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What to expect when traveling in each trimester of pregnancy

So you're pregnant? Congrats! It's an exciting time but also one in which many aspects of your life will begin to change, including travel. While you'll quickly need to understand the airline industry's rules for flying while pregnant , there are some more personal tips I'd like to share with you based on my experience traveling throughout the first, second and third trimesters of both of my pregnancies.

A few truths about pregnancy

Picky, starving moms need to travel with snacks.

I didn't know I was pregnant when I took the first flight of my second pregnancy. I was on a mileage run from Houston to Los Angeles, and by the time we landed, I was super tired, kinda grumpy and oh-my-so-hungry.

Then began a mad search for food. Luckily, Counter Burger was open and serving up sweet potato fries and burgers. Out of habit, I went for the veggie burger but I quickly regretted my decision, which left me far from satisfied with ground-up veggie mush.

In the early stages of pregnancy, your normal travel habits of going a little hungry for a while, or making due with what's around, may not work well.

Throughout your pregnancy, travel with water to stay hydrated and snacks to stave off hunger pangs and keep you going through travel delays. If you're feeling particularly food sensitive, research the food options at your destination ahead of time. I virtually lived on chicken noodle soup for a whole week early in my pregnancy and then, for a couple of days, all I wanted were hush puppies. I know how to get those items at home but when you are on the road, you either need to do more research or be more flexible -- which is sometimes easier said than done.

Related: 4 tips for planning travel while planning a pregnancy

Research and make choices about inflight radiation and other risks

I'm not an expert, but because I fly often, I have given some thought to inflight radiation exposure , especially during the early stages of pregnancy.

For pregnant flight attendants and pilots, the Federal Aviation Administration recommends a limit of 1 mSv during pregnancy, with no more than 0.5 mSv per month. I don't fly as much as an airline employee, but it doesn't take much research to learn that the amount of radiation you (and your gestating baby) are exposed to in the air varies dramatically from route to route. The highest-level routes are typically longer, higher-altitude polar routes. Here's some information from NASA about polar flights and radiation .

Every expectant mother should discuss the risks of flying during pregnancy with her doctor before getting on a plane. For me, nine months was a tiny moment in my traveling life, so I was OK adjusting my behavior a bit out of an abundance of caution. However, I didn't adjust to the point of never leaving my house. We still flew when I was pregnant, but I was judicious about when and where I would fly.

Check your health insurance policy

If you aren't familiar with your medical insurance coverage for when you travel, brush up on those facts now. Look at in-network and out-of-network benefits, as well as coverage for procedures for medical emergencies in other countries, if relevant. Most likely, if you do have coverage for treatment in other countries, you will still be on the hook to pay for your care up front and then submit for reimbursement from your health insurer. Plan accordingly and plan for the unexpected. If your baby decides to arrive early, for instance, check to make sure your insurance would cover possible extended and expensive care in an intensive care unit in a hospital away from your home.

Be sure to check what your health insurance coverage provides if you deliver at another facility later in your pregnancy. I once had an insurance plan that specifically did not cover out-of-network deliveries after 36 weeks, so that is something you would want to know before venturing away from home late in pregnancy.

Consider travel insurance

Trip insurance can be helpful if you are traveling while pregnant. Read the plan's fine print to determine what might be covered and whether you are covered if you already knew you were pregnant when you purchased the plan. Typically, a normal pregnancy or normal delivery would not be covered but if there are unexpected complications with the pregnancy, then related trip-cancellation or trip-interruption coverage may kick in on certain plans in certain situations.

Here are some travel insurance providers to check out: Allianz Travel Insurance, Travel Guard and Travelex Insurance . You can also compare a variety of plans at a portal like SquareMouth .

Here are some articles that will help you brush up on your travel insurance knowledge:

• The best travel insurance policies and providers
• What is independent travel insurance and when is it worth it?
• When to buy travel insurance versus when to rely on credit card protections
• Is credit card travel insurance sufficient on its own?
• Why I buy travel insurance

Traveling in the first trimester

Traveling in the first trimester can range from "no big deal" to "I think I'm going to die from misery right this very instant." Symptoms in early pregnancy can vary widely and can change by the day. A flight in your first trimester may be no different from any other flight you've ever taken or it may feel like you are flying with the worst hangover of your life.

Unless you are very high risk or have other extenuating medical issues, your doctor will probably give you the green light to travel in early pregnancy. Feeling extra tired, nauseous and queasy doesn't make for the perfect travel experience, so here are some tips to make travel easier:

Pick an aisle seat and move about the cabin

When you do hit the skies early on, choose a seat where you will be the most comfortable, likely an aisle seat so you can get to the restroom easily. I also recommend getting up to walk around and stretch your legs. (Here are tips for credit cards that will defeat basic economy and let you get a seat assignment in advance.)

Room service come to the rescue

In my first trimester of my second pregnancy, I went on a trip with my daughter and parents to New York City to see the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and I was met with another challenge. I was at the point in my pregnancy when I needed food immediately upon waking or I was going to get queasy. Since I was staying in a hotel room with my young daughter, this meant room service. I also had granola bars and fruit on hand, but that was not enough to really do the trick some mornings. Had my husband been there, he could have gone in search of a warm bagel and juice, but since he wasn't on this trip, we had to improvise. Thanks goodness Marriott elite status helped defray the cost of most of the breakfast!

Take it easy when you need to

Once you are further along in your pregnancy and you actually look pregnant, you will sometimes get a little sympathy or, at least, empathy while traveling. Strangers may offer to help with your bag and people may have more patience with you if you're moving slowly. However, in the first trimester nobody can tell you are pregnant, and no one is going to feel sorry for you. If you act queasy on the plane, you will pretty much be treated like you have Ebola, and any other issue or ailment will pretty much not interest anyone. I once told the flight attendant I was pregnant when she was giving me the eye about looking queasy.

Take care of yourself, don't overdo it and know when to say enough is enough. You may be used to very busy travel days, but now find yourself needing a nap during your first trimester, and that's OK. Listen to your body and adjust accordingly.

