travel after pregnancy

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Traveling while pregnant: Your complete guide

Unless you're nearing your due date or have certain complications, your healthcare provider will generally give you the green light for pregnancy travel. Here's how to safely explore – plus what to consider before making plans.

Is traveling while pregnant safe?

When to avoid pregnancy travel, when is the best time to travel while you're pregnant , can pregnant women travel during covid, when should you stop traveling while pregnant, your pregnancy travel checklist, when to call your doctor while traveling.

Yes, it's generally safe to travel during pregnancy as long as you're not too close to your due date and you're not experiencing any serious pregnancy complications. There are special precautions to take, of course, and you may find yourself stopping to use the bathroom more than you're used to, but that babymoon can be within reach.

Before you pack your suitcase, talk with your healthcare provider to make sure it’s safe for you to travel and that your destination is a good choice. You'll want to avoid places where infectious diseases are prevalent (or there are high outbreaks of Zika or malaria, for example). The COVID-19 pandemic has made people reconsider where they feel safe traveling as well; if you're fully vaccinated, the CDC says you can travel Opens a new window , but it's always best to check with your doctor first.

And bear in mind that the activities you take part in might be different than normal – you'll want to skip the Scuba diving lessons, for example (though snorkeling is okay!).

It's safe to fly when you're pregnant as well, and most airlines will allow you to fly domestically until about 36 weeks of pregnancy. International routes may have different rules, so be sure to check with your airline before booking anything. Your doctor will tell you to avoid flying, however, if you have a health concern that might require emergency care or any other health conditions that aren’t well controlled.

It's best to avoid traveling while pregnant if you have any health conditions that can be life-threatening to both you or your baby. If you have any of the following conditions, your doctor will almost certainly advise you against travel:

• Placental abruption  
• Preeclampsia
• You're in preterm or active labor
• Cervical insufficiency  (incompetent cervix)
• Premature rupture of membranes (PROM)
• A suspected ectopic pregnancy
• Vaginal bleeding

You might also need to be extra-cautious or skip travel if you're experiencing intrauterine growth restriction , you have placenta previa , or you have other conditions that may place your pregnancy at a higher risk. It’s always a good idea to discuss your concerns with your healthcare provider before travel regarding any medical conditions you have, and they'll be able to advise you on what's best, depending on the trip.

The sweet spot for pregnancy travel is during your second trimester , between 14 weeks and 27 weeks. By the second trimester, any struggles you’ve had with morning sickness and fatigue during the earlier weeks of pregnancy should have hopefully subsided – and after 12 weeks, your risk of miscarriage decreases significantly as well. And you're not too far along to worry about third trimester exhaustion or going into preterm labor yet, either.

Your energy levels are likely to be good during your second trimester too (bring on the sightseeing!), and it will still be relatively easy and comfortable for you to travel and move around at this time. Keep in mind that once you hit that third trimester, pregnancy travel might be more difficult as you find it harder to move around and stay still for long periods of time.

It's complicated (and often a personal decision based on your own risk factors), but the CDC says that if you're fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you can travel. Of course, it's important you still do everything you can to keep yourself and others around you safe, including following all mask-wearing and social distancing guidelines in the destination you visit.

Women are at an increased risk for severe illness if they contract COVID-19 while pregnant , and they're more likely to experience preterm birth and other poor pregnancy outcomes. (This is why the CDC, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine all recommend that women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or are planning on becoming pregnant get the COVID vaccine .)

If you're vaccinated and decide to travel, the CDC advises avoiding international destinations that are designated Level 4, due to high rates of local COVID-19 transmission.

Take all this information into account and talk to your doctor before you decide on where and when to travel while you're pregnant. And if you experience any symptoms of COVID-19, whether while traveling or at home, call your healthcare provider as soon as possible.

The guidelines for when to stop traveling while you're pregnant vary based on your mode of travel, but more or less, you should wrap up travel before you're 36 weeks pregnant.

Most airlines will let pregnant women fly domestically until they're 36 weeks pregnant – and many cut that off earlier for international travel. This rule is often enforced on an honor system policy, but some airlines may ask for a doctor’s note – so make sure you have that from your healthcare provider if you're traveling in the third trimester, just in case.

Most cruise ships don't allow travel after 24 weeks of pregnancy. Some cruise lines' cutoff dates vary, so verify policies before booking a cruise.

As for road trips, there's no official deadline for when you need to stop traveling, but your personal comfort level (physically and emotionally) – and your doctor's advice – might help you decide. You can drive while pregnant all the way up until your due date, but things may get considerably less comfortable on longer trips as you approach full term.  

Travel of any kind requires advance preparation, but when you're pregnant and traveling, that pre-trip checklist gets a little longer. Give yourself a little more time than usual to plan for a trip – and use the tips below to stay safe and comfortable on your next adventure.

