Is It Safe To Travel By Bus During Pregnancy?

Image: MomJunction Design Team

Traveling is an unavoidable aspect of our lives these days, whether for business, a doctor’s appointment, or a vacation. However, new mothers may be apprehensive about traveling long distances by public transportation. This post helps you prepare for such situations.

Read this post to learn whether it is safe to travel by bus during pregnancy, the risks associated with it, and some tips for safe bus travel during this time.

Is It Safe To Travel By Bus During Pregnancy? What Are The Risks Associated With It?

The best time to travel is mid-pregnancy (14 to 28 weeks). But travel may not be recommended for women who have pregnancy complications. If you are planning a trip, talk to your obstetrician-gynecologist (Ob-Gyn) to better understand travel restrictions if any. Get your check-up done before you leave for long-distance travel on a bus.

There are also a few risks involved with bus travel during pregnancy. Bus journeys are uncomfortable for some expectant moms.

1. If you are traveling a long distance or get stuck in a traffic jam, you cannot get up and move around often; this can put you at risk for blood clots (1) and varicose veins.

Image: Shutterstock

2. In case you are traveling on a vacation by bus, sleeping while sitting upright can be really uncomfortable. In fact, it can also lead to swelling in your legs.

3. The biggest worry in bus travel during pregnancy is the need to use the washroom, especially if you are traveling in an air-conditioned bus.

4. During travel one gets thirsty more often, so you are likely to be drinking more water which can leave you wanting to run to the bathroom at the earliest.

5. Lack of a seat belt can also put you and your belly at risk of getting hurt, in case of sudden and hard braking or deep potholes on the road.

Quick fact

Expecting women should remain seated while traveling by bus as they are more likely to feel nauseous or faint when traveling by bus (5).

Image: Shutterstock

Tips For Safe Bus Travel During Pregnancy

Though traveling by bus during pregnancy has a few minor shortcomings, there are ways you can make your journey comfortable and relaxed.

1. Be Transparent: Traveling particularly during office hours can be quite a pain with buses being crowded and everyone seeming to be in a hurry.

• Always inform the bus conductor or your co-passengers that you are pregnant so that you can save yourself from being pushed around. You may also attach a ‘Baby on Board’ sign to your bag to let others know.
• Also, if you are traveling a long journey out of the station, check the bus schedule in advance and plan accordingly. Informing the bus service about your pregnancy can help them facilitate a good seat with optimum air conditioning and extra support to make your journey less tiring and risky.

2. Keep ‘Em Handy:

Pack your food, water, and medications handily when planning a long journey by bus. Carrying essential items handy can help ensure proper nutrition and hydration, vital for proper prenatal care (2). Avoid carrying oily items like chips that could aggravate nausea and stick to a lot of citrus fruits and drinks.

Image: Shutterstock

• Eat cautiously and at regular intervals as you will already feel full due to lack of activity. Also, stick to bottled water and avoid drinking water from unknown sources.
• Motion sickness in pregnancy is common. Keep vomiting bags handy for motion sickness, as buses will generally not stop at random locations. Wear supportive clothing and avoid heavy lifting while handling luggage.

3. Seating Choices: If you can request and get a comfortable seating option, it is ideal to take an aisle seat so that you can move out of your seat without crawling over with too much effort.

• Keep neck and back pillow handy, particularly in case of overnight bus travels, to stay comfortable and avoid straining your body.
• Avoid front and back rows as they are riskier in case of a crash. If you get a chance and find two seats vacant do sit with your legs up to stretch your body.

4. Use The Stopovers:

Every time the bus stops for breaks, take the opportunity to use the restroom facility. Also, consider walking or stretching a little to promote blood circulation and prevent the formation of blood clots (2).

• Sitting for too long can make your body stiff. Changing positions and stretching at breaks can help you relieve the stiffness.
• Do not go alone to restrooms or to stretch your legs. Seek the help of a fellow passenger, or go in a group.

Point to consider

Buses have small restrooms. To maintain balance while using them, hold on to the rail or seats (2).

5. Travel With A Companion: An important tip that goes without saying is to try and travel a long distance with someone and avoid traveling alone.

Image: IStock

• Keep your partner’s and doctor’s numbers on speed dial as emergency contacts so you can contact them immediately in case of any emergency. Travel insurance is another important consideration while traveling during pregnancy.
• If you do decide to travel alone by bus, don’t get tense; take all necessary precautions and listen to some light soothing music to stay calm and relaxed.

Quick tip

During pregnancy, the changing center of gravity increases your risk of falling. So, never try to board or exit a moving bus, no matter how late you are.

Infographic: Traveling By Bus During Pregnancy

Bus travel can be a convenient and cost-effective way to get to your destination while pregnant. Nevertheless, taking extra precautions is vital to ensure your safety, comfort, and well-being during pregnancy. This infographic covers essential things to note before traveling by bus when pregnant. Explore!

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Illustration: Is It Safe To Travel By Bus During Pregnancy?

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

Embarking on a journey while expecting may seem overwhelming, but fear not! Stanford Children’s Health offers invaluable advice in this video to enhance your comfort and safety during pregnancy travels.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Anita GuptaMS

Dr Anita Gupta is currently working in University College of Medical Sciences (Medical School) & Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Delhi. She has been practicing as a gynecologist & obstetrician for the past 31 years and as a lactation consultant for 18 years.

Read full bio of Dr. Anita Gupta

Harshita MakvanaB.Com, PG Dip

Harshita is a graduate in commerce and holds a PG Diploma in Patent and Copyrights Law from NALSAR University. She has also pursued CA and has more than three years of internship experience in auditing. Her love for travelling has taken her to various parts of the world, and writing the travelogues was what brought out her love for content writing.

Read full bio of Harshita Makvana

Rebecca MalachiBSc

Rebecca is a pregnancy writer and editor with a passion for delivering research-based and engaging content in areas of fertility, pregnancy, birth, and post-pregnancy. She did her graduation in Biotechnology and Genetics from Loyola Academy, Osmania University and obtained a certification in ‘Nutrition and Lifestyle in Pregnancy’ from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU).

Read full bio of Rebecca Malachi

Aneesha AmonzMSc

Aneesha holds a Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology from USTM, Meghalaya and Master’s degree in Applied Microbiology from VIT, Vellore. With two years of experience, she has worked on different research projects in the field of Food Sciences.

Read full bio of Aneesha Amonz