburn, skin complaints, constipation, vomiting etc. Along with she must take sanitary napkin for emergency purpose.
B) Mild resistive flow in B/L uterine arteries is a normal finding. It is the high resistance flow which is associated with fetal growth retardation. This mild resistance flow does not need any treatment.
Please feel free to discuss further. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Rakhi-Tayal
Please tell me what kind of precautions are required to be taken while travelling 5 hrs in train. As it will be chair car reservation.
also she does not have any Past History of Preterm labor, Vaginal bleeding, High BP, Diabetes,Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) or Air Embolism. Although She had Anemia in her early stage of life.
Also what precautions should be taken while take off and landing of flight as it actually shakes the body a lot.
Detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
While travelling in the train she can get up and move around after every hour or so. She can take a very light meal before the journey to avoid nausea.
If she is not anaemic now then there is no need to worry.
During the travel by air you can request for front seats where she will get some extra space to spread her legs. During a take off and landing she can suck a candy to avoid any barotrauma.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Also please tell me why the doc has prescribed "Isoxsuprine Capsules (sustained release) Duvadilan retard company, as he was saying it's for to stop pre-mature labor; why exactly is this medicine for? and is it necessary at this stage? Should she take this medicine or not?
To have a final confirmation you are saying she will not have any problem in the journey which will almost take 8 hrs. of which 5 hrs. in train and 3 hrs. in flight while she will be almost 27 weeks pregnant on May 15, 2014. Will she be feeling exhausted, if so what can be done that time to comfort her?
Yes. She can travel.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Exhaustion and tiredness is a part of pregnancy. She needs to take plenty of energy drinks during the travel to combat this. Taking fresh fruit juices would be most helpful.
Isoxsuprine is used to prevent mild uterine contractions due to exertion like travelling. She can start taking the medicine 3 days before travelling and should continue for a week.
Yes she can travel at 27 weeks pregnancy but it would be best to get a clearance from her treating obstetrician after a direct examination.
Regards.