Traveling in the second trimester

You have probably heard that the second trimester is generally the easiest of the three trimesters for most expecting moms. You usually aren't as sick and or as tired as in the first trimester, and you aren't as large, uncomfortable and exhausted as in the third trimester. From roughly weeks 13 to 27 of a pregnancy, your activity and comfort levels are often good, and this means that it can be a great time to travel. Couples that like to take "babymoons" (one last couples trip before the baby arrives) often try to schedule them in the second trimester.

Related: The best babymoon destinations for every month of the year

The beginning and end of the second trimester are quite different

You will probably enter the second trimester not really looking pregnant, and end it looking quite different. This means that you may feel very different at the beginning and end of the second trimester. The second trimester is when lots of belly growing happens and this can mean that some types of travel will be more uncomfortable toward the end of these few months of pregnancy than at the beginning.

Consider where you are comfortable traveling

A very personal and important decision to make during the second trimester is to determine if there are certain restrictions you will place on yourself in terms of where you're comfortable traveling. Some types of travel will ban women from traveling during the second trimester. For example, many cruise lines will not allow a woman to book a cruise if she will enter her 24th week of pregnancy (or later) while on the voyage.

Royal Caribbean's policy bars pregnant women from sailing at and after the 24th week. It was developed in concert with the Cruise Lines International Association endorsement of the American College of Emergency Physicians Health Care Guidelines for Cruise Ship Medical Facilities .

Many consider unborn fetuses to be viable if born beginning around 24 weeks (though that age threshold is getting earlier and earlier). This means that a baby born at 24 weeks gestation would have anywhere from a 50% to 70% chance of survival outside the womb if (and only if) there is immediate access to advanced medical care. A cruise ship clearly doesn't have an advanced neonatal care unit on board, so presumably the policy is related to why cruise lines draw the line for pregnant passengers.

I personally draw the line for travel at 23 or 24 weeks when talking about destinations that don't have the same level of advanced medical care as the United States -- or long flights or a flight path that could hinder prompt access to advanced medical care if I happened to unexpectedly go into labor. The Maldives is an example of somewhere I would not want to travel in this instance because there would be significant delays in obtaining medical care on these remote islands.

Plan big, but not too big

The second trimester is a great time to squeeze in a pre-baby trip or two since you will probably feel relatively like to your pre-pregnant self much of the time. We went to Aruba when I was 14 weeks pregnant and it was a fantastic trip. I had lots of energy and a normal appetite. Flying was not uncomfortable because my belly was still pretty small and the only real adjustment was to make sure I had a somewhat larger bathing suit before the trip.

At 23 weeks, I traveled to Spain and still felt pretty energetic and "normal." I will admit that the flight in economy wasn't super comfortable since I did have a belly that was hindering curling up in positions that usually help me sleep on the plane, but our time on the ground in Spain wasn't really impacted at all by the pregnancy other than missing out on the Spanish wine.

The great thing about both of those trips was that they were at my own pace. This meant that if I didn't feel like doing much one afternoon, I could take it easy. Even though you may feel great in the second trimester, you can still tire more quickly than normal, so be sure to limit your vacation activities to those you can manage. There are also activities that some doctors might advise against by the second trimester like thrill rides, scuba diving or horseback riding, so double-check any restrictions before planning more adventurous outings.

Traveling in the third trimester

Pregnancy isn't an illness or disease. For many families, it's just a normal phase in a woman's life before a new baby joins the family. Assuming things are going well, it's not a time when you have to cancel all travel. However, once the third trimester rolls around, travel can get a more complicated and does eventually have to stop.

The beginning and end of the third trimester are quite different

Changes come even more quickly in the third trimester. You enter the third trimester about 28 weeks pregnant and end it with a newborn. This means that types of travel that are possible at 27 and 28 weeks pregnant may be inadvisable, or even prohibited, at 37 and 38 weeks pregnant.

Select destinations and activities carefully

In the final months of pregnancy, some activities are probably going to be more comfortable and enjoyable than others. For example, swimming and spa time may be exactly what you need.

I give strong preference to visiting beach and resort destinations in the final trimester. Trust me when I say that few activities are as comfortable in the third trimester as floating in the water! We went to The Phoenician (a Marriott property) in Scottsdale, Arizona, when I was about 31 weeks pregnant and even with my big belly, it was the perfect mix of spa, swimming and fun activities for our 5 year old before both our lives changed.

You are going to get uncomfortable

Maybe this isn't universal and there are some magical creatures out there who never feel uncomfortable during pregnancy, but every mom I know eventually hit a point in her pregnancy when she wasn't comfortable. For many, this means that sitting for an extended time in a small airline seat, standing in long lines or trekking around in the heat to explore a city all day eventually become pretty miserable activities.

No one can tell you when you will hit that point, but it will likely happen in the third trimester. For me, my back started giving me a bunch of trouble at around week 30 or 31. I was incredibly grateful there were no more flights scheduled during that pregnancy beyond that point.

If you are going to fly during the later weeks of your third trimester and have the ability to secure a more comfortable seat up front, or at least one with extra legroom so you can stretch out, it may well be a good investment in your comfort. I brought a tennis ball with me when I flew so I could give myself a bit of a "back massage" against the airplane seat.

Bring your own pillows

Sleep becomes a challenge in the third trimester for many women and a pillow fort of sorts becomes a necessity to get some good shut-eye. Many pregnant moms find that using some sort of body pillow or pillow arrangement helps to keep their bellies supported and comfortable at night. You can't assume that the hotel will have similar pillows, so bring your own if they become essential to good rest in your third trimester. I had no shame in hauling my pillow fort with me on our last road trip at eight months pregnant.

See if you are allowed to fly

Even if your doctor OKs it, many airlines have rules about women flying in the third trimester. Check out airline rules for traveling while pregnant for complete details, but generally speaking, most U.S. airlines don't have many flight restrictions until the last month of pregnancy. However, many international airlines do have restrictions and documentation requirements beginning at 28 weeks. If you are pregnant with more than one baby, the restrictions kick in even earlier.