Before you travel

• Talk to your healthcare provider to determine if your trip is safe for you and if there are any medical concerns to consider. It's a good idea to discuss any activities you plan to do while you're away too. If you're planning an international trip, make sure to ask about any vaccines you may need for the areas you're visiting.
• Make sure you know your prenatal test schedule. Plan travels around any prenatal tests you need to schedule, including ultrasounds and other important screening tests.
• Book an aisle seat. You'll likely be more comfortable being able to get up to stretch or go to the bathroom on longer flights.
• Buy travel insurance. You don't need special travel insurance when you're pregnant, but it's never a bad idea to secure a policy. You may want to consider one with a “cancel for any reason” clause that reimburses you for money lost on cancelled trips for reasons (read: any reason) beyond what’s listed on the base policy. Check with your personal health insurance, too, to make sure it covers potential pregnancy complications while traveling internationally (some don’t). Consider adding evacuation insurance as part of a travel insurance plan, too.
• Gather your medical records and health information . If you’re in your second or third trimester, ask your ob-gyn or midwife for a digital copy of your prenatal chart, and have that easily accessible during your trip. Typically, this chart includes your age, your blood type, the name and contact information for your healthcare provider, the date of your last menstrual period, your due date, information about any prior pregnancies, your risk factors for disease, results of pregnancy-related lab tests (including ultrasounds or other imaging tests), your medical and surgical history, and a record of vital signs taken at each visit.
• Keep a list of key names and numbers you may need in the event of an emergency saved on your phone and written on a piece of paper (in case your battery dies).
• Have a contingency plan for doctors and hospitals that will take your insurance where you're going in case you go into labor early or experience pregnancy complications that require urgent care while you're away from home.
• Pack medicines and prenatal vitamins. That might include an extended supply of prescriptions and over-the-counter remedies , too. Bring enough to cover your entire trip and a written prescription that you can fill if you lose anything. It's a good idea to keep prescription medicine in its original container, so if your bags are searched it will be clear that you're not using medication without a prescription.
• Prepare for the unexpected. On a road trip, that might mean an unexpected breakdown, so join an auto club that provides roadside assistance. Download any apps you use for renting cars and accessing boarding passes before you leave so you can easily reschedule things in the event of a last-minute cancellation.
• If you're flying during your third trimester, be sure to call the airline to check about the cutoff week for pregnancy travel. A note from your doctor that says you’re cleared to travel is always good to have when traveling during your third trimester.

During your trip

• Drink plenty of water and continue to eat healthy foods . Keep in mind that many restaurants abroad commonly serve unpasteurized foods (like soft cheeses and milk), which can be dangerous for pregnant women due to the presence of listeria.
• Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat or fish , drinks with ice (which may be contaminated), non-bottled water, and other foods that can cause traveler's diarrhea, which can be more of a problem for pregnant women than other people.
• On long flights and drives, take time to stretch by pulling over for a walk or strolling up and down the airplane aisle. And when seated, always wear your seat belt .
• Maternity compression socks are handy to have along – both in transit and worn under your clothes while you’re out and about exploring – because they can ease the symptoms of swollen feet and legs. These are a few of our favorite pregnancy compression socks .
• Take advantage of help. Many countries have dedicated lines in shops and airports for pregnant travelers, so don't feel any shame taking a shorter wait if you see one.
• Go easy on yourself. Remember, you're growing a baby. You might not have quite the stamina for sightseeing and late nights like you used to pre-pregnancy. Make the most of your vacation but don't fret you miss out on things because you need more downtime from exploring than you usually would.
• Don’t forget to get photos of your bump. When your baby is older, you'll have fun showing them all the places you traveled with them before they were born.
• Go for the comfy shoes. Travel during pregnancy is the best reason ever to forgo those strappy stilettos for your favorite sneakers .
• Pack snacks so you always have something to curb your appetite if there’s a long wait for a restaurant or you get stuck in transit or someplace remote with no food offerings.
• Try to be in the moment with your travel partners as much as possible. Once your baby is born, your attention will be pulled in a whole new direction.

If you have any medical concerns traveling while pregnant, don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and call your doctor for advice. The below are a few symptoms that definitely warrant calling your ob-gyn or health care provider or seeking emergency care while traveling or at home:

• Signs of pre-term labor (including a constant, low dull backache, bleeding, etc.)
• Ruptured membranes (your water breaks)
• Severe cramping
• Spiking blood pressure
• Severe nausea or vomiting
• COVID-19 symptoms

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BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies .

AAFP. 2020. Ultrasound during pregnancy. American Academy of Family Physicians.  https://familydoctor.org/ultrasound-during-pregnancy/ Opens a new window [Accessed April 2023]

ACOG. 2020. FAQ055: Travel during pregnancy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.  https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/travel-during-pregnancy Opens a new window [Accessed April 2023]

CDC. 2019. Pregnant Travelers. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2020/family-travel/pregnant-travelers Opens a new window [Accessed April 2023]

CDC. 2022. Domestic Travel During Covid-19. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html Opens a new window [Accessed April 2023]

CDC 2023. International Travel During Covid-19. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/international-travel-during-covid19.html Opens a new window [Accessed April 2023]

CDC. 2022. Covid-19: Pregnant and Recently Pregnant People. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/pregnant-people.html Opens a new window [Accessed April 2023]

Terry Ward is a freelance travel, health, and parenting writer who has covered everything from flying with toddlers to why you should travel with your kids even when they're too young to remember it. She lives in Tampa, Florida, with her husband and their young son and daughter, and enjoys camping, sailing, scuba diving, skiing, and almost anything else done in the great outdoors.

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Pregnant Travelers

Pregnant travelers can generally travel safely with appropriate preparation. But they should avoid some destinations, including those with risk of Zika and malaria. Learn more about traveling during pregnancy and steps you can take to keep you and your baby healthy.

Before Travel

Before you book a cruise or air travel, check the airlines or cruise operator policies for pregnant women. Some airlines will let you fly until 36 weeks, but others may have an earlier cutoff. Cruises may not allow you to travel after 24–28 weeks of pregnancy, and you may need to have a note from your doctor stating you are fit to travel.

