5 Things to Always Remember When Travelling and Pregnant

While pregnancy should never stop you from enjoying your holidays, it’s always helpful to stop and think about how best to handle your condition while away from home.

So, what are five things to remember when you’re travelling and pregnant?

1. Be honest about your limits

While travel has never been easier in terms of handling infrastructure, it is always important to remember that it can be gruelling for even the most able-bodied individual. Excessive walking or travel can put a strain on your body and strip some of the shine off even the most well-planned trip. Packing a well-broken in and comfortable pair of walking shoes is a must, as is choosing luggage or travel gear that is ergonomically designed and easy to carry.

If you are suffering as part of your trip, it is important to speak up about it and seek help. Suffering in silence carries its own risk and it’s better to take a rest day or check in with a doctor than risk inflaming joints or causing complications further down the line.

2. Planning gives you freedom

If you are booking in advance, remember that travel during your first and third trimesters can be a lot more challenging than during months four through to six. Taking the time to organise your travel can help you fit more into your holiday and not have to worry about complications around your pregnancy.

This can include making sure local food options are suitable, that insurance covers key trips and activities, and checking that you know where the nearest medical centre is in case of emergency. While this may sound daunting, taking the time to think about how best to schedule your holiday can make a pleasant trip into a memory you’ll treasure for a lifetime before starting the next chapter of your life.

3. Do less, enjoy more

When it comes to managing your travel while pregnant, it is important to remember that the less time you spend physically travelling, the better it can be. City or resort breaks can let you relax and unwind and minimising multiple-stop travel can help reduce the stress and strain on your body when it’s undergoing dramatic periods of change. If you do need to travel, choosing a location with a strong transport infrastructure and taking the time to plan additional time for journeys can take some of the strain out of your holiday.

4. How will it affect you?

No matter which doctor you ask, they will tell you every pregnancy is different. No-one knows your body like you and planning around unique complications can be helpful. This can involve avoiding sea travel if you suffer from heavy nausea, excessive packing or cramped travel for those with back pains, or ensuring that you bring a travel kit with you if you are at risk of blisters, injury or require specific medications.

5. Prevention is better than cure

Travelers always accrue a number of delays, setbacks, and injuries – knowing when to step and seek help from professionals or others is essential. Short term illnesses may be avoided by adhering to food hygiene rules but if illness, vomiting, or diarrhea lasts for more than a couple of days, be sure to contact your local hospital. This also goes for physical injury, or if you are feeling ‘down’ or unwell. Each pregnancy is a novel experience and anything that feels ‘out of the ordinary’ should always be checked out.