All Policies Include Enhanced COVID-19 Cover
Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30
Coronavirus FAQs
Questions about cover for coronavirus? Read our FAQs and find out what our policies can do for you. If you would like to contact us, please note we are currently only available 09:00 to 17:30 Monday to Friday due to reduced operational capacity. Thank you.
25 November 2013 10:36
Eating plenty of fruit may cut the chances of complications in pregnancy
Eating plenty of fruit before and during pregnancy could help cut women's risk of suffering complications, new research suggests.
The study found a woman's chances of enjoying an fuss-free pregnancy could be boosted by following a healthy diet and maintaining a normal weight and blood pressure.
Researchers believe thousands more women every year could enjoy an uncomplicated pregnancy if their blood pressure was better controlled.
Scientists from King's College London monitored 5,600 first-time mums in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. The women were asked to complete questionnaires about their diets and medical histories; regularly had their blood pressure measured and underwent an ultrasound scan between 19 and 21 weeks of their pregnancy.
The researchers also collected details about the women's babies once they were born.
They found women who had a healthy diet that included eating at least three pieces of fruit a day during the month running up to conception were more likely to be among the 61% who had an uncomplicated pregnancy.
Fewer complications were also found to await women who had normal blood pressure and had a health body mass index (BMI).
The potential for complications during pregnancy is one of the reasons why having a pregnancy travel insurance policy is a must for all travelling mums-to-be. The study found the most common complications facing women during pregnancy are high blood pressure (8%) and pre-eclampsia (5%) while the most common on the babies' side are premature birth (4%) and being small for their gestational age (11%).
The study's authors say more research is needed but estimate more than 24,600 extra women each year could have an uncomplicated pregnancy if their high blood pressure was simply brought under control.
Lead author Dr Lucy Chappell, of the division of women's health at King's, said: "These findings suggest that by leading a healthy lifestyle both before and during pregnancy - including eating lots of fruit and maintaining a healthy BMI - it could be possible for women to increase the likelihood of experiencing an uncomplicated pregnancy."
The study's findings are published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ).
04 January 2021
Head north for a light show like no other. Discover how you can see the Northern Lights for yourself.
[more...]
Discover more about the magnificent waterfall perched on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe.
10 December 2020
Don't sleep on the world's most impressive dormant volcano.
A destination that stands head and shoulders above the rest.
19 November 2020
Take a tour of one of South America's most captivating natural landscapes.
Discover the hidden depths of the world's most recognisable desert gorge.
It's the question on everyone's mind right now - unfortunately, there's still no easy answer...
Discover why planes are more hygienic than you might think.
Dive into Queensland's colourful coral.
02 November 2020
With the global travel industry slowly getting back on its feet, it's a great time for holiday bargain hunters. Here are our top tips for 2021.
Is it possible to fly green? Discover five ways to fly more eco-friendly and reduce the impact of your air travel.
From sustainable architecture to reduced energy consumption, here's how airports around the world are helping to reduce their carbon footprints.