Zika and Malaria

Zika can cause severe birth defects. The Zika virus is spread through mosquito bites and sex. If you are pregnant, do not travel to  areas with risk of Zika . If you must travel to an area with Zika, use  insect repellent  and take other steps to avoid bug bites. If you have a sex partner who lives in or has traveled to an area with Zika, you should use condoms for the rest of your pregnancy.

Pregnant travelers should avoid travel to areas with malaria, as it can be more severe in pregnant women. Malaria increases the risk for serious pregnancy problems, including premature birth, miscarriage, and stillbirth. If you must travel to an area with malaria, talk to your doctor about taking malaria prevention medicine. Malaria is spread by mosquitoes, so use  insect repellent and take other steps to avoid bug bites.

Make an appointment with your healthcare provider or a travel health specialist  that takes place at least one month before you leave. They can help you get destination-specific vaccines, medicines, and information. Discussing your health concerns, itinerary, and planned activities with your provider allows them to give more specific advice and recommendations.

Plan for the unexpected. It is important to plan for unexpected events as much as possible. Doing so can help you get quality health care or avoid being stranded at a destination. A few steps you can take to plan for unexpected events are to  get travel insurance ,    learn where to get health care during travel ,  pack a travel health kit ,  and  enroll in the Department of State’s STEP .

Be sure your healthcare policy covers pregnancy and neonatal complications while overseas. If it doesn’t get travel health insurance that covers those items. Consider getting medical evacuation insurance too.

Recognize signs and symptoms that require immediate medical attention, including pelvic or abdominal pain, bleeding, contractions, symptoms of preeclampsia (unusual swelling, severe headaches, nausea and vomiting, and vision changes), and dehydration.

Prepare a  travel health kit . Pregnant travelers may want to include in your kit prescription medications, hemorrhoid cream, antiemetic drugs, antacids, prenatal vitamins, medication for vaginitis or yeast infection, and support hose, in addition to the items recommended for all travelers.

During Travel

Your feet may become swollen on a long flight, so wear comfortable shoes and loose clothing and try to walk around every hour or so. Sitting for a long time, like on long flight, increases your chances of getting blood clots, or deep vein thrombosis. Pregnant women are also more likely to get blood clots. To reduce your risk of a blood clot, your doctor may recommend compression stockings or leg exercises you can do in your seat. Also, see CDC’s Blood Clots During Travel page for more tips on how to avoid blood clots during travel.

Choose safe food and drink. Contaminated food or drinks can cause travelers’ diarrhea and other diseases and disrupt your travel. Travelers to low or middle income destinations are especially at risk. Generally, foods served hot are usually safe to eat as well as dry and packaged foods. Bottled, canned, and hot drinks are usually safe to drink. Learn more about how to choose safer  food and drinks  to prevent getting sick.

Pregnant women should not use bismuth subsalicylate, which is in Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate. Travelers to low or middle income  destinations  are more likely to get sick from food or drinks. Iodine tablets for water purification should not be used since they can harm thyroid development of the fetus.

After Travel

If you traveled and feel sick, particularly if you have a fever, talk to a healthcare provider immediately, and tell them about your travel. Avoid contact with other people while you are sick.

More Information

CDC Yellow Book: Pregnant Travelers

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• Second Trimester
• Travel During Pregnancy

How Soon Can I Travel After Birth?

If you’re itching to visit far-flung friends and relatives with your new baby , or if being housebound as a  new mom is making you want to get out of town, like now , there’s no hard-and-fast rule about when you’re allowed to fly. How soon you travel after giving birth is really up to how you’re feeling. Some new moms feel almost like their old selves within a few days, while others are still having aches and pains for a while afterward. If you get a c-section, you’ll likely be in the longer- recovery category.

You should check with your OB to make sure it’s okay to travel if you’ve had any complications, but it’s even more important that you get the go-ahead from baby’s pediatrician. That’s because baby’s immune system is still developing, and there’s a high risk of him catching something harmful in those early months.

Keep in mind, if you do hop a flight soon after delivery, there’s a high risk for blood clots that’s associated with pregnancy—and it persists for six to eight weeks postpartum. So take extra care to drink lots of water and to get up and walk around often during a long flight. Wearing special support hose to promote circulation can also help.

Updated November 2016

Plus, more from The Bump:

Prep for Baby’s First Trip

Baby’s Travel Checklist

How to Love Your Postbaby Body

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• Pregnancy week by week

Is it safe to fly during pregnancy?

Generally, air travel before 36 weeks of pregnancy is considered safe for people who aren't dealing with any pregnancy problems. Still, if you're pregnant, it's a good idea to talk with your health care provider before you fly.

Your provider might suggest that you not fly if you have certain pregnancy complications that could get worse because of air travel or that could require emergency care. Examples include a history of miscarriage or vaginal bleeding, severe anemia, and high blood pressure or diabetes that's not well controlled. If you had preeclampsia during a previous pregnancy — a condition that causes high blood pressure and extra protein in urine — flying may not be advised. The same is true if you're pregnant with twins or other multiples.

Tell your provider how far you are flying, as the length of the flight might make a difference. Also, be aware that some airlines may not allow pregnant people on international flights. Check with your airline before you make travel arrangements.

After 36 weeks of pregnancy, your health care provider may advise against flying. And some airlines don't allow pregnant people to fly after 36 weeks. The airline also may require a letter from your health care provider that states how far along in your pregnancy you are and whether flying is advised.

