5 of the most important things to keep in mind when travelling and pregnant

Last Updated on December 2, 2018 by Suzy McCullough

Travel is a great thing to do as a family, whether it’s local days out or trips to experience all of the wonders of Venice. There’s something magical about making memories together and getting out and about. However, what about when you’re pregnant? Before your life is turned upside down and your way of travelling changes forever.

There are so many reasons to travel while you’re pregnant, (not least of all because you deserve it), so here are five of the most important things to keep in mind when travelling and pregnant.

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5 of the most important things to keep in mind when travelling and pregnant

Table of Contents

Inappropriate activities

As much as you might like to think that being pregnant won’t stop you from doing things, there are some exceptions where certain activities are just not suitable or safe for mums-to-be. You’re going to have to wave goodbye to roller coasters and theme parks for the next nine months, as well as snowboarding, diving and horseback riding.

Even if you’re not one for extreme sports, you also need to avoid hot tubs and saunas as it is dangerous for the baby to get too warm. There are still plenty of fun things you can do, of course, such as swimming and going on relaxed walks, so don’t be too worried about missing out.

Great destinations

One thing it’s important to consider when choosing a holiday destination is that you probably won’t want to be travelling too far, as a long-haul flight might be quite uncomfortable when you are pregnant.

Another aspect is whether the place you are visiting requires vaccinations, as some of these are not recommended for pregnant women. Be sure to research this or talk to your GP before you book. Instead of a remote destination, choose something like a pamper weekend, a sightseeing city break or even a cruise. Something where you can rest and relax.

Food and drink

Remember that there are lots of foods and drinks you need to avoid in pregnancy, from pate to soft cheeses, and it can be a little more difficult to track these when you are in another country. Be sure that all meat you consume is cooked well, and don’t eat from any dodgy-looking food vans, as the last thing you want is to be sick. Drink plenty of water, but first check that the tap water is safe to drink – otherwise, you will need to buy bottled.

Safety in the sun

You may not know this, but your skin is more sensitive and prone to burning when you’re pregnant, so your usual SPF might not do. Be sure to reapply regularly, especially if you’ve been in the pool, and wear loose-fitting clothing to cover yourself up when going in the sun. Don’t forget to pop on a hat and shades, too.

When to go

The ideal time to travel is in your second trimester, between weeks 14 and 27, as by this time you should hopefully be over any morning sickness and have a little more energy. However, you’ll want to go before the third trimester where your bump will grow exponentially and you might find it a little harder to get around. You can fly until 36 weeks in the third trimester, but from 28 weeks, most airlines will require a letter from your midwife or GP confirming that you are safe to fly.

As long as you consider these five points, there is no reason that you can’t have an amazing holiday while growing a baby. Whether you decide to have a small babymoon or tick some last-minute things off the bucket list, there’s no better time to treat yourself to a trip!