Decide when to stop traveling

I'm all for traveling while pregnant but, realistically, most women will want to stop traveling at some point in the third trimester. I would imagine by about 36 or 37 weeks, most women will probably decide to stay closer to home. I went on a road trip about three hours from home at 35 weeks and then called it quits for the rest of the pregnancy. There's still a whole new world of travel waiting once a new baby joins the family .

Bottom line

There is usually no reason to stop traveling when you're expecting. During my last pregnancy, I went on 12 trips, 28 flights, visited four countries and I'm very glad I had the opportunity to stay that active. I'm also glad that I grounded myself from flight after 31 weeks and from road trips at 35 weeks because those were the right decisions for my comfort level.

• teamthomastravels
• Jul 27, 2023
• 11 min read

Travelling in early pregnancy: top tips for a first trimester holiday from a pregnant travel blogger

First of all, congratulations! If you're reading this blog you've most likely found out that you're newly pregnant, which is so exciting. While this amazing new adventure certainly brings its own challenges, it doesn't mean that your life has to change, and that includes travelling. Whether you already had a trip planned and you're worried about if you should still go now that you're pregnant, or you've planned a mini break to celebrate your good news, we've got lots of helpful tips and information to help you survive and thrive while travelling in your first trimester.

David and I are currently 22 weeks pregnant and so far baby boy has been on 2 flights to Madeira and France, plus long road trips to Scotland and Wales - I promise it can be done safely and enjoyably with a few simple tweaks and precautions. In this blog, we'll focus on travelling in the first trimester, or up until week 14 of your pregnancy.

NB - we are not medically trained and every pregnancy is different, so the tips in this blog comes entirely from my own experiences of travelling while pregnant. If you have any specific concerns regarding your own pregnancy, complications and travel, please discuss these with and seek advice from your midwife, OBGYN or he a lthc a re provider for specific medical answers before your trip, especially if you're traveling to a place with different healthcare facilities to those at home or traveling long distances.

Can you fly while pregnant? Do I need any paperwork?

The good news is you can definitely fly while pregnant! Well, for most of your pregnancy. Double check with who you're flying with, but the general rule seems to be that most airlines will allo w you to fly all the way up to 36 weeks, or 32 weeks if you're having twins, providing you're having a low risk pregnancy. If you're 28 weeks or more, your airline will require a certificate or letter from your midwife confirming that the pregnancy is progressing normally, that there are no complications and the expected date of delivery.

Can I tr avel by ferry or train while pregnant?

Ferry companies like Brittany Ferries will allow you to sail up until 32 weeks but Cruise ships are stricter, with a cut off at the end of your 23rd week! The Eurostar h as no limits on pregnant passengers at all, but we'd recommend coming back by week 37, just in case baby decides to make a move!

Is it safe to travel in the first trimester?

With a few simple tweaks, there is no reason why you can't enjoy a safe holiday in early pregnancy. The scary numbers online will tell you that statistically the first 12 weeks are the riskiest in terms of chance of miscarriage, but the vast vast majority of these early losses are down to chromosomal/medical reasons rather than anything you could prevent. The radiation we all experience any time we fly is sufficiently low that it won't affect baby, and while you don't want to be getting food poisoning, doing high impact/dangerous activities that might risk you falling or over exerting yourself, rest assured that flying, sailing and walking don't pose a threat to your tiny baby. Just maybe save the bungee jumping, hot tubs and jet skiing for a future trip...

Do I need to declare my pregnancy on my travel insurance?

No. Providing there are no complications, price comparison websites such as Compare the Market and Go Compare state that you don't need to declare pregnancy as a pre-existing condition on your travel insurance. Obviously always read the small print before purchasing a policy and if you're a UK/EU citizen travelling in Europe we'd also recommend getting a Global Health Insurance Card (the new post Brexit EHIC) as well. It's free and entitles you to treatment in state hospitals at the same price as the residents of the country you're visiting, including emergency treatment, visits to A&E and routine maternity care, unless you're going abroad to give birth. We've also shown ours at doctors surgeries abroad (hello tonsillitis in Paris and Bruges...) and the card helps to cover the smaller fees that your travel insurance excess wouldn't, like prescriptions and GP appointments. Obviously this doesn't replace your travel insurance, which is essential!

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of travelling in your first trimester:

Let's take a quick look at some of the benefits of travelling in your first trimester, as well as some of the early pregnancy symptoms that might negatively affect your holiday. I'll be honest, I felt pretty ropey for the first 2 months of my pregnancy (much preferred travelling in the second trimester), but there are definitely some perks to a first trimester trip.

No big bump! Make the most of being able to climb steps, bend over and get up out of a deckchair without a big bump getting in the way and pulling you off balance! You'll also most likely be able to dodge shelling out on a maternity wardrobe - At 13 weeks I was barely showing, and so apart from a couple of pairs of shorts that were too tight and a bikini top that was getting precarious, I could pack all of my usual t-shirts, sundresses and swimmies. This also means if you haven't told many people about your pregnancy, you'll most likely get away with taking holiday snaps that won't attract curious questions.

No paperwork/restrictions. Like we said earlier, travelling earlier in your pregnancy means that unless you have any pre existing concerns with your pregnancy, you won't need to worry about cut off dates for travelling or needing that midwife certificate for trips after 28 weeks .

It's a lovely distraction. Let's face it, if you're feeling knackered and poorly lying on a shady sun lounger at the pool or the beach is much nicer than being on the sofa at home feeling sorry for yourself.

Needing the loo more often. With baby tucked down in your pelvis in early pregnancy, constant weeing seems to become a fact of life as they lean on your bladder. If you're on a road trip, plan your route with regular rest stops and if you're flying, try to get an aisle seat for easier access to the restroom and so you c an easily walk up and down to stretch your legs if you want to.

Tiredness. One of my m ain early pregnancy symptoms was extreme tiredness. I could have napped for England! Help yourself by only doing one or two activities per day, with a decant lunch break in between or even time back at the hotel for a lie down/nap. I liked planning a day with sightseeing/walks in the morning to beat the heat, followed by an afternoon doing something more restful like relaxing on the beach or by the pool.