If your health care provider says it's okay for you to fly, and your plans are flexible, the best time to travel by air might be during the second trimester. The risks of common pregnancy emergencies are lowest during that time.

When you fly:

• Buckle up. During the trip, keep your seatbelt fastened when you are seated, and secure it under your belly.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Low humidity in the airplane could cause you to become dehydrated.
• Avoid gassy foods and drinks before you fly. Gases expand during flight, and that could make you uncomfortable. Examples of foods and drinks to avoid include broccoli and carbonated soda.
• Think about medical care. Plan for how you'll get obstetric care during your trip if you need it. Bring copies of your medical information in case you need care while you're away.

Blood clots

Air travel can raise the risk for blood clots in the legs, a condition called venous thrombosis. The risk is higher for pregnant people. Moving your legs may help prevent this problem. Take a walk up and down the aisle every hour during the flight. If you must remain seated, flex and extend your ankles from time to time. In general, it's best to avoid tightfitting clothing, as that can hinder blood flow. Wearing compression stockings can help with blood circulation during a long flight.

Radiation exposure linked to air travel at high altitudes isn't thought to be a problem for most people who fly during pregnancy. But pilots, flight attendants and others who fly often might be exposed to a level of radiation that raises concerns during pregnancy. If you must fly frequently during your pregnancy, talk about it with your health care provider.

Mary Marnach, M.D.

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• Allergy medications during pregnancy
• AskMayoExpert. Health considerations for air travelers: Pregnancy considerations. Mayo Clinic; 2022.
• Air Travel During Pregnancy: ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 746. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2018/08/air-travel-during-pregnancy. Accessed Dec. 1, 2022.
• Ram S, et al. Air travel during pregnancy and the risk of venous thrombosis. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2022; doi:10.1016/j.ajogmf.2022.100751.

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After the Baby Arrives

Development, medical conditions.

After your baby arrives, there’s a lot to think about. Click on the following links to learn more about how to help keep you and your baby healthy and safe, as well as learn about certain birth defects and medical conditions.

Breastfeeding : You and your baby gain many benefits from breastfeeding. Breast milk is easy to digest and has antibodies that can protect your baby from bacterial and viral infections .

Proper Handling and Storage of Breast Milk : Safely prepare and store your expressed breast milk to maintain its high quality and keep your baby healthy. Make sure your baby’s caregivers know how to safely prepare and store the breast milk, too.

Breastfeeding and Travel : Travel need not be a reason to stop breastfeeding. A mother traveling with a nursing infant may find breastfeeding makes travel easier than it would be if traveling with a bottle-fed infant. Find helpful tips for traveling while breastfeeding, and learn about vaccinations for international travel.

Postpartum Depression : Postpartum depression is depression that occurs after having a baby. If you think you have postpartum depression, seek treatment from your health care provider as soon as possible.

Jaundice and Kernicterus : Jaundice can sometimes lead to brain damage in newborns. Before leaving the hospital, ask your doctor or nurse about a jaundice bilirubin test. If you think your baby has jaundice, call and visit your baby’s doctor right away.

Vaccinations : Vaccines are very important to your baby’s health. When you get vaccinated against whooping cough and the flu during your pregnancy, you will pass some immunity (protection) to your baby.  However, that protection will begin to decrease over time, leaving your infant vulnerable to disease.  Make sure he or she gets vaccinated according to CDC’s childhood immunization schedule for safe, proven disease protection.

Immunization Schedules : Follow the schedule found at this link to be sure your baby gets his or her shots on time. If you miss any, check with your doctor about getting back on track.

Vaccination After Pregnancy : It is safe for a woman to receive vaccines right after giving birth, even while she is breastfeeding. Vaccination after pregnancy is especially important if you did not receive certain vaccines before or during your pregnancy.

Newborn Screening : Within 48 hours of your baby’s birth, a sample of blood is taken from a “heel stick,” and the blood is tested for treatable diseases. More than 98% of all children born in the United States are tested for these disorders.

Some babies with a critical congenital heart defect (CHD) appear healthy at first and may be sent home before their critical CHD is detected. Newborn screening for critical CHDs  is a tool that works with prenatal diagnosis and physical exams after birth to improve detection of critical CHDs.

Your baby should be screened for  hearing loss before 1 month of age, preferably before leaving the birth hospital. Learn more about newborn hearing screening and what happens if your baby doesn’t pass the screening test.

Once your baby is born, you can learn more about  ATSDR’s Choose Safe Places for Early Care and Education program, which protects the health of children where they learn and play to reduce your child’s risk of being exposed to dangerous chemicals during their care.

Visit CDC’s Hear Her campaign website to learn the warning signs to watch for during pregnancy.

Child Medication Safety :  Every year, one out of every 150 two-year-olds is treated in an emergency department for an accidental medication overdose. Find tips for keeping all medications up and away and out of sight of young children.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) : Learn what parents and caregivers can do to help babies sleep safely and reduce the risk of sleep-related infant deaths, including SIDS.

Child Safety Seats : Motor vehicle injuries are a leading cause of death among children in the United States. But many of these deaths can be prevented. Always buckling children in age- and size-appropriate car seats, booster seats, and seat belts reduces serious and fatal injuries by up to 80%.

Travel : An estimated 2.4 million children from the United States travel internationally each year. Learn how to travel safely with your baby within the country and internationally.

