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Medical Video: Healthy Pregnancy 101
Traveling while pregnant can be fun and beneficial. However, just like other tourists, you must ensure that you only drink clean, safe water.
If you are in a developed country like Europe, America or Singapore and Japan, drinking water is generally safe even if it comes from a tap. But if you drink from a tap, let the tap water flow for a few seconds before drinking it or filling it in the bottle. Water is stagnant (water that is in the pipe for some time), is more at risk of containing bacteria that are classified as dangerous.
If you are traveling to a rather remote place in Indonesia, for example to certain islands you are not sure whether the drinking water served is clean and mature drinking water, the best way to ensure safe drinking water is to buy bottled water. Opened bottles should be stored in the refrigerator, and drink after 3 days. Freshly boiled water and drinks made with boiled water are also safe to drink.
Abdominal pain can disturb your vacation. You may feel unwell and have diarrhea and dehydration. Contaminated food or water can cause salmonella diseases and E coli infections, which can be more serious while you are pregnant.
The following are some tips to ensure you stay in good health:
- When buying bottled water, check whether the seal is open. Bottles can be filled with tap water and sold again in bottled bottled water.
- If it is uncertain whether bottled water is safe, buy soda water which is certainly not from the tap.
- If you don't find bottled water, cans or bottles of soft drinks can be an alternative. Check the seal before buying it.
- Don't think that drinking water is safe even though you see local people drink it. Your immune system is different from them in fighting bacteria and viruses.
- Do not drink water with ice cubes because the possibility of ice comes from tap water.
- Avoid foods that may be washed or made with tap water, including fruits (if you don't peel them yourself), raw vegetables, salads, fruit juices and ice cream.
- Use bottled water to gargle when brushing your teeth.
- If you plan to use a chlorine-containing water cleaning tablet, check with your doctor whether the drug is suitable for pregnant women or not.
If you have questions about your destination, contact your general practitioner to get information and advice on how to maintain a healthy body while traveling.
