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Traveling During Pregnancy

By Elaine Zwelling, R.N., Ph.D., L.C.C.E., F.A.C.C.E.

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Following a healthful pregnancy diet is also important when traveling. Splurging on delicious treats is always a fun part of a vacation, and that's fine in pregnancy as well ... as long as you remember to also eat the "good" foods that you and your baby need to stay healthy. If your travel takes you to countries where you're not sure about the safety of the water, drink only bottled water or fruit juices. Avoid raw fruits or vegetables as well. Take some healthy snacks with you in case you're not certain of the safety of foods. And remember to pack your prenatal vitamins.

With a little advance planning and some wise precautions, travel during your pregnancy can be safe and enjoyable. Bon voyage!

About the Author: "Teaching pregnant women and their partners has been a highlight of my career," says Elaine Zwelling. "I've loved helping expectant parents enjoy their pregnancy, plan and create a positive birth experience, and then learn about parenting their newborn baby."

Elaine Zwelling, R.N., Ph.D., L.C.C.E., F.A.C.C.E., has been involved in maternal-newborn health care for 38 years. She holds a bachelor's degree in nursing from Capital University and a master's degree in nursing and a Ph.D. in Family Relations and Human Development from Ohio State University. Dr. Zwelling is certified by Lamaze International as a childbirth educator, is a Fellow in the American College of Childbirth Educators, and has taught childbirth classes for 25 years. As the former director and faculty for the Lamaze International Childbirth Educator Certification Program of Florida, she prepared many nurses to become childbirth educators.

Dr. Zwelling was a professor of maternal-newborn nursing for 23 years at both Capital University and Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. At these institutions she taught undergraduate and graduate students and conducted research. For eight years she was a senior consultant with Phillips & Fenwick, a women's health consulting firm in Santa Cruz, California, specializing in helping hospitals implement family-centered maternity care. Currently Dr. Zwelling is a perinatal nurse consultant for Hill-Rom Corp., manufacturers of hospital beds and furniture, for whom she provides clinical education and in-service training for maternity nurses in the southeast region of the United States.

Dr. Zwelling is the co-author of a maternal-newborn nursing textbook, Maternal-Newborn Nursing: Theory and Practice, and has published many professional journal articles related to maternal-newborn health care and childbirth education. She teaches continuing education seminars for childbirth educators and perinatal nurses throughout the country and is a recognized conference presenter.

Dr. Zwelling resides in Sarasota, Florida, and has a grown son, a lovely daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren.

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