Food aversions/cravings. Maybe you've gone off fish or can't stand anything sweet, or maybe all you can think about is McDonalds or apples - pregnancy does weird things to our appetites! Now is probably not the time for trying unusual local delicacies, so be prepared to seek out smaller, more simple portions. I also found that eating dinner later than about 7pm made me feel incredibly bloated and nauseous, so if this is you, plan your day around wrapping up a little earlier so you can eat before it gets too late. With regards to cravings, if there is a brand of biscuits or crisps that you can't live without currently (Lidl's own brand Hoola Hoops for me), or that really help with your morning sickness, be sure to pack enough for your trip in case the local equivalent doesn't cut it.

No alcohol. Despite well meaning friends and relatives insisting that the occasional drink during pregnancy is ok, here in the UK, current NHS advice is that if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant you should not drink any alcohol at all. I have given up drinking completely until baby arrives in November (Christmas might be messy!) and while this meant no sunny poolside cocktails or glass of wine with dinner, I really enjoyed the fresh juices and mocktails available in Madeira. Put a slice of lime in your cranberry juice and you can almost convince yourself it's a woowoo...

Hip pain. Oh god this got me so badly between weeks 7-10 - even walking a mile or so was agony, like the wo rst groin strain ever! In early pregnancy, your body starts to produce a hormone called relaxin which, as its name suggests, relaxes the ligaments in the pelvis in preparation for childbirth. This also means it's really easy to over extend and pull muscles, which is what happened to me. Luckily this wore off in time for my hiking holiday, but if it's something you're suffering from by the time your departure date arrives, you'll thank yourself for planning a more restful itinerary instead of pounding pavements all day while city sightseeing or doing that 10 mile hike.

Nausea/bloating/constipation. Some early pregnancy symptoms can leave you feeling pretty gross. Along with morning sickness (which should be renamed as it turned up all day for me), hormones like progesterone and relaxin make your digestive system sluggish, leading to bloating and everyone's favourite travel affliction, constipation. To help yourself out, drink lots of water, try to include wholegrains and veggies in your diet (I know, I know, those beige carbs are just so good in those first few weeks...) avoid spicy foods and onions which tend to bloat you and stick to smaller, simpler portions.

7 top tips for travelling in your first trimester:

1. Slow your pace.

When I was 13 weeks pregnant we went on a hiking holiday to Madeira which had been booked before I knew I was pregnant. Initially our plans were to walk round the entire circumference of the island, carrying our backpacks and staying in accommodation as we went, but once we found out about the baby, we adapted our itinerary to be less intense. Fortunately Madeira is a small island, only around 35 miles long and 14 miles wide, so we based ourselves in one spot, hired a car and drove to all the trailheads for the routes we wanted to hike. We also limited ourselves to one hike per day, starting early and finishing by the afternoon so that we could spend the 2nd half of the day relaxing.

2. Be prepared to not be up to your usual fitness levels

Something that really surprised me in early pregnancy was how quickly I would feel exhausted while hiking. We're typically very active and love getting outdoors, but after a relatively sedentary first 8 weeks of pregnancy (thanks morning sickness...), my fitness was through the floor! I found that my heart rate went from normal to pounding very easily when walking up hill, so take lots of rests , drink lots of water and avoid hikes marked as strenuous, even if that's what you're used to.

On Madeira we did the famous PR1 hike from Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo and it was TOUGH!! PR1 is a stunning 14km hike connecting two of the highest peaks on Madeira, but it has some very intense prolonged climbs and descents and I really struggled on parts of it. I'm gl ad I did it but w ith hindsight, maybe it was too hard a hike for me at 13 weeks pregnant. Hiking poles will be your friends in pregnancy!

Your blood pressure will be all over the place in early pregnancy so pack plenty of snacks, water and stop often to rest and drink.

3. Watch out for sunburn!

Pregnancy makes your skin super sensitive and you are much more likely to burn, so slather on that factor 50, wear a big hat and try to keep out of the sun at its peak.

4. Overheating.

Fluids fluids fluids! I found myself getting too hot very easily in my first trimester and raising your core temperature can be dangerous for growing babies. Where possible, stay out of the sun when it's at its hottest, wear cool clothes, make use of swimming pools, shady brollies, cool drinks and air conditioning! If you're travelling to a hot country be sure to take it easy and avoid over exerting yourself.

5. F ood precautions a nd caffeine.

While you're pregnant, you'll want to avoid any foods that might cause food poisoning or contain toxoplasmosis or listeria which could h arm your developing baby . This includes fish that has been smoked but not cooked like smoked salmon, sushi and raw shellfish , p ate, uncooked cured me a ts like chorizo, salami, pepperoni a nd p a rm a h a m, s oft cheeses with a soft white rind ( brie, camembert, taleggio ) and soft blue cheeses ( gorgonzola, dolcelatte, Danish blue ). You'll also want to dodge Shark, swordfish and marlin because of their high mercury content, and liver products like sausage, pâté and haggis because of their high vitamin A content.

Make sure that any meat you order (steaks, burgers, poultry, pork etc) is cooked well done due to the risk of toxoplasmosis-carrying parasites, and watch your caffeine levels! Current NHS pregnancy advice is no more than 200mg of caffeine per day, which is the equivalent of 2 mugs of instant coffee or 2 cups of tea plus a can of coke. Don't forget that chocolate also contains caffeine! I've taken decaf tea bags with me on all my pregnant trips in case I'm craving a cuppa and can't find them abroad!

6. P ack light.

You'll want to avoid overexerting yourself in pregnancy, so don't overload yourself with heavy suitcases or an overly full rucksack. That pesky relaxin makes your ligaments looser and less stable, so you're more likely to overbalance, pull muscles or strain your back. When you're out and about try to avoid lugging too much stuff around in your day bag, or at least enlist your travel partner/companions to help- I usually stuck to just my camera and water bottle and David carried the snacks, guidebook, tripod and beach gear.

