How to travel while pregnant

There is no one more impressive than a pregnant woman. You’re taking care of your family, working, getting chores done AND making a person? There’s truly nothing cooler.

And we especially love jet-setting moms-to-be who are inspired by their pregnancy to travel the world. So, whether you’re going for a babymoon, a work trip, or just caught some plain old wanderlust, here are a few tips that can help you travel comfortable and safely while you’re expecting. 

1. Go on your second trimester

Generally, most medical experts recommend traveling around 24-36 weeks, or the second trimester. This period is ideal because most pregnancy symptoms, like morning sickness and fatigued, have abated. If you have any medical conditions like a higher risk of preterm labor, you should definitely consult with a doctor before doing any kind of travel.

And watch out for some airline regulations – some may need note from doctor if you’re traveling within 30 days of your due date, so make sure to call the airline before you buy your tickets.

2. Don’t go anywhere with malaria or infection risk (Zika Virus)

Avoid any areas with malaria or Zika outbreaks. If you’re not sure if your destination is at risk, you can always check the Center for Disease Control website.

3. Download a bathroom app

You’ll need bathroom breaks a’plenty when you’re traveling while pregnant, so finding a bathroom easily is an absolute must. Thankfully, there are downloadable apps you can take that’ll show you bathroom locations wherever you go.

4. Take things slowly

When you’re traveling as a pregnant lady it’s all about taking it easy. You might be used to sightseeing all day, but when you’re pregnant, it’s best to slow down your trip and get plenty of rest. But it’s not all bad – use it as an opportunity to practice mindfulness and take in the beauty of your destination.

5. Take a walk

…but that doesn’t mean you spend the rest of the trip lying down. In fact, because pregnancy increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis (blood clots), many medical experts recommend that pregnant women walk and stretch their legs regularly. That means frequent stops during road trips and getting up and walking the aisles during plane rides.

6. Choose your seats carefully

To reduce nausea during flights, look for seats that are directly over the wings. And, always sit facing forward in the passenger seat during long car rides.

7. Sweet things

There’s a lot of evidence that ginger is super effective at reducing nausea, so always keep a bag of ginger candies with you in tow! A sweet treat like ginger candy will help quell any queasiness, and it’s just a nice reward for powering through the discomfort of travel.

8. Lap belt

For safety reasons, always keep your lap belt below your belly.

9. Bring prenatal records and medical notes

In case of emergency, always bring your prenatal records, health care information, and medical notes wherever you go. If something happens, you may be taken to a foreign hospital, and it’s important that the medical staff there be able to access your records at a moment’s notice.

Whether you’re planning on international travel or going cross-country, traveling as a pregnant woman can be perfectly safe and totally magical.

And when you do have your little ones, bring them along your next journey with the Doona Car Seat and Stroller, or the Liki Trike, to make your trips easier than ever.

So, safe travels, and Mom-Voyage!