If you’re asking, ‘Is it safe to travel during pregnancy?’ the answer is yes, as long as you take a few precautions and plan for it.
Travelling when pregnant can be an interesting learning curve, especially when it’s your first baby. If you’re asking, “Is it safe to travel during pregnancy?” the answer is yes, as long as you take a few precautions and plan for it.
Travel for pregnant ladies can be easy enough and shouldn’t impact your holiday too much, but there are also a few important rules to keep in mind if you travel during pregnancy.
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Table of Contents
Pre-plan for pregnancy travel
Pre-planning any holiday is a sensible thing to do, but pre-planning for pregnancy travel is absolutely necessary.
Depending on your travel destination, you’ll need to look into vaccinations. Most which use live vaccines or bacteria is not recommended in pregnancy (for obvious reasons), but always make sure to check with your GP prior to booking.
It’s also worth checking for any recent disease outbreaks at your chosen destination before entering those credit card details on the booking site, just in case, and you’ll also need to consider travel and medical insurance options.
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Choose a suitable destination
When deciding on a destination, you’ll want to consider things such as, how much will you be moving around and what the day-to-day itinerary entails.
Is it a beach holiday, where you can be glued to the sun lounger from dawn until dusk, or is it a city break, where there’ll be lots of sightseeing and things to do?
Fresh air and gentle exercise are great for wellness in both mind and body during pregnancy, but you don’t want to overdo it, after all.
Most people on a babymoon enjoy a full-on relaxation mode destination. Taking time to just relax for a week or so in the sunshine with a mocktail in hand can be just what you need for some serious R&R prior to the birth.
On the other hand, if city sights are more your thing, that can be just as relaxing for some.
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Select the right trimester
Can pregnant women fly? Well, when it comes to trimesters, the third is the only one where it’s not always recommended to fly, mainly after 37 weeks.
If you’re considering air travel during pregnancy, you should know that many airlines will ask for a letter from a medical professional after 28 weeks, confirming you’re not at any risk before flying.
Any time before then is usually considered perfectly safe for flying when pregnant. The only thing you need to focus on is your comfort throughout travelling and the flight itself.
It’s worth pointing out the further on in your pregnancy, the more tired you’re likely to feel; another factor in deciding which trimester to travel within.
If you’re reclining on a Caribbean beach, it’s probably not a problem, but if you’re going to be up and about it might have an impact on your activities.
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Food and drink
One of the best things about travelling is being able to sample all the delicious local food and drink, and this shouldn’t have to change during pregnancy. You just need to remember to be cautious when it comes to particular foods.
Firstly, avoid tap water, and opt for bottled water instead. It’s worth avoiding ice, too, depending on the country. Or you can buy and add your own ice if you know it has come from a bottle.
Raw foods are a no-no and don’t risk any foods which could be served undercooked, seafood and sushi for example.
Staying hydrated in the heat is vital during any stage of your pregnancy, so make sure you drink plenty of water throughout the day.
It’ll also help you from feeling too tired in the heat. And, above all, remember to keep eating fresh, healthy food, and enjoy yourself above everything else!
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Stay active
Holidays are for relaxing and taking time out from hectic everyday life, but that’s not to say you can’t stay active with some gentle exercise at the same time. And when abroad, there are so many options for keeping in shape.
Obviously the most popular will be swimming (bonus if you have a beautiful beach at your hotel doorstep).
Alternatively, you can choose from jogging, cycling, prenatal yoga, or simply just wandering around exploring your destination.
Remember it’s also fine to feel tired during the day, especially if you’ve been partaking in some light exercise.
Your partner will completely understand if you need to take time out and just rest for an hour or so before dinner.