Fire Safety : Find tips to help prevent injury or death from a fire in your home.

Child Maltreatment : Maltreatment is a serious problem that can have lasting harmful effects on a child’s life. Find some strategies to help prevent child maltreatment.

Disaster Safety for Expecting and New Parents Learn general tips to get prepared before a disaster and what to do in case of a disaster to help keep you and your family safe and healthy.

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Medical review policy, latest update:, can you travel while pregnant , read this next, when should you stop traveling while pregnant, how should you prepare for a trip during pregnancy, what do pregnant women need to know about travel and the zika virus, travel tips for pregnant people, when should you seek medical care while traveling during pregnancy.

While traveling during pregnancy is generally considered safe for most moms-to-be, you’ll need to take some precautions before making any plans — and get the green light from your practitioner first.

What to Expect When You’re Expecting , 5th edition, Heidi Murkoff. WhatToExpect.com, Zika Virus and Pregnancy , October 2020. WhatToExpect.com, What to Know About COVID-19 if You’re Pregnant , February 2021. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Travel During Pregnancy , August 2020. Johns Hopkins Medicine, Traveling While Pregnant or Breastfeeding , 2021. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID-19 Travel Recommendations by Destination , May 2021. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Pregnant and Recently Pregnant People , May 2021. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Pregnant Travelers , December 2020. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Travel: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers , April 2021. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID-19 and Cruise Ship Travel , March 2020.

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Travel During Pregnancy

As long as there are no identified complications or concerns with your pregnancy, it is generally safe to travel during your pregnancy. The ideal time to travel during pregnancy is the second trimester .  In most cases, you are past the morning sickness of the first trimester and several weeks from the third stage of pregnancy when you are more easily fatigued .

Is it safe to travel during pregnancy?

Traveling by air is considered safe for women while they are pregnant; however, the following ideas might make your trip safer and more comfortable.

• Most airlines allow pregnant women to travel through their eighth month. Traveling during the ninth month is usually allowed if there is permission from your health care provider.
• Most airlines have narrow aisles and smaller bathrooms, which makes it more challenging to walk and more uncomfortable when using the restroom. Because of potential turbulence that could shake the plane, make sure you are holding on to the seatbacks while navigating the aisle.
• You may want to choose an aisle seat which will allow you to get up more easily to reach the restroom or just to stretch your legs and back.
• Travel on major airlines with pressurized cabins and avoid smaller private planes. If you must ride in smaller planes, avoid altitudes above 7,000 feet.
• Although doubtful, the risk of DVT can be further reduced by wearing compression stockings.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the International Air Travel Association recommend that expecting mothers in an uncomplicated pregnancy avoid travel from the 37th week of pregnancy through birth. Avoiding travel from 32 weeks through birth is recommended for women who have complicated pregnancies with risk factors for premature labor, such as mothers carrying multiples.

Risk factors that warrant travel considerations include the following:

• Severe anemia
• Cardiac disease
• Respiratory disease
• Recent hemorrhage
• Current or recent bone fractures

Traveling by Sea During Pregnancy

Traveling by sea is generally safe for women while they are pregnant; the motion of the boat may accentuate any morning sickness or make you feel nauseous all over again. There are a few considerations to make your trip safer and more comfortable:

• Check with the cruise line to ensure that there is a health care provider on board in case there are any pregnancy complications .
• Review the route and port-of-calls to identify if there is access to any medical facilities if needed.
• Make sure any medications for seasickness are approved for women who are pregnant and that there is no risk to the developing baby.
• Seasickness bands use acupressure points to help prevent upset stomach and maybe a good alternative to medication.

International Travel During Pregnancy

Traveling overseas has the same considerations that local or domestic travel has, but it also has additional concerns that you need to know about before making an international trip. The information below is provided to help you assess whether an international trip is good for you at this time:

• It is important to talk with your health care provider before you take a trip internationally to discuss safety factors for you and your baby.
• Discuss immunizations with your health care provider and carry a copy of your health records with you.
• With international travel, you may be exposed to a disease that is rare here in the United States but is common in the country you visit.
• Contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at (800) 311-3435 or visit their website at www.cdc.gov to receive safety information along with immunization facts related to your travels.
• Diarrhea is a common concern when traveling overseas because you may not be used to the germs and organisms found in the food and water of other countries. This can lead to a problem of dehydration .

Here are some tips to avoid diarrhea and help keep you safe:

• Drink plenty of bottled water
• Used canned juices or soft drinks as alternatives
• Make sure the milk is pasteurized
• Avoid fresh fruits and vegetables unless they have been cooked or can be peeled (such as an orange or a banana)
• Make certain that all meat and fish has been cooked completely; if you are unsure, do not eat it

Travel Tips During Pregnancy

Whether you are going by car, bus, or train, it is generally safe to travel while you are pregnant; however, there are some things to consider that could make your trip safer and more comfortable.

• It is essential to buckle-up every time you ride in a car. Make sure that you use both the lap and shoulder belts for the best protection of you and your baby.
• Keep the airbags turned on. The safety benefits of the airbag outweigh any potential risk to you and your baby.
• Buses tend to have narrow aisles and small restrooms. This mode of transportation can be more challenging.  The safest thing is to remain seated while the bus is moving. If you must use the restroom, make sure to hold on to the rail or seats to keep your balance.
• Trains usually have more room to navigate and walk. The restrooms are usually small. It is essential to hold on to rails or seat backs while the train is moving.
• Try to limit the amount of time you are cooped up in the car, bus, or train. Keep travel time around five to six hours.
• Use rest stops to take short walks and to do stretches to keep the blood circulating.
• Dress comfortably in loose cotton clothing and wear comfortable shoes.
• Take your favorite pillow.
• Plan for plenty of rest stops, restroom breaks and stretches.
• Carry snack foods with you.
• If you are traveling any distance, make sure to carry a copy of your prenatal records.
• Enjoy the trip.

