Pregnancy

Altitude during pregnancy: risks and advice

Are you pregnant and planning a trip to the mountains? Here’s everything you need to know about pregnancy and altitude.

Can you go to the mountains while pregnant? And up to what altitude can you go?

Let’s say right away that, in the absence of specific contraindications, pregnant women can easily enjoy a holiday in the mountains, as long as they take some precautions  and do not exceed the  recommended altitudes .

On the other hand, whether it is a day trip, an overnight stay or a stay of several weeks, it is recommended to always consult your doctor  before planning the trip, to receive the most suitable indications for your situation.

Can you go to the mountains while pregnant?

If going to the mountains means practicing activities such as  skiing , climbing and  horse  riding , the answer is naturally no , due to the risk of falls and injuries.

On the contrary, a peaceful  mountain holiday , where you can breathe fresh air, relax and walk in nature, can only be a panacea for expectant mothers . In fact, we remind you that, in the absence of contraindications from the gynecologist, walking is one of the most recommended activities for all nine months of gestation .

That said, if you’re planning a trip to the mountains while pregnant, it’s important to know that there are some precautions you should take , particularly with regards to altitude .

Altitude during pregnancy: what is the limit not to exceed?

For healthy women who have an uncomplicated pregnancy, traveling up to an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level is generally considered safe, as long as the ascent is done gradually to give the body time to adjust.

However, some more “prudent” gynecologists recommend not exceeding an altitude of 1500 metres. In any case, everyone agrees on the need to  avoid covering high gradients in a short time , as happens by taking some cable cars or chair lifts.

The reason is simple: Traveling at high altitudes exposes the body to lower air pressure and reduces blood oxygen levels. As a result, the mother’s and baby’s tissues may not get enough oxygen , a condition known as hypoxia .

For this reason, it is important that the body has the time to acclimatize to the lower quantity of oxygen present in the air, implementing those modifications that will ensure adequate oxygenation (increase in ventilation and maternal cardiac output, with consequent increase in the influx of blood to the placenta).

For the same reason, pregnant women should avoid strenuous activities at high altitudes if not adequately trained and accustomed to the environment.

Altitude sickness in pregnancy (altitude sickness)

Above 2000-2500 meters of altitude , it is possible to suffer from the so-called altitude sickness , better known as altitude sickness .

This condition is not typical of pregnancy, however it can be more problematic for a pregnant woman, because many of the drugs used to treat it are not recommended during pregnancy .

In addition, the symptoms of acute altitude sickness are often mistaken for normal pregnancy-related ailments and can therefore be overlooked, leading to more serious complications.

For this reason, if   one or more of the following symptoms appear within 12 hours of reaching an altitude of 2000 metres:

  • insomnia
  • heachache
  • nausea
  • dizziness
  • shortness of breath

it is recommended to return to a lower altitude and, if the complaints do not disappear,  consult a doctor .

High altitude in pregnancy: the risks

Given the limited data available, it is unclear exactly how high altitude might affect pregnancy. Most of the existing evidence is for women living at high altitudes (between 2000 and 4000 metres) who are at a higher risk of developing  preeclampsia  and having smaller babies than women living at low altitudes.

For women who only take a short trip to the mountains, exposure to high altitudes probably isn’t long enough to have an effect on overall low-risk pregnancy.

However, when the pregnancy is high risk, there is a greater likelihood of complications at high altitudes.

For this reason, for example, high-altitude travel is not recommended for pregnant women who suffered from  hypertension  before becoming pregnant or who have an increased risk of preeclampsia , miscarriage, or fetal underdevelopment .

Women who have persisted in smoking are also  considered to be at high risk and may have more problems at higher altitudes.

In general, it’s important to remember that  expectant mothers with any pre-existing medical conditions should consult their physician before traveling , regardless of destination and anticipated altitude.

Mountains during pregnancy: what precautions to take?

  • Try to choose a destination not too far from health facilities where you can receive assistance in case of need.
  • Bring your pregnancy file with you , with ultrasound scans and tests performed.
  • If you’re planning on a long car ride, choose comfortable, breathable clothing , and plan on frequent stops to stretch your legs.
  • Drink often and plenty . At high altitudes, the hyperventilation brought on by altitude (and pregnancy) and the drier environment increase the need for hydration. But be careful with the water in the streams : even if it seems clean, it could be polluted by the pastures located at higher altitudes.
  • Avoid exposing yourself to the sun during the hottest hours of the day , to prevent any sunstroke or drops in blood pressure.
  • Use adequate  sunscreen to prevent sunburn or the appearance of dark spots on the face (pregnancy chloasma). In fact, remember that the sun’s rays are stronger at high altitudes, due to the thinner air and the reflection of the snow. It is also useful to use sunglasses , hats and long-sleeved clothing.
  • Watch out for the “out of breath! If you are unable to speak normally while walking , slow down or stop to rest.
  • In case of altitude sickness, avoid taking medicines without medical advice : some medicines used to treat this condition (called sulfonamides) are contraindicated in the first trimester and at the end of pregnancy .
  • No to fresh milk and artisanal cheeses : not being pasteurized they can be a source of food poisoning, with potential risks for mother and child.
Dr Kathryn Barlow

Kathryn Barlow is an OB/GYN doctor, which is the medical specialty that deals with the care of women's reproductive health, including pregnancy and childbirth.

Obstetricians provide care to women during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, while gynecologists focus on the health of the female reproductive system, including the ovaries, uterus, vagina, and breasts. OB/GYN doctors are trained to provide medical and surgical care for a wide range of conditions related to women's reproductive health.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *