A Comprehensive Guide To Safe Travel When You Are Pregnant

The short answer is that yes, it's safe to for most women to travel on their pregnancies, but this varies depending on the method of travelling, destinations and personal circumstances.

Whether or not it’ll be safe for you to go overseas will be determined by your doctor or midwife. Depending on your health, your doctor or midwife may advise that it’s safe for you to travel through all three trimesters or they may recommend you stay closer to home.

As well as the guidelines set out by your doctor, your travel options may also be influenced by airlines and cruise lines. These organisations generally have restrictions regarding how far along in your pregnancy you can be while on board.

Furthermore, it’s important to recognise that some travel insurers may also have different restrictions for pregnant travellers. They may provide cover only up to a certain number of weeks of pregnancy, or some may not provide cover for pregnancy at all.

If you get the all-clear from your doctor, planning a trip which aligns with the restrictions of airlines, cruise lines and travel insurers can be safe. With some simple research and preparation, you can plan an enjoyable babymoon to relax before the arrival of your new baby.

If your idea of a great holiday includes zip-lining, skiing, or survivalist camping in the wild, you might want to rethink your plans while you are pregnant. Dialling down the thrill level of your holiday lowers your risk of experiencing an emergency situation.

If you’re a runner, cyclist, or tennis player you may be able to do these activities while you’re pregnant and on holiday. However, you should consult your doctor to confirm this is safe. There are other activities that are best to avoid due to the risk of trauma to your abdomen, falling over or otherwise harming your baby.

Examples include:

• Amusement park rides
• Scuba diving (the bubbles that form in your bloodstream when you move from the high pressure of deeper water to the surface can pose dangers for you and the baby)
• Contact sports
• Downhill skiing
• Gymnastics
• Horseback riding
• Snowboarding
• Surfing
• Water-skiing

You should also avoid hot tubs, spas and saunas because sitting in overheated water can potentially harm your baby.

When planning a trip at any point during your pregnancy it’s important speak to your doctor and ask questions including:

• What destinations should I avoid?
• What activities should I avoid?
• What types of accommodation should I consider?
• What’s the best way to travel at different points in the pregnancy?
• What’s the best type of climate for me at different times during my pregnancy?
• Are there foods or beverages I should avoid?
• What vaccinations should I get?
• What medications are safe to take for common pregnancy ailments such as heartburn, constipation, thrush, food poisoning, or diarrhoea?
• What are complications of pregnancy and what symptoms do I need to watch out for?
• Am I showing any signs of a medical complication?
• What are the signs I might be miscarrying and what should I do if I think this is happening?

Always get your doctor or midwife’s okay before you take a trip. Depending on the point in your pregnancy, they may take an ultrasound to confirm you’re not showing any signs of a complication such as placenta previa.

When you’re doing any type of activity on holiday while pregnant make sure to watch for symptoms which could indicate a problem.

Signs something may be wrong when pregnant:

• Vaginal bleeding
• Preterm labour
• Decreased foetal movement
• Fluid leaking from the vagina
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Calf pain or swelling

If you develop any of these symptoms stop your activity immediately and seek medical attention.

Note that the list above are examples only and isn’t meant to be a complete list of the symptoms you may experience.

After you’ve decided on the destination for your trip, you’ll need to decide what to pack!

Opt for a suitcase or luggage that you can easily wheel to the gate to minimise unnecessary lifting or straining. While the specifics of your clothing will be influenced by where you’re going, your clothing priority should always be comfortable.

Make sure to pack:

• Flat, comfortable shoes.
• Breathable clothing with a relaxed fit that won’t bind you, even if you’re not wearing maternity clothes yet.
• Underwear that fits your growing body.
• Long, loose tops.
• Compression socks that can help relieve any swelling in your legs and prevent blood clots or deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
• A bump band that can help you expand the waist of jeans or other pants

It’s a good idea to take a folder with all your documentation.

• Medical contact information.
• A letter from your doctor saying you’re fit to travel, as your airline or cruise line might require it.
• A list of any medications or prescriptions.
• Your travel insurance certificate and emergency assistance contact information.

Even if you already have what you need in your phone, having a hard copy makes this information readily available to others travelling with you or if your phone is lost or runs out of battery.

Prescription medications:

Double check you have enough for your entire trip plus a few extra in case you’re delayed arriving home or can’t make it to your doctor when you get back. Also make sure you carry the prescription for all of them.

Non-prescription medication:

Any other creams or medications you’re using or taking such as tablets for heartburn or reflux.

Foods:

Some foods can help medical conditions. Dry crackers are a great snack to keep on hand throughout pregnancy and can serve as an aid to nausea. Other anti-nausea aids include peppermint tea, ginger, lollies or a small stash of almonds.

Given the airline restrictions about carrying quantities of liquids, consider medications in tablet form where possible. For example, chewy tablets instead of liquid heart burn medications.

Taking a cruise while pregnant sounds like the ultimate relaxing experience at a time when you’re probably feeling fatigued. You can explore exotic locations while enjoying the on-board food, entertainment and ocean views. However, as with any form of travel, a cruise is not completely without its own set of risks.

There are a number of potential risks that come with cruising while pregnant. These include:

Diseases:

Sickness can spread easily in the confined quarters of a cruise ship. You can minimise risks by carefully maintaining your own hygiene, but there’s always the risk of becoming sick from someone else, like picking up a gastric virus from the buffet.

Injuries:

Slips and falls are common injuries on a cruise, especially around pool areas and lower decks. Be aware that the salt and sea spray can make stairs extra slippery so always use handrails and watch your step.

Limited medical assistance:

Your cruise ship might not have the provisions to properly deal with medical emergencies related to pregnancy. You can enquire before you travel about what medical services can be provided on board the ship.

Choose the right cabin:

If you stay in a cabin at the centre of the ship you’re less likely to feel seasick. If you’re further away from the kitchens and bars, you’re also more likely to have a better night’s sleep!

Booking a room with a window or balcony will also help you feel less confined and allow fresh air and natural light into your room to combat claustrophobia.

Get a comfortable bed:

Ensure you have a good night’s sleep by asking for extra pillows or bring your own.

Think carefully about shore excursions:

Some shore excursions may not be suitable for you, such as scuba diving or hiking.

To help prevent seasickness or lessen the severity of the symptoms, you can:

• Request a lower level cabin near the centre of the ship where there’s less movement.
• Come prepared with anti-nausea aids. The ship might have some kind of saltine or soda crackers which can help, but you should also consider taking medications or natural remedies that your doctor has approved.
• Get accustomed to the boat’s motion by gazing at the sea. Sit down facing the direction you’re travelling.
• When you first board, opt for more leisurely and relaxing activities rather than the organised activities that may make you feel seasick.
• Mind what you eat at the buffet. If you eat too much, or eat rich foods, you may regret it later. Opt for small frequent visits to the buffet rather than overeating in one sitting.

Your doctor is not the only one who might limit your ability to fly at certain times in your pregnancy, as airlines have different rules too. After 28 weeks, most airlines require a letter from your doctor saying that you’re fit to fly. After 36 weeks, airlines usually won’t let you fly. Make sure to check the guidelines of your airline.

• Some airlines will permit flying through to the end of your pregnancy for urgent medical or compassionate reasons, but only with the approval of their own medical advisors, as well as your doctor.
• Regulations can vary based on the length of the flight. Some airlines will let you fly until the end of the 40th week of pregnancy with a single birth, or 36th week for multiples on flights of less than four hours. For flights of five hours, they may only allow travel up until the end of the 36th week for single babies or the 32th week with multiples.
• If you have recently had a miscarriage, your airline may request a letter from your doctor that states it’s safe for you to fly.
• If you’re flying internationally, you may need to contact the embassy or consulate in some countries due to their regulations for pregnant non-national women. For example, you may be refused entry into the United States of America if a Customs and Border Protection officer determines you’re likely to become a ward of the state (because you don’t have medical coverage).

• If you choose to fly during pregnancy, there are several things you can do to make yourself more comfortable during the flight and to reduce health risks.
• Request an aisle seat so you can easily access the restroom and be able to get up and walk during the flight without bothering other passengers.
• Make it known to reservation staff when you check in that you’re pregnant and you’d like a seat with a little extra space and leg room if possible. It can’t hurt to ask and you never know, you may end up with a free upgrade. 
• Always wear your seatbelt and properly fasten it across the thighs and below your growing abdomen. Your flight attendant can provide you with a seatbelt extender if the standard one doesn’t fit correctly.
• Either walk up and down the aisle to promote circulation or at least flex and extend your ankles if you have to sit through most of the flight.
• Dress comfortably in non-restrictive clothing, and consider wearing compression stockings to help prevent blood clots.
• Drink plenty of fluid to offset low humidity in the cabin.
• Avoid gassy foods and drinks such as broccoli and carbonated beverages, as trapped gas can cause discomfort at higher altitudes.

As your pregnancy progresses, you may become more uncomfortable as your body gets bigger to make room for your baby. Fortunately, you can take some steps to lessen the effects of many sources of discomfort:

Morning sickness:

You can fight this nauseous feeling that’s most often experienced during the first trimester with saltine or soda crackers, peppermint tea, ginger, lollies, an antacid product such as Rennie or Gaviscon or a small stash of almonds. These remedies can help to calm acid reflux as well.

Swollen ankles:

Your growing abdomen puts pressure on your legs, ankles, and feet. Avoid staying on your feet for long periods of time, and when you’re sleeping, lie on your left side to take pressure off the interior vena cava (largest vein in the human body). However, this doesn’t mean you can avoid exercise, as exercising can prevent leg cramps. You may find that swimming and walking provides temporary relief from swelling. The good news is you have a legitimate reason to indulge in extra foot massages!

Leg cramps:

Try to exercise your legs while travelling, whether this means getting up and walking up and down the aisles in a plane or making frequent stops during car trips. To help prevent blood clots, consider wearing support stockings or compression socks.

Heartburn:

Especially after 30 weeks, you may experience a rush of digestive acids splashing into your oesophagus and causing irritation and burning. To minimize heartburn, avoid spicy foods, red meat, chocolate, greasy foods and large quantities of citrus. Also follow some behavioural tips like eating smaller regular meals, drinking liquids before and after (but not during) your meal, wearing comfortable loose clothing and sitting up straight. Avoid lying down for an hour after you eat, and sleep with your head and shoulders propped up on pillows to help keep the acid low.

Frequent urination:

You’ll feel the need to go to the bathroom frequently during your pregnancy, especially in the first and third trimester when hormones send more blood to your pelvic area and the baby puts pressure on your bladder. Staying hydrated and drinking fluids is important during pregnancy but to prevent frequent urination at night, reduce the amount of fluid you drink late in the day. Also, reduce or skip diuretics like coffee, tea and soft drinks. Otherwise, go with the flow and plan ahead for frequent bathroom stops wherever you are.

Choosing a Safe Travel Destination

Wondering whether it’s safe to travel to certain areas of the world?

Visit Smartraveller and Health.gov.au. Also view health advisories from the Australian government.

Thinking of travelling while pregnant to a developing country? This guide from InterHealth Worldwide offers some useful tips.

Videos to watch:

TRAVELING WHILE PREGNANT | Baby Steps: Cullen & Katie: Watch one couple do it!

Travel In Pregnancy: For advice on travelling by car and plane

Information on Vaccinations:

• Vaccinehub
• Vaccines.gov 
• Web MD 
• Immunize.org 

Travel Insurance for Pregnancy:

This handy comparison by Finder will show you what’s available from different companies.