Want to Know More?

• How to Treat Jet Lag Naturally During Pregnancy

Compiled using information from the following sources:

1. Planning Your Pregnancy and Birth Third Ed. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Ch. 5. William’s Obstetrics Twenty-Second Ed. Cunningham, F. Gary, et al, Ch. 8.

2. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Air Travel and Pregnancy (Scientific Impact Paper No. 1), https://www.rcog.org/uk, May 22, 2013.

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There’s a lot to think about when you’re pregnant — especially if you plan to travel. You’ll want to make sure your health care and your trip costs are covered if something goes wrong.

And while travel insurance for pregnancy may sound like a must-have, remember that not all plans will cover your specific needs. At the moment, there isn't a specific insurance option for those who are pregnant. Rather, pregnant people will need to consider travel insurance that includes coverage for trip cancellation and interruption, as well as emergency medical and evacuation costs.

Your decision to buy travel insurance while pregnant will depend on how much of your trip is nonrefundable, where you’re going and what coverages you already have. These coverages may include trip interruption insurance from your credit card issuer or emergency medical coverage from your current health insurer.

Here’s what you need to know to choose the best travel insurance for pregnancy.

Trip cancellation or interruption due to pregnancy

Most travel insurance policies will reimburse you for all or a portion of your nonrefundable travel costs if you have to cancel your trip for a covered reason. But for pregnant people, covered reasons are a little more complicated.

For most policies, normal pregnancy is not a valid reason to cancel your trip if you already knew you were pregnant when you purchased the insurance. But pregnancy may be a valid reason to cancel if you learn you're pregnant after you’ve booked your trip and paid for an insurance policy.

For example, if you prepay for a trip a year in advance, purchase Allianz travel insurance, and a few months later find out you’re pregnant and need to cancel your trip, the company will likely reimburse you for all or a portion of your lost travel costs. But you’ll have to prove that you learned about your pregnancy after you purchased the policy.

On the other hand, if you knew you were pregnant when you purchased the policy, you will likely not get reimbursed if you canceled your flight due to morning sickness, for example.

» Learn more: Can you fly while pregnant? It depends.

Trip cancellation or interruption due to complications of pregnancy

If you have complications during your pregnancy, travel insurance may cover your trip costs regardless of when you learned you were pregnant.

Keep in mind that only specific complications — like gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, hyperemesis gravidarum or miscarriage — are eligible, and a doctor must advise you not to travel due to your diagnosed condition.

» Learn more: What to know about Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) travel insurance

Medical coverage for pregnant travelers

If you’re traveling domestically, your regular health insurance may be all the coverage you need. Check with your provider. If you’re going abroad, there’s a good chance your health insurance will not reimburse you for medical expenses while traveling. So for pregnant people traveling internationally, travel medical insurance is probably a good idea.

Secondary travel health insurance can be surprisingly affordable. Secondary plans kick in after you’ve used any applicable primary insurance coverage from your current health insurer.

Searching InsureMyTrip.com, we found secondary international medical insurance plans starting at $14 for a 30-year-old California resident traveling to France for 12 days in September. For this price, you receive coverage up to $50,000.

Want higher coverage limits? They’re available. For the same 30-year-old California-based traveler headed to France, GeoBlue 's Voyager Essential plan offers $1 million in travel medical coverage with a $0 deductible for $27 — again, that’s for the whole trip, not per day. This plan is not secondary coverage, meaning you can buy it even if you don’t have a primary health insurer.

» Learn more: Can I get travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions?

Emergency medical evacuation due to pregnancy

If you’re traveling to large city, a health care facility is likely a short drive away. But if you’re traveling someplace remote, emergency transportation coverage , like a helicopter, can be a literal lifesaver. Covering this service with an insurance plan can save you a bundle.

Some credit cards give you automatic emergency medical evacuation when you use the card to book your trip, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® . But if you didn’t use a credit card with emergency evacuation coverage or need higher limits, you may want to buy travel insurance. Most comprehensive plans include emergency medical evacuation insurance, but make sure it’s covered before you purchase your plan.

» Learn more: The best credit cards for travel insurance benefits

Where to buy insurance for traveling while pregnant

Different travel insurance companies have a variety of plans with varying coverage.

A policy from Travel Guard that was perfect for your nonpregnant friend when she traveled to Machu Picchu may not be as good as a policy from Travelex or Nationwide if you’re pregnant and cruising through Europe. Comparison shop and carefully note what’s covered and the deductible limits before you buy.

» Learn more: The best travel insurance companies

Travel insurance while pregnant recapped

You may not need travel insurance for pregnancy, especially if you’re traveling domestically and your trip is fully refundable — but don’t assume that’s always the case.

Read up on your existing coverage from your health plan and any insurance offered by your credit card . Then you can explore a little more of the world before baby arrives, knowing you’re covered for any scenario.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

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Travel During Pregnancy: What Does Travel Insurance Cover?

