6 Traveling Tips While You Pregnant

Travel at the Right Time

The best time for air travel when you're pregnant tends to be during the second trimester, when the risk of miscarriage is significantly lower and most nausea has subsided. Many women do not feel as tired as they did in their first trimester, and they have more stamina during this period of their pregnancy.

Know the Guidelines

Most airlines will not permit pregnant women to travel beyond their 36th week. If you are showing, carry a note from your medical professional stating how far along you are. Cruise ships have individual requirements for how late into a pregnancy a passenger can sail, so check with your cruise line before you make plans. A road trip is safe most any time, but the further along you get, the more uncomfortable a long car ride will be. Plus, if you travel out of state, your insurance company may not cover your baby's birth if you deliver in an out-of-network hospital. Check your insurance's out-of-network policy if you are close to your due date.

Get Comfortable

Select a seat that's on an aisle and close to the front of the plane. Negotiating the narrow aisle to the back of the plane can be challenging, and a seat near the front will make boarding and disembarking easier. It will also allow you easier access to the restroom. Avoid standing in line for prolonged periods of time by checking in online before you even leave the house. When you take a road trip, make frequent stops to use the restroom. During long trips, prop a small pillow behind your back and wear loose clothing.

Stay Healthy and Hydrated

Bring plenty of healthy snack options. Most of the meals served on flights have an incredibly high salt content. If you are already prone to bloating, this can make you even more uncomfortable. Hydrate yourself frequently, and do your best to get up and move around every so often.

Relax and Enjoy the Ride

Pregnancy is an incredible time, and unless your doctor advises against traveling, there should be no reason for you not to venture out and enjoy yourself.

Extra Precautions

Carrying multiples? Most doctors don’t advise air travel beyond 32 weeks for twins, 20 weeks for triplets. If you’re traveling internationally, even for a single-fetus pregnancy, airline restrictions are tighter than for domestic flights; it’s ill-advised to head overseas after your 32nd week. With any lengthy trip, be sure to take short walks every hour or so. At the very least, do your best to flex your calf muscles up and down often to reduce the risk of deep-vein blood clots, known as DVT.