7. Be aware of the Zika virus.

Zika virus is spread by infected mosquitos and while symptoms are typically mild in adults, it can be very dangerous for unborn babies, especially in early pregnancy. Zika can be passed from mother to foetus and can cause some very serious birth defects like microencephaly. While mosquitos in the UK don't carry the Zika virus, it can be found in parts of:

South and Central America

the Caribbean

the Pacific islands

including popular holiday destinations like Aruba, the Bahamas, Fiji, Indonesia, the Maldives, Mexico, Thailand and Vietnam. As there is no vaccine or antiviral available to prevent catching the Zika virus, current medical recommendations are to postpone travelling to any countries or regions where Zika is known to be .

What to pack for a first trimester trip:

A ny antenatal notes you might have, the contact details for your doctor/early pregnancy unit at home and your travel insurance.

Loose fitting clothes or comfy layers with stretch - floaty, flowing clothes will help with heat in warmer climates and keep you comfortable if you're bloated after eating. I know I personally couldn't stand tight waistbands after meals or while sitting down. If you're travelling to a colder climate, wearing comfy stretchy layers will keep you cosy without feeling overwhelmed and sick.

Sturdy, comfortable footwear - comfy trainers or decent walking shoes/boots are a must for travel in early pregnancy. We swear by Uin Footwear for their travel shoes, like walking on a cloud!

DVT socks for long haul flights - as my midwife likes to remind me, pregnancy is a thrombotic condition and even in early pregnancy you're at an increased risk of blood clots. Wearing compression stockings or flight socks on a flight of 4+ hours can help reduce your risk of developing Deep Vein Thrombosis, as can walking up and down the aisle.

Hat - as we already said, avoiding sunburn and overheating in your first trimester is important. Choose a wide brimmed hat to keep the sun off your face, neck and shoulders - I wear this one from Mountain Warehouse which has added protective 50+ UPF to block radiation from the sun. You could also take a handbag sized UPF umbrella like this colourful one sold by Stick and Cane Shop to give yourself even more shade.

Suncream - pregnant skin burns more easily so pack plenty of factor 50!

Snacks - comforting ones from home like crisps and biscuits along with healthier choices like nuts and wholegrain/cereal bars.

Your pregnancy supplements.

Rennies/Gaviscon for heartburn

Sea bands for nausea - These stretchy acupressure wristbands are miraculous. I packed mine for a whale watching cruise , but also often ended up just wearing them when I was out and about - they really do help with general nausea!

Things that have been helping you at home with nausea like ginger chews or lemon hard boiled sweets.

Hand sanitiser to lessen the chance of any tummy bugs.

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• Pregnant Travel
• First trimester travel

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Traveling while Pregnant | First Trimester Tips

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Home » Traveling while Pregnant | First Trimester Tips

There seems to be a common myth that once you fall pregnant, life-as-you-know-it seizes to exist. 

Things change, sacrifices need to be made and you have to ‘play’ it safe.  I’m here to let you know that traveling while pregnant does not HAVE to be one of those sacrifices! 

Yes, you might have to travel in a safer and more responsible manner, but traveling pregnant is definitely possible!

Already a mother of two, I guess my firstborn had been a traveler right from the first few weeks of growth in my belly! We actually happened to be on a trip overseas to South Africa (Cape Town is actually one of the best places to travel while pregnant ) when I found out that I was pregnant.

So there was no thinking or consulting with a doctor before I flew. There was no weighing up the risks versus the benefits, it was just how it was.

I had to make the 20+ hour flight back home to Australia in my first trimester, and whilst it was not fun feeling nauseous most of the time, both I and bub survived the journey with no issue at all.

With baby number 3 on the way, we already had a trip booked to Tasmania before we conceived. As our trip was just a domestic 2.5-hour flight away, it didn’t even cross my mind that I ‘shouldn’t’ do it. If you are feeling a bit skeptical about whether you can fly in the first trimester, domestic is a great way to go about it!

I have a secret though …. shhhhhhh!! The trip, even though it was Tasmania and close to home, was probably one of my least enjoyable ever. Why? Because the trip did not ‘allow’ for a pregnant, tired, and sick lady.

It wasn’t due to the destination though, but more because of the itinerary (that I was responsible for designing). So I have some valuable tips to share, so you can make the right choice of travel destination for you and your body and your baby.

Common Firs t Tri mester Symptoms & How They Affect Your Pregnancy Travels

The fact of the matter is, each person experiences their first trimester of pregnancy very differently from the next.  You can’t really predict how you will feel, and as a result, if it is at all possible, it will probably be best to wait until you are actually pregnant before you decide to go traveling in your first trimester. 

See how you experience the first trimester symptoms …. if you are going to vomit throughout most of the day, maybe staying home with regular trips to the toilet, might be the only ‘trip’ you get.  So below, for those new to the pregnancy game are your typical pregnancy symptoms and tips I can give you in regards to traveling with them.

Nausea, with or without vomiting, is a common complaint for first trimester pregnant ladies.  My nausea levels were constant 24/7 but I was pretty fortunate that I was never a ‘vomiter’ with any of my pregnancies.   Whilst I was not vomiting, being constantly nauseous for approximately 13 weeks on end can leave you feeling pretty drained and miserable.

My Travelling when Pregnant Tips for dealing with nausea:

Clothes: I found that wearing loose-fitting clothes was a more comfortable way to go.  Nothing like tight clothes around a belly that isn’t feeling totally right!

On a plane: Make sure you sit in an aisle seat, just for in case you need to bolt for the bathroom.

In a car: Make sure you are comfortable, take a little pillow if you want, and make sure you have snacks and plenty of water on hand.  Smaller meals and regular snacks will generally ‘sit’ better with your nausea than your normal big meals.

Natural nausea-ease: Ginger will be your friend to help tackle nausea in a natural way.  I’m not a fan of ginger at all, but had a few packets of the crystalized ginger on hand to munch away on!

