Heat, swimming and holiday activities in pregnancy

Holidays are made of activities, and a few of them need a second thought in pregnancy. Here’s a plain guide to heat, water, altitude and food.

Swimming

The NHS says swimming can be good exercise in pregnancy because the water can relieve pressure on your muscles and joints. Take care on wet pool sides, and get out if you feel unwell.

Staying cool

TravelHealthPro says body temperature regulation isn’t as efficient in pregnancy. It suggests choosing air-conditioned accommodation and limiting activity in the heat. The NHS says to try to keep cool and wear the right clothing when you exercise, and to stop if you feel too hot or unwell.

Hot tubs and saunas

The UK Teratology Information Service says there is no yes or no answer, because studies have mixed results. It says limiting the time and lowering the temperature may help avoid a big rise in body temperature, and you can avoid them if you want to be cautious. The finding of a higher miscarriage risk came from one study of around 1,000 pregnant women, for early pregnancy, and the risk looked higher with frequent use and higher temperatures. See also beauty treatments in pregnancy.

Scuba diving

The NHS says not to scuba dive in pregnancy, because it may be unsafe for your baby. Snorkelling at the surface is a different activity, so ask your midwife if you’re not sure.

Activities with a risk of falls or knocks

The NHS says to avoid sports or activities where there’s a risk of falling or bumping your tummy, and names hockey, rugby and mountain biking as examples. For things like theme park rides, horse riding or zip lines there is no specific NHS rule, so apply the same principle, check the operator’s own rules (many have pregnancy restrictions), and ask your midwife if you’re unsure. See exercise in pregnancy for more.

High altitude

TravelHealthPro says:

avoid high altitude in the first trimester, and it’s advisable to have had at least one scan to confirm a healthy pregnancy before you go
after 20 weeks, short stays up to 2,500 metres without heavy exercise are thought to carry minimal risk
if your pregnancy is complicated, avoid high altitude
the WHO advises against sleeping at altitudes above 3,000 metres during pregnancy
acetazolamide, a medicine used for altitude sickness, should not be used in pregnancy

Cruises

Cruise lines and insurers have their own cut-off weeks and rules, and medical care at sea can be limited. Check with both before you book, and see travel insurance in pregnancy.

Food and water abroad

The NHS says to avoid unpasteurised milk and dairy, raw or undercooked meat, and mould-ripened soft cheeses such as brie and camembert unless cooked until steaming hot. Pasteurised soft cheeses such as mozzarella, feta and cottage cheese are fine. See what you can and can’t eat in pregnancy. Wash your hands before eating and after using the toilet, and use hand sanitiser if there’s no soap and water.

If you get travellers’ diarrhoea, TravelHealthPro says oral rehydration salts are considered safe, made up with safe water. Check any other medicine with a pharmacist or doctor first. Fit for Travel’s general advice, which isn’t specific to pregnancy, is that antibiotics aren’t routinely recommended to prevent it, and not to take anti-diarrhoea medicines if you have blood or mucus in the diarrhoea, a high fever or severe tummy pain.

Seek medical help if you have signs of dehydration, diarrhoea that goes on, blood or mucus in your stools, or a fever. For more than 6 episodes in 24 hours, or if you keep vomiting, Fit for Travel says to get medical advice.

When to get help

If you’re pregnant and you have any bleeding or spotting, contact your maternity unit, an early pregnancy unit (if you’re under 20 weeks) or NHS 111. Call 999 if the bleeding is heavy or the pain is severe, or if you have a sharp, sudden, intense pain in your tummy and feel very dizzy or faint, feel sick, or look very pale. If you’re abroad, use the local emergency number and ask for medical help.

If your baby’s movements slow down, stop or change, call your midwife or maternity unit straight away, day or night. Don’t wait until the next day, and don’t use a home doppler to check the heartbeat, because hearing a heartbeat doesn’t mean your baby is well. If you’re abroad, go to a local maternity unit or hospital.

Questions people ask

Is it safe to sunbathe when pregnant?

TravelHealthPro says your body doesn’t regulate its temperature as well in pregnancy, and suggests air-conditioned accommodation and limiting activity in the heat. Many people also choose shade and keep drinking water.

Can I go in a hot tub on holiday?

There’s no clear answer. The UK Teratology Information Service says studies are mixed and one found an increased miscarriage risk in early pregnancy. Some women choose to avoid them as a precaution. If you use one, limit the time and keep the temperature down.

Can I snorkel while pregnant?

The NHS says not to scuba dive. It doesn’t mention snorkelling, so ask your midwife about it.

Is altitude a problem in pregnancy?

TravelHealthPro advises avoiding high altitude in the first trimester, and says short stays up to 2,500 metres after 20 weeks, without heavy exercise, are thought to carry minimal risk.