Who doesn’t like road trips? There are few things as enjoyable as driving through open roads with music in your ears and loved ones beside you. Every year, close to 154 million Americans go on road trips during summer, and this means there is a high chance that, at some point, you or someone you care about will be pregnant while on a road trip.
As we all know, extra care and attention are needed for pregnant mothers to ensure not only their safety but also the unborn child’s well-being. Let us look at some of the most important aspects that pregnant mothers and other family members should be aware of when going on a road trip.
#1. Staying Hydrated
Drinking enough water is crucial to maintain fluid balance in the body. During pregnancy, the volume of fluid in the body increases, and the body needs to be able to effectively regulate this increase to ensure optimal health.
Proper hydration helps to maintain the balance of fluid in the body, preventing dehydration and reducing the risk of related health problems.
Staying hydrated is also crucial to regulating body temperature. This is because pregnant women are more likely to experience overheating during summer, which is a serious concern. Hydration helps keep the mother cool and reduces the risk of heat-related problems like heat exhaustion or heatstroke.
Hydration is also important for the fetus in order to maintain the correct levels of amniotic fluids. Amniotic fluid is essential for providing a cushion to protect the baby and allow for proper growth and development. An imbalance in amniotic fluids raises the likelihood of preterm labor as well as birth defects.
#2. Be Careful About the Medication you Take
In the hustle and bustle and cramped spaces of a car, it can be difficult to keep track of what medicines you are taking. It doesn’t help that without the labels on a blister pack. Most drugs start to look very familiar to each other. The importance of knowing what you are putting into your body is amplified when a woman is pregnant.
Just look at the recent Tylenol Lawsuit in which several instances emerged where pregnant mothers who took the drug gave birth to children that went on to suffer from Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
This case has been making the news now for some time now, and as of January 25, 2023, the trial has entered the discovery stage.
More and more people are coming forward after realizing that their children, or someone close to them, suffered as a result of Tylenol use. You can now understand the importance of being very cautious when packing medicines. Consult with your doctor and avoid taking drugs that have a reputation for being side effect heavy.
It may be tempting to pop a quick Tylenol when you are not feeling well, especially on a car ride, where it is common to feel sick or have headaches. If such a situation occurs, it is better to pull over and take a break or find a place to lie down for a while. For this reason, bringing relevant supplies is important and takes us to our next point.
#3. Emergency Supplies
The very nature of a road trip involves riding free and far, crossing vast distances where you are not likely to find the conveniences you are used to in everyday life.
There may be times when you need assistance, but it would take a long time to arrive. Packing the right supplies can be life-saving in that regard.
A good stash of supplies will ensure that your hydration needs are met with enough stores of clean drinking water and healthy snacks. You will also want basic toiletries, towels, and extra prescriptions for any medication that you rely on.
In addition, you also want to bring some sort of GPS device along with your phone as well as something like a portable solar phone charger. This can give you a line of communication during emergency situations.
#4. Take Frequent Breaks
Constant driving can give you the illusion that you are active. But when you think about it, you are sitting in the same spot for hours on end, which is incredibly unhealthy. Try your best to stop frequently in order to get out and walk around. Brusque walking for 5 – 10 minutes before resuming your road trip is a good idea.
Such breaks help to keep your blood circulating, along with a host of other health benefits. You might think that it can ruin the experience of a road trip if you have to stop every half hour or so. But are you really willing to take unnecessary risks when the remedy for serious consequences is so simple?
Conclusion
Pregnant women can most definitely enjoy all the joys of a road trip like anyone else. It is a great traveling experience and can be a memorable time for all involved.
That said, taking extra care in order to keep safe during your pregnancy is important. This is a sensitive and delicate time, and road trips are not always the most comfortable journeys. Preparing well in advance and taking precautions may seem a little tiresome at times, but the peace of mind you get is worth any minor inconvenience.