I think fatigue was my arch-enemy on our trip to Tasmania.  Because our holiday was designed as a road trip, I thought  I would be able to relax in the car and all would be okay.  Boy was I wrong!  Driving for 4 hours every day truly drained me beyond coping levels.

My Travel during Pregnant Tips for dealing with Fatigue are:

Go at a Slow Pace:  Make sure you design a holiday where you can rest and relax!  Having a bed close by to disappear to for a midday nap might come in very handy.  I sure wished I had one close by on our road trip!

Ask for a Quiet Room:  Make sure to ask your hotel for a quiet room.  Sometimes this means being in the ‘back’ of the hotel, usually, it means going for a room on a higher level if you are staying in a multi-story resort.  Getting quality sleep is a pretty hard task to master whilst pregnant in your first and last trimester.  You will most likely wake up frequently to pee.  You will probably roll around a lot.  So ensuring you are in the right spot for the best sleep you can muster will be important!

Take some really comfy flats to travel with:  Leave the uncomfy shoes behind, you want to take shoes that will allow you to be comfortable whilst you explore.  You can read our guide to the comfiest women’s flats here.

Heightened Sense of Smell

Another change in your body that I know has affected plenty of pregnant traveling ladies is the fact that your senses will go on fire!  Touch on your body, that is undergoing constant change, might feel different!  Taste buds change and you might find yourself struggling to stomach foods that you used to love before!  The one though that I have heard affect travel experiences the most is your sense of smell!

My Travel while Pregnant Tips for dealing with sensitive smell:

Think about your destination, and if it is one that you know will have a smell very different to where you live, think twice about whether it is the right destination for first trimester travel.   Some cities simply don’t smell that great, and if your smell is on superpower strength, plus you are trying to deal with nausea, the combination might have a very negative effect on your experience of your destination.

10 Things to Take into Consideration when Traveling while Pregnant

1.  It is important to check in with your doctor or obstetrician before booking your holiday.  Listen to their concerns, because they will most likely have some.  Do remember though that it is their job to caution you against travelling when pregnant in order to forego any possible legal actions against them if something goes wrong.  Remember you are an adult, and while it is important to take their recommendations seriously, you are free to choose what is best for you and your baby.

2.  If your destination requires you to have vaccinations, you might not be able to go as live-vaccines are not allowed during pregnancy.  If possible before trying to conceive, get your vaccines up to date!

3.  Going to destinations where Malaria is a major risk might not be advisable.  As far as I’ve been told by my doctor, none of the anti-malaria tablets are ‘A’ grade safe for pregnant ladies.  Of course you can take other precautions such as DEET and staying indoors at dusk and dawn, but if you love to have the precaution factor of a prophylaxis, this is something to be aware of.

4.  If you are travelling to a country other than your own, do ensure you take out travel insurance that covers pregnancies.

5.  Again, if you are flying during your first trimester,  I recommend you make a list of some great hospitals that you will feel comfortable with if anything does happen on your travels.  Best to be prepared I say!

6.  It is recommended that pregnant women avoid altitudes above 3,658 metres; so leave those destinations located at high altitude for another day.

7.  Travellers’ diarrhoea can cause miscarriages in the early stages of your pregnancy when the embryo is still developing.  Now is not the time to try all the local specialities.  Play it safe and stay away from street food and food that has a reputation of causing upset traveller’s bellies.  Or best yet, pick a destination that you know your stomach can deal with.

8.  Stay away from activities that are too adventurous, you know the ones.  If ever a thought crosses your mind whether what you are about to do is safe for the baby, best to skip the activity and go relax next to the pool or go for a hike instead.

9.  Take a medical kit, your doctor can help subscribe pregnancy-safe medication that you can take along as precaution.

10.  If hiking is on the agenda, take a good supportive bra!  You will most likely find that even in the first trimester you will need to upgrade your bra size.  Your breasts will most likely be aching and be super sensitive, so having good support will go a long way through keeping you comfortable with some travel related activities.

They say that travelling in second trimester is the best time to travel.  I have two trips planned for my second trimester of pregnancy, one local and one international.  So I will check back in with you all to let you know how I go!

Life ‘as you know it’ does not have to come to an end just because you are ‘cooking’ new life inside of you!  But if you are worried, best to plan some sort of little escapes close to home or take the domestic option.  Go slow!!  And choose holiday destinations that are relaxing.   Best of luck to you all!  If you do happen to go travelling while pregnant, please let us know where you went and what tips you might have for other pregnant ladies?  Thanks!!

Jolene Ejmont

2 thoughts on “traveling while pregnant | first trimester tips”.

Great article Jolene, full of interesting and highly relevant information. Though I never had the chance to travel while I was pregnant, I did move house during each of my first three pregnancies (one particular long distance move from Southern NSW to North Qld) and a number of your tips are highly relevant to that situation as well.

Thanks Grace!! Yes moving while pregnant (I did that when pregnant with Katie) is a mission and a half too!

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Is It Safe to Fly During the First Trimester?

With the proper precautions, flying during the first trimester of pregnancy is safe. Here's what you should know about air travel during early pregnancy.

• Myths About Pregnancy and Air Travel

Tips for Flying During Early Pregnancy

The bottom line.

If you're currently pregnant, planning to be, or just curious, it's possible you've wondered about whether or not it's safe to fly during the first trimester. After all, the first three months of pregnancy are crucial, and most instances of pregnancy loss occur during the first trimester, so it's understandable to have questions or concerns about air travel during that time.

However, the good news is that air travel during the first trimester is generally considered safe. Ahead, learn more about flying during early pregnancy, what experts have to say about precautions, and tips for having a safe flight during the first trimester.

Common Myths About Pregnancy and Air Travel

The first trimester is actually an especially low-risk time to travel during pregnancy . Contrary to popular belief, noise vibration, cosmic radiation, and cabin pressure create no increased risks for the pregnant air traveler. And if you were concerned that security equipment could radiate or somehow hurt your baby, set those fears aside. "Metal detectors are not a risk to the baby," says Raul Artal, M.D., vice chairman of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) committee on obstetric practice.