Some of the most common questions we get at Allianz Global Assistance are about traveling while pregnant. While most pregnant women can safely travel without incident, sometimes complications arise and customers wonder, "What does travel insurance cover?"

Here’s the quick answer: Travel insurance can cover certain situations that result from unforeseen pregnancy complications, or a pregnancy that occurs after you’ve purchased your plan. Travel insurance typically does not cover trip cancellations or other travel losses resulting from normal pregnancy.

Like any other kind of insurance, travel insurance includes specific coverage definitions and restrictions. Read your agreement carefully, and if you have any questions about coverage, call. Pregnant women should consult their doctors with concerns and questions about safe travel.

If you’re pregnant, or you might be soon, it’s wise to protect upcoming trips. Maximize your coverage window by purchasing travel protection as soon as possible. Our most popular plan is OneTrip Prime , which includes substantial benefits for trip cancellation/interruption and medical emergencies.

Read on for a detailed guide to travel insurance and pregnancy from Allianz Global Assistance.

Pregnancy Complications: What Does Travel Insurance Cover? 

You're in the first trimester of your pregnancy and feeling fine — until you begin feeling extremely nauseous a week before you're supposed to fly to New York on business. Your doctor diagnoses you with hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe and serious form of morning sickness, and you end up in the hospital on the day of your scheduled flight. Can travel insurance reimburse you for the canceled trip?

Yes. Travel insurance from Allianz Global Assistance can cover losses resulting from unforeseen pregnancy complications, such as pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes or hyperemesis gravidarum. That means your travel insurance may reimburse you for nonrefundable trip costs lost if you must cancel or interrupt your trip because of pregnancy complications. The illness, injury, or medical condition you’re experiencing must be disabling enough to make a reasonable person cancel their trip, and a doctor must advise you to cancel it. For example, normal morning sickness would not be a covered reason for trip cancellation. When you’re filing a claim for trip cancellation/interruption related to a pregnancy complication, you’ll need documentation from your physician.

All travel insurance plans from Allianz Global Assistance include access to 24-Hour Emergency Assistance . If you experience a medical emergency while traveling, or any other problem, contact our hotline via phone or the TravelSmart TM app for rapid assistance. If your plan includes emergency medical benefits, your insurance may reimburse you for the cost of emergency medical care that you received for covered pregnancy complications while traveling.

Please note that travel insurance does not cover the chance that a complication might occur. For example, if you delivered prematurely with your first two pregnancies, your doctor might advise you to cancel the trip to Paris you planned for the sixth month of your third pregnancy. However, this is still considered a normal pregnancy because no complication has been diagnosed. Travel insurance would not cover the trip cancellation.

Surprise Pregnancy and Trip Cancellation

You and your spouse are planning a week-long European river cruise to celebrate your third anniversary. Tickets are hard to come by, so you book your trip a year in advance. You schedule the flights and purchase your travel insurance — and two months later, you discover you're pregnant. Will travel insurance cover your trip cancellation?

On some plans, Allianz Global Assistance lists pregnancy as a covered reason for trip cancellation if you find out you are pregnant after purchasing your policy. For your trip cancellation to be covered, you must provide medical records to verify the pregnancy occurred after that date. Please see your policy documents for your plan’s specific coverage. And if you’re planning a trip now, don’t wait to buy travel insurance! Get a quote today.

Late-Term Pregnancy and Trip Cancellation 

You decide to plan a babymoon getaway so you and your sweetie can enjoy some time together before the baby arrives. You book your plane tickets and a bed-and-breakfast on the beach. You're feeling fine and getting excited. Then your doctor advises you, as a precaution, not to travel in the eighth month of pregnancy. Will travel insurance cover this pregnancy-related trip cancellation?

No. In this scenario, there are no medical complications with your pregnancy, so the cancellation will not be covered. Please understand that Allianz Global Assistance is not disagreeing with your doctor's recommendation not to travel — you should do what's best for you and your baby's health. However, most travel insurance plans from Allianz Global Assistance do not include normal pregnancy as a covered reason for trip cancellation (except as described above.)

Airline Rules for Flying While Pregnant

You're flying to Los Angeles to see your sister one last time before the baby's born. But when you get to the gate, the airline won't let you on board because you're too close to your due date. Will your travel insurance plan reimburse you for the missed flight?

No. Being refused service by a carrier because of normal pregnancy is not a covered reason for trip cancellation. Cruise ships and airlines have very specific rules about travel while pregnant. Here are selected airline pregnancy policies, but you should also call your travel supplier to check before you book your trip. Please note that this information is subject to change.

• American Airlines: A medical certificate is required to fly within four weeks of your delivery date in a normal, uncomplicated pregnancy. Travel is not permitted within seven days of your due date on domestic flights under five hours, or within four weeks of your due date on international flights, unless you get a medical certificate and clearance from a Special Assistance Coordinator. 1
• Delta: Delta does not impose restrictions on flying for pregnant women. However, ticket change fees and penalties cannot be waived for pregnancy. 2
• JetBlue: Pregnant passengers expecting to deliver within seven days are prohibited from travel, unless they provide a doctor's certificate dated no more than 72 hours prior to departure stating that the passenger is physically fit for air travel and that the estimated date of delivery is after the date of the last flight. 3
• Southwest: Southwest has no pregnancy prohibitions, but recommends against air travel beginning at the 38th week of pregnancy. 4
• United: To fly in or after your 36 th week of pregnancy, you must provide the original and two copies of an obstetrician’s certificate, dated within three days (72 hours) prior to your flight departure, that says you’re fit to fly. 5

Travel Insurance and Childbirth

You're enjoying your babymoon vacation in Cozumel when suddenly you feel the first twinge of labor. Twelve hours later, you're the proud mother of a baby girl. Will travel insurance cover the cost of labor and delivery?

