How to Travel Safely as a Surrogate

surrogate travel during pregnancy

If you’re planning to travel as a surrogate, it’s important to talk to your physician ahead of time to get clearance and discuss at which points things like boarding a flight and being away from your doctor might not be a good idea. However, throughout most of your pregnancy, you’ll likely get the green light to travel freely.

Check Your Contract for Travel Stipulations

California has tremendous laws which can grant the intended parents custody of the baby upon birth and ensure local courts handle any matters regarding the surrogacy. Because of this, intended parents in California have fewer worries about what will happen if their baby is born elsewhere, and surrogates can take comfort in knowing that their California surrogacy contract will be upheld regardless as well. However, usually around the 24th week, a baby born has a fair chance of survival, and it’s quite common for contracts to include rules that say surrogates must stay close to the delivery hospital of choice from this point forward to ensure prompt medical care is available. Though the rules vary for each contract, 50 miles is somewhat standard. For this reason, it’s important to check your contract before you book any travel. If you’re still in the early planning stages and think you may want to travel past the 24-week mark, have a heart-to-heart with the intended parents and include clauses in the contract that may allow additional travel time.

Aim for Weeks 18-24

“The safest time to travel is during your second trimester (18 to 24 weeks) when your risks for miscarriage and preterm labor are lowest,” per Web MD.

Locate Local Hospitals in Advance

Identify which local hospitals will be best if you need assistance during your trip. Take a moment to program their numbers and the number of your OBGYN into your cell phone before departing.

Take Along Copies of Key Documents

If something comes up, it’s helpful to have any relevant medical reports and legal reports with you. That way, if you need to seek medical treatment or something comes up, your team will have the information they need to provide better care.

Book Carefully and Take a Helper

Whenever possible, book yourself an aisle seat to ensure you can get up and move as needed. There will likely be weight restrictions on what you can lift as well, so take long a helper or hire someone to carry your bags for you if they’re heavy.

Keep Vitamins and Medications in Your Purse

Anything that you take daily, whether it’s a prenatal vitamin or prescribed medication, should be kept with you and not in checked baggage. This ensures you’re not without if your bags are lost or delayed by the airline.

Pack Healthy Snacks and Water

It’s difficult to get a healthy snack in an airplane or transit station, so make sure you pack everything you might need. Aim for snacks that are high in protein and keep well, such as nuts or protein bars. If you’re traveling by car, throw a couple of gallons of water in the trunk. You’ll also need to keep a couple bottles on you regardless of how you travel. Staying hydrated will help with a host of issues, from constipation to energy, plus it’s important to help prevent preterm labor, so keep it high on your priority list.

Always Wear a Seatbelt

The seatbelt can feel uncomfortable as your belly grows, but it’s important to wear one whether you’re traveling by land or air. Be sure to keep the lower belt across your upper thighs or below your abdomen to ensure safe travels for baby, and adjust the shoulder strap so it doesn’t run across your tummy. It’s also worth noting that airbags are still safe during a pregnancy, though it’s best to adjust your seat so it’s as far away from the airbag as possible.

Stretch Every One-Two Hours

If you’re on a long trip, get up every couple hours and stretch your legs to avoid developing blood clots and to improve your circulation. You can also use the breaks to hit the restroom, so pressure on your bladder is reduced.

Opt for Trip Insurance

While most pregnancies are straightforward, unforeseen complications can arise at any time. O help reduce your stress, you may want to consider purchasing trip insurance, so you can get a refund and/or take your trip after the baby is born if you can’t do it while pregnant.

Become a Surrogate with EDSI

If you aren’t yet working with an agency, but want to become a surrogate, please review our surrogacy guidelines. We help match surrogates with their ideal intended parents and support everyone through the process, from negotiating contracts all the way through the birth of the baby.  There are lots of people waiting for qualified surrogates, so if you fit the guidelines and feel becoming a surrogate is right for you, please contact us to get started.

 

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