That being said, it's still a good idea to chat with an OB-GYN or health care provider before you schedule your babymoon or any work trips during the first trimester. A health care professional can give you specific, individualized advice, based on your needs and unique pregnancy journey.

Below are a few more travel tips for the first trimester.

Check your health before you go

Travel isn't recommended for those with high-risk pregnancy conditions (hypertension, sickle-cell disease, history of premature labor, placental abnormalities such as placenta previa, etc.) Pregnant people with preexisting medical conditions (like heart disease) should also check with a health care provider before flying.

Move around

One issue of concern for all air passengers—pregnant or not—is the formation of blood clots, or thrombosis, especially during long flights. Pregnant travelers should take special precautions to minimize risks, like wearing support stockings and/or moving your lower extremities every half-hour or so. "Wiggle your toes," Dr. Artal suggests, "Move your legs around, and take a stroll up the cabin every once in a while."

Book a comfortable seat

The aisle seat will make it easier to get up frequently for restroom trips or walking through the cabin. The bulkhead seats, which are located right behind a dividing wall between cabins, tend to have the most legroom. If you're concerned about a bumpy ride, try choosing a seat over a wing, which will give you the smoothest flight.

Make sure you buckle up, keeping the seatbelt low on the hips and under the belly. Flying can be unpredictable when it comes to severe turbulence, which can cause injury. Therefore, it is wise to buckle up and remain buckled while seated throughout the entire flight.

Stay hydrated

The cabin of an aircraft has low humidity, which can cause anyone to have a dry nose and throat. Make sure to drink water throughout the flight to avoid dehydration .

Prevent air sickness

Morning sickness and fatigue often kick in around seven to eight weeks of pregnancy . Ask a health care provider for tips to help with nausea, and inquire about safe anti-nausea medication to take with you, just in case.

Don't drink or eat gas-producing items

Try to avoid consuming food and drinks that are known to cause gas (such as beans, cruciferous vegetables, and carbonated beverages) before or during your flight. Entrapped gas expands at higher altitudes and can give you a stomachache.

Prepare for digestion problems

You may want to ask a health care provider about diarrhea medications or remedies that are safe to use during pregnancy, especially if you are traveling internationally, which can elevate the risk of exposure to bacteria that can cause diarrhea.

Consider updating your vaccinations

Depending on where your final destination is, you may be required to be vaccinated against certain diseases, especially if you're traveling internationally. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers a travel vaccine and medication guide that covers travel-related diseases you can be inoculated against from food-borne illnesses to influenza.

Always tell a health care provider about your plans before booking your trip. Depending on your travel plans, you may need to pre-book a prenatal appointment at your destination. Educate yourself on hospitals located near where you will be staying while traveling, and purchase travel insurance.

Check on travel advisories

Before flying anywhere , it is worth checking for any health or travel advisories that could pose a risk to pregnant travelers. The CDC compiles up-to-date data on travel health advisories as well as other safety information for countries around the globe. You can easily look up your destination and check to make sure that there are not any health alerts that could put you or your pregnancy at risk.

Ultimately, flying during the first trimester of pregnancy is considered safe for many people. However, those with pre-existing medical conditions or high-risk pregnancies might be advised to skip air travel during those early weeks. When in doubt, be sure to consult with an OB-GYN or health care provider. Together, you can determine the right course of action and travel plans for you.

ACOG. Early Pregnancy Loss .

ACOG. Air Travel During Pregnancy .

Csorba R, Tsikouras P. Air travel during pregnancy . Hippokratia. 2017 Jan-Mar;21(1):62. PMID: 29904265; PMCID: PMC5997026.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pregnant? Don't Overlook Blood Clots .

Related Articles

What It’s Like To Travel During First Trimester of Your Pregnancy

Now that the secret is out I am excited to share a bit about what I’ve learned from traveling while pregnant the last few months. I want to share because when I was googling I didn’t find close to enough on the subject. In some ways, it’s the same as travel used to be, but in many ways, it’s pretty different to travel during first trimester.

By the end of this pregnancy I will have (hopefully) traveled during all three trimesters, so I suppose this is part one of a three-part series. (See Part 2 and Part 3 Here) When I was 12 weeks pregnant, in February, I went on a work assignment to Iceland . I was pretty nervous. I was only just starting to feel human again after several months of feeling completely crappy (seriously, early pregnancy felt just like when I had Mono senior year of high school). But this assignment was too good to pass up and truthfully I was dying to see Iceland again , so I decided to power through. Here is what I learned for you guys:

What It’s Like To Travel During First Trimester

Important Caveat : If there is one thing I’ve learned from pregnancy it’s that every single woman’s body is completely and utterly different. I also have fortunately have had a healthy, very low-risk pregnancy. My experience may not be your experience, but hopefully, it can at least give you an idea of what to expect. As always, you should talk to your doctor about any special concerns you might have.

Destination Matters

Your first trimester of pregnancy can be pretty scary because you have a higher chance of miscarriage through those first few months. As a result, you may want to choose your destination carefully – you will want to have easy access to a hospital in case god forbid, something happens. It’s not really the time to go wandering off in the Amazon or visit a remote tiny island.

Which isn’t to say you absolutely can’t. Look at my friend Nellie who traveled all through Central Asia, walked the Camino de Santiago and camped in Mongolia while pregnant (of course, she didn’t know she was pregnant at the time). For every rule, someone is the exception.

Of course, if I had full choice, I’m not sure I would have gone with Iceland during a time I had to miss out on the amazing hot springs, but at least I’d been to the Blue Lagoon previously.

Long Flights seem Even Longer

Flying is pretty uncomfortable in the best of times, so of course, it’s even worse when you travel during first trimester. The flight to Iceland was a solid 8 hours, and even though IcelandAir boosted me up to Economy Plus (thank goodness) it felt epically long.

TIP : Get an aisle seat. Pregnant ladies are at a higher risk for blood clots so it’s important to get up and move every hour or so. Luckily you will probably have to pee every hour or so anyways so that’s the perfect excuse. My OB told me not to bother with compression socks but do whatever makes you comfortable.

