The session was given by Helena António, a pediatrician at Aliva, and Joana Silva, a nurse coordinator in the Pediatrics area at Aliva.
"It is essential that couples who are about to become parents or who have newborns plan and prepare their trips very well, whether by plane or car, to avoid unexpected complications during the journey and ensure a safe and comfortable trip for everyone", began by stating pediatrician Helena António.
In the case of air travel, the main precautions that pregnant women should take include: a medical consultation to assess the health of the pregnant woman, especially if it is a high-risk pregnancy; travel insurance to cover possible medical emergencies during pregnancy; documentation, namely the pregnant woman's medical report with information about her blood type, as well as medical authorization to travel by plane; checking which vaccinations are mandatory in the destination country; choosing safe destinations and avoiding traveling to areas with disease outbreaks; check the airline's travel policies regarding pregnant women; consider an aisle seat for greater comfort.
As for essential care for traveling safely with babies on a plane, the pediatrician highlights the importance of having a consultation with the pediatrician before planning the trip, using a safety seat, relieving pressure during take-off and landing, taking essential items (diapers, extra clothes, food, pacifiers, toys, personal hygiene items, medicines), and ensuring that all vaccinations are up to date.
In turn, nurse Joana Silva highlighted that, in cases where pregnant women take long car trips, it is important to comply with a set of measures and care, such as using a seatbelt, making frequent stops to move their legs, opting for light and comfortable clothing, and not wearing shoes that are tight on the feet, to avoid swelling.
"If you are travelling by car with babies, you should use a car seat that is suitable for the baby's age and weight, and install it correctly in the vehicle. Regular stops are recommended so that the baby can move around and rest. Furthermore, it is important to keep the car environment pleasant and at a suitable temperature, and avoid leaving loose objects in the car that could cause accidents during the journey", concluded Joana Silva.
