9 Tips For Train Travel During Pregnancy To A Safe Journey

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Though traveling should be avoided while pregnant, there may be situations and circumstances when you are required to travel. Train travel during pregnancy, in particular, may have an impact on you and your unborn child. Everything you do throughout your pregnancy directly influences your baby in your womb, be it the food you consume, your positive approach, or the way you move and sleep. Although train travel within cities and states throughout the world is one of the most popular and safest modes of transportation, traveling by train might be challenging for pregnant women. So, continue reading to learn about some basic precautions you can take to make train journeys safer for you and your child.

In This Article

Expert Opinion

Women with a history of miscarriage should not travel until they are well into their 5th month.

Image: Shutterstock

So who should avoid travelling by train during their pregnancy?

Women with a history of miscarriage should not attempt any kind of travelling until they are well into their 5th month.
Women with a history of premature delivery should avoid travelling during pregnancy by train in their last couple of months of pregnancy to be safe.
On the other hand, if you are gliding well through your pregnancy and having no complications or troubles whatsoever, there’s no harm travelling, provided you take the necessary precautions.

If you’re concerned, you could always consult your obstetrician and know about the risk factors you may be prone to and then arrive at a decision.

Make Safe Train Travel During Pregnancy

Is it safe to travel by train during pregnancy? Okay, so you’re in a situation where there’s absolutely no way out and you have to travel by train- don’t worry, here we’ve listed down some amazing tips that will help you glide through the journey easily and without any risks to your little baby.

1. Pack Early:

Have everything close to you while you travel.

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Pack all the stuff that you need, from extra clothes, towels, to your medications and other essentials. It is best to have everything close to you while you travel during pregnancy.

Quick tip

Carry your medical records with you. You never know when it might come in handy in an emergency.

2. Be Prepared:

Make sure you carry anti-nausea stuff with you

. This may differ from woman to woman and if you have a special inclination towards that pack of mints or that beauty soap, carry it in your handbag to curb any nausea or morning sickness that you may feel during the travel. Keep your ticket handy and check if the train is on schedule.

3. Doesn’t Lift Heavy Stuff:

Carrying heavy baggage is the last thing you would want during pregnancy. Hire a porter or ask your hubby dear to help you get your luggage on board.

4. Be Early:

It’s best to be there at the station around 10 minutes early.

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Rushing things at the last minute could be stressful and you may hurt yourself in all the hurry. It’s best to be there at the station around 10 minutes early and get yourself to settle down on your seat.

Carolyn, a mom to twin toddlers, recalls her travels during pregnancy in her Summer Winter Mom YouTube channel. She says that she would not recommend pregnant women to board trains at the last minute as it can cause them emotional distress due to their hormones being more elevated than usual. She recalls, “There was just one time where we just about missed one of our train connections in Europe and we ran. We couldn’t find the platform and when we finally did we get in the train in the nick of time, find our seats, sit down, and I just start bawling my eyes out (i).”

5. Carry Pillows:

Obviously, train seats won’t be as comfortable as your bed back at home, but carrying a few supportive pillows may help you get that much needed rest and comfort while traveling.

6. Carry Your Own Food:

Pack some homemade snacks and fresh fruits to munch on during the journey.

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No matter how clean the food may seem packaged food and train food may not exactly be your choice during this crucial stage. Make sure you are carrying some homemade snacks, fresh fruits to munch on and a water bottle during the journey.

7. Remember Your Medications:

Carry all your medications with you in your handbag. It is also a good idea to carry your own filtered drinking water.

8. Get gadget-ready:

Image: Shutterstock

Make sure your cell phone is fully charged before you leave home. If you must, carry an extra battery along in case your battery gets low during the journey.

9. Practice Sensible Travel:

Don’t try to board a moving train. Avoid getting down at the halts unless you’re absolutely sure the halt is going to be more than 10-15 minutes for you to get back into the train safely.

Point to consider

Avoid movement in crowds. If you see people crowding near the entrance or while exiting, it is better to wait until the crowd thins out to avoid accidental bumps to your belly.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it safe to take my baby on a train?

Yes. You may take your baby on a train but ensure you carry all the supplies and
follow all the safety rules and precautions (1).

2. How do I travel with a baby on a train?

Firstly, dress them comfortably and make sure you arrive at the station early to be stress-free and calm. If your baby cries or is cranky, hold them and walk the aisles. More importantly, ensure their food and other essentials are handy (1).

3. Do babies need a car seat on a train?

Yes. You can reserve a seat on the train for your baby and place the car seat on it. Car seats can be helpful for babies, especially if it is a long journey (1).

Experts suggest that women who have had a history of miscarriage or have a history of premature delivery should completely avoid traveling by train during pregnancy. But if you do not have any complications, following a few tips can make the journey easy and comfortable for you and your developing baby. Be prepared, reach the station early, and carry your medications to avoid any discomfort. You should also take your doctor’s approval before traveling to ensure safe travel.

Infographic: Train Travel Safety Tips For Pregnant Women

Train traveling is considered one of the safest modes of transportation during pregnancy due to the allowance of body movements and changing positions, among other benefits. The infographic below provides some useful tips to make the journey more comfortable and safe during pregnancy.

important considerations for traveling in train during pregnancy (infographic)

Key Pointers

Women with a history of miscarriage or preterm delivery should avoid train travel during the first trimester of pregnancy.
With a healthy pregnancy, it is safe to travel in a train by taking all necessary precautions.
It is ideal to avoid eating outside food, carry pillows and medicines, travel light, and avoid crowded places.
Being prepared and taking medical advice before planning the travel can help prevent any undesirable events when pregnant and traveling.

Illustration: Tips For Train Travel During Pregnancy To A Safe Journey

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

Personal Experience: Source

MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.

i. Traveling while pregnant tips and tricks | Twin pregnancy | Pregnant with twins | Pregnant travel;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b139IFWCPoQ

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

Traveling With a Newborn Baby: By Car or Train;
https://winchesterhospital.org/health-library/article?id=598939

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Neha SinghMS OB/GYN

Dr Neha Singh has over eight years of experience as a gynaecologist and more than four years experience as an IVF specialist and endoscopic surgeon. She won an award for her paper on ‘Maternal & Child Health' in UPCOG 2016.

Read full bio of Dr. Neha Singh

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