Take these steps to have a more carefree vacation
Are you planning a getaway this summer? If so, you may be wondering how you will manage your treatment cycle while you are away from home and your routine.
Many patients ask about traveling while they are undergoing in vitro fertilization. Here are some tips that will help you travel as stress-free as possible so you can enjoy your time away and not worry about compromising your baby-making plans.
Coordinate first with your HRC Fertility team
Let your fertility care team know about your plans. Your doctor or nurse will inform you about the best times to travel during your cycle, any special arrangements you may need to make, such as offsite monitoring, and how to navigate travel, especially if you are flying.
We also can provide you with duplicate prescriptions in case you need additional dosages or lose medications. You may need your insurance company to authorize this.
Prepare for your trip
Whether you are driving or flying, you will want to keep your prescription drugs safe during your journey. Your pre-trip planning should include buying a cooler and ice packs for medications requiring refrigeration. Also bring extra supplies like gauze, alcohol wipes, hand sanitizer, and an appropriate plastic or Sharp’s container for needle disposal. No one wants to take an unexpected trip to the pharmacy while they could be enjoying the sights of their vacation destination.
Flying with fertility medications
If you are flying with injectable fertility medications, you must comply with the Travel Security Administration (TSA) guidelines for travelers with special medical needs. We can provide a note specifying the medicines and supplies the doctor has prescribed. You might also want to contact the airlines to see if they have advice or special requirements.
Ice packs must be frozen, and you should present all medications and accessories in clear plastic bags for screening.
Be aware of health alerts
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) publishes travel health alerts for different areas of the world that you can check before international travel.
The Zika virus is still a threat in many countries, including Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central American countries, and the CDC still does not recommend non-essential travel to those locations.
Hope you have a wonderful vacation. Whether you are going away for a weekend or a couple of weeks, it is always nice to take a mental and physical break from your routine. But rest easy knowing you can stick to your medication and monitoring routines during your vacation sojourn.
References
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/special-procedures
http://www.villagefertilitypharmacy.com/traveling-with-medications