TIP : Bring snacks! When a pregnant lady is hungry it’s a serious emergency. Don’t leave yourself at the mercy of inflight meals; pack lots of snacks for yourself just in case. I brought string cheese, granola bars, chocolate and a couple other goodies and kept them in my bag all trip long just in case the hunger pangs hit.

Jet Lag is a Real Bitch

The worst part of the first trimester (for me anyways) was the bone shattering tiredness that made it feel impossible to do much of anything. Although that had started to clear by week 12, jet lag definitely compounded the feeling, causing me to doze off all over the place. Give yourself a break and try to opt for an easier itinerary with lots of potential nap breaks.

The lag was even worse when I got home, knocking me flat on the couch for several days. If you travel during first trimester of your pregnancy definitely schedule yourself a cushion for recovery time.

TIP : Allow yourself the caffeine if you need it. My doctor told me 200-300 mg of caffeine a day is fine. That’s several cups of coffee or tea that can make all the difference in actually being alert enough to enjoy your day. This is obviously a personal choice, but my feeling is that when you travel during first trimester it is no time to try to be a hero.

TIP : Drink tons of water. Pregnant women are already supposed to consume 64 oz of water a day, but during travel, I would try to up that. Flying is dehydrating. Jetlag is dehydrating. You’ve got some compensating to do.

Drink a ton of water the day before your flight (and avoid salty snacks). Bring your own water bottle and refill it every chance you get for maximum hydration. Remember that the caffeine I mentioned above can be dehydrating so chase your coffee with water.

Your Diet Will Change

Everyone knows that one of the hardest parts of the first trimester is morning sickness. I got off relatively easy- no puking for this girl, but I did have a lot of aversions to things I typically love, like most red meat and a lot of vegetables. When you couple this with the list of off-limit food items that every preggo gets to know by heart, menu options can feel pretty limited.

Somewhat luckily for me, Icelandic cuisine isn’t really my favorite, to begin with. I wasn’t too bummed to miss out on the smoked lamb, or the ubiquitous hotdogs (both pregnancy no-nos). Other stuff was harder, like the gorgeous local steak that I had to order ( sigh ) well done.

TIP : Let people know what’s going on. Normally people try to keep their pregnancy a secret during the first trimester, but I think it’s okay to have looser lips when you travel during first trimester. One night my hosts took me to a restaurant known for its craft cocktails. It was definitely a bummer to sip my plain water when everyone else had fancy drinks. Luckily my companions knew what was up and asked the bartender to make me a custom mocktail, which definitely cheered me up!

TIP : Go easy on yourself. My biggest suggestion is to just let yourself off the hook. Maybe you’re not going to eat as locally as you might like, but that’s okay this time around. If like me, you just want to order avocado toast for lunch every day, just do it. If you’re craving ice cream even though it’s 10 degrees outside… well who is going to tell a pregnant lady no?

It’s Still Doable

Yes, pregnancy is a huge, life-altering event, but man, pregnancy is long. You have to get on with your life even while you’re growing a baby. For a lot of people that means still traveling – either for business or pleasure. While the first trimester isn’t the easiest or most enjoyable time to be traveling, it’s certainly doable. I think it’s important to know yourself and your limits and to give yourself the slack you need.

In the end, I was really glad I went to Iceland, but also really happy when it was time to come home. I’m happy that I went at the tail end of my first trimester when my symptoms weren’t quite as severe as they had been even a couple weeks previously.

The best part of my trip was on the last day when I browsed the shops in downtown Reykjavik and picked out a children’s book for my soon-to-be baby. A memento of the first trip we ever took together.

Read on to see how travel during my second trimester and third trimester went as well!

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12 thoughts on “What It’s Like To Travel During First Trimester of Your Pregnancy”

Thank you so much for this article. I’m 9 weeks pregnant and just returned from a work conference on the other side of the world (14 hour time difference). The tiredness and food hassles were my main issues. But I also told a few work colleagues at the conference and this was super helpful! Thanks for sharing your experience. I’m glad I went, but gosh it was tiring.

Great article, thanks! I’m going to Iceland next month, if all goes to plan I’ll be 11 weeks. Can I ask if you travelled around to any of the more remote areas, or just stayed near Reyjavik? I’m just a little bit worried about access to medical care if anything goes wrong.

Going in thw geothermal spas and hot pools are fine as you stay hydrated. Icelandic women all do it and babies are fine!

If I were in the same position again I would probably go for it. Oh well!

Thank you for posting. I’m in my first trimester as well, and am leaving for Iceland in two weeks (I’ll be there for weeks 10 & 11). From the pictures and menus I’ve seen it looks like they eat a lot of deli-style meats. Did you find this as well? If so, do they have similar concerns about Listeria there, so we should avoid it? Thank you! P.S. I loved your article and was doing fine until your last line about the book for your baby as a memento of your first trip together – then I lost it. Such a sweet idea. ❤

They eat a lot of smoked meat, which is a listeria no no. I avoided it, partly b/c I think smoked lamb is really really gross. Deli meat is fine as long as it’s served hot so when in doubt just have them heat it up I think.

Congrats! And thanks for showing you don’t have to stop exploring the world with a baby on the way. Traveling during pregnancy is perfectly fine – as long as you listen to your body. My parents traveled all over Europe and Asia while my mom was pregnant with me, and that was almost 26 years ago. Thanks to her, I think I caught the travel bug before I was even born! 🙂

I’m glad you didn’t suffer from any morning sickness! Really interesting post, thanks for sharing.

Happy travels 🙂

Apparently it’s genetic- my mom never had it either.

Great advice Steph. I travelled all through my (healthy) pregnancies and you really just have to make a few small tweaks to make travelling while pregnant work. 🙂

I found your articles really helpful!

You’re so right – there is next to no information about this online! I’m so glad I’m growing up in a generation of women who are taking their lives and decisions into their own hands and still finding ways to live out multiple dreams at the same time! Good luck with the next few months, can’t wait to hear about the next adventure!

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