What are complications of pregnancy?

Complications of pregnancy include various problems that you may face while pregnant, and they are covered in standard travel insurance policies with Columbus Direct. These include 

• Toxaemia
• Gestational hypertension
• Pre-eclampsia
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Hydatidiform mole (molar pregnancy)
• Post-partum haemorrhage
• Retained placenta membrane
• Placental abruption
• Hyperemesis gravidarum
• Placenta praevia
• Stillbirths
• Miscarriage
• Medically necessary emergency Caesarean section
• Medically necessary termination
• Any premature births more than 8 weeks (or 16 weeks in the case of a known multiple pregnancy) prior to the expected delivery date.

The opportunity to take a year out to go traveling around the world, or navigate up the Amazon for six months, doesn’t come around every day. It’s something to snatch up with gusto when it’s offered to you. Embrace the opportunity and see the world, just do it safely. Make sure that you’ve got a back up. Take us with you and you can travel with assurance, knowing we’re with you if you need us.

When can you travel during pregnancy and is it safe?

You can travel during any stage of your pregnancy, although there are various recommendations of when it is best to fly. Airlines have the right to prevent you from flying if they determine that you are at risk, while medical professionals might also advise you against travelling depending on your medical circumstances.

The NHS says that many woman choose not to travel during the first couple of months because of nausea and vomiting during the early stages. The risk of miscarriage is also higher during the first 3 months of pregnancy, whether you are travelling or not. The NHS advice also highlights that many women prefer to travel between 4-6 months of pregnancy, as this is typically when you have the least discomfort and may not feel as tired as the later stages.

The Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (RCOG) advises that the safest time to fly is before 37 weeks, as you could go into labour after this. If you are carrying twins, then you are advised not to travel after you reach 32 weeks.

You are free to travel while pregnant, even during the later stages, but as mentioned above some airlines and cruises have their own restrictions for pregnant travellers because of health and safety requirements.

We advise you to check with your travel provider ahead of booking the trip to ensure that there won’t be any problems. In most cases airlines won’t allow you to fly when you are more than 36 weeks pregnant as you are then at a higher a risk of going into labour.

Your midwife and medical practitioner should also be informed of your travel plans so that they can advise if they are concerned of any possible complications.

You could have a higher risk of getting deep vein thrombosis (DVT) if you fly while pregnant. To avoid blood clots, the NHS advises drinking plenty of water and moving about regularly during the flight.

You would also need to be careful with vaccines ahead of your trip and should speak to your GP to find out about the risks and whether certain vaccinations are worth taking.

Can I get cancellation cover if I am pregnant?

We offer cancellation cover if you or a travelling companion discover that you’re pregnant after the date that the policy is issued or after the date that the trip was booked, whichever was the latter, and are advised by a medical practitioner not to travel. You will only be protected under our cancellation cover if the holiday return date is within 12 weeks of the expected delivery date (16 weeks for a multiple birth) or if there are unexpected complications with the pregnancy

If you decide that for other reasons related to your pregnancy you would prefer to cancel your trip, it is worth speaking to your airline or tour operator and explaining the situation as these reasons wouldn’t be covered under a travel insurance policy.