No. Normal childbirth is not covered by travel insurance from Allianz Global Assistance. However, if complications arise in delivery, the costs of emergency medical care may be covered. Also, attending the childbirth of a family member can be a covered reason for trip cancellation, depending on your plan.

While travel insurance from Allianz Global Assistance can't cover every possible pregnancy scenario, we want to do our best to help! Our Assistance team is available 24 hours a day to provide expert advice and aid.

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Pregnancy and travel

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• If you are pregnant, the safest time for you to travel is during the second trimester, provided you aren’t experiencing any complications.
• If you are pregnant and considering travel, you must consult with your doctor, especially if your pregnancy is high risk.
• Avoid travelling to developing nations during pregnancy.
• Be wary of taking medications of any kind, including those commonly used to treat traveller’s diarrhoea.

On this page

About pregnancy and travel, high-risk pregnancies and travel, travel immunisation warnings for pregnant women, travel and the risk of malaria during pregnancy, risks of long-distance travel during pregnancy, air travel and pregnancy, car travel and pregnancy, heat and sun exposure and pregnancy, sporting activities and pregnancy, traveller’s diarrhoea and pregnancy, medications to avoid during pregnancy, where to get help.

If you are pregnant, the safest time for you to travel, generally speaking, is during the second trimester, provided you aren’t experiencing any complications. If you are pregnant and considering travel, you must consult with your doctor, especially if your pregnancy is high risk. Consider the standard of medical care at your chosen destination, just in case you need help.

Some countries have reciprocal healthcare arrangements with Australia – check with Medicare. Travelling to developing nations is not encouraged during pregnancy for various reasons, including the risk of disease and the lower standard of medical facilities compared to Australia.

Pregnant women experiencing complications are advised not to travel. Some complications include:

• cervical problems, such as 'incompetent cervix'
• vaginal bleeding
• multiple pregnancy
• gestational diabetes, past or present
• high blood pressure, past or present
• pre-eclampsia (a toxic condition sometimes occurring in pregnancy), past or present
• abnormalities of the placenta, past or present
• prior miscarriage
• prior ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy that develops outside the womb)
• prior premature labour.

If you are aged 35 years or over and pregnant for the first time, you are also advised not to travel.

Travellers to most developing nations need to be immunised against diseases such as typhoid. Most vaccines are either dangerous to unborn babies or haven't been adequately tested for safety on pregnant women.

The important exception to this is the influenza vaccine, which can be safely given during pregnancy. It is strongly recommended for all pregnant women, as influenza in pregnancy can be a very serious illness. Generally, all live virus vaccines (such as mumps and measles) should be avoided during pregnancy.

Some vaccines, such as for yellow fever, may cautiously be given after the first trimester. Be advised by your doctor. It is recommended that pregnant women delay any travel to developing nations until after their babies are born.

Malaria is an infection carried by particular species of mosquito. A pregnant woman who catches malaria risks miscarriage, premature labour and stillbirth. Some antimalarial drugs (such as chloroquine) are considered safe to take during pregnancy, but others (such as doxycycline) are potentially harmful to the unborn baby. It is recommended that pregnant women avoid travelling to areas where malaria is present.

Long periods of not moving during car, bus, rail and air travel increases the risk of clots forming in the deep veins of the leg, known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). These clots can circulate and lodge in parts of the body such as the lungs.

The risk of DVT is increased in pregnancy if:

• you had a DVT in the past
• you weigh more than 100 kg
• you have a multiple pregnancy
• a family member has had a DVT.

One in 1,000 pregnant women will develop DVT. Research indicates the risk of DVT can increase by two or three times in a long-distance flight.

There is no research-based advice on travel for pregnant women. However, if you choose to travel long distances, you should:

• Do frequent leg exercises.
• Walk regularly (in the case of air travel, walk around the aircraft cabin if the flight is smooth).
• Avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of water.
• Minimise alcohol and caffeine intake.

If you have an increased risk of DVT, you are advised to:

• Discuss travel plans with your doctor.
• Wear well-fitting elastic below-knee compression stockings during the journey.
• Receive heparin injections before and after any journey longer than four hours.

Before you decide to travel by plane:

• Discuss any potential risks particular to your pregnancy with your doctor. For example, a woman with gestational diabetes or a multiple pregnancy is generally advised not to fly.
• Be aware that air travel in the last six weeks of pregnancy could trigger premature labour.
• Check with the airline – some airlines won't allow a woman over 35 weeks to fly at all, or they require a doctor’s note.
• Check the fine print of your travel insurance – some policies may not cover pregnancy.
• Arrange with the airline for a bulkhead seat or a seat near an exit for extra leg room.
• Consider booking an aisle seat – going to the toilet will be a little easier.

Before you leave, discuss with your doctor whether you need to travel with a medical kit. Remember to pack this kit in your carry-on luggage so you can access it during the flight.

Items your medical kit could contain:

• preparations to help you treat common pregnancy complaints such as heartburn, thrush, constipation and haemorrhoids
• oral rehydration preparations in case of traveller’s diarrhoea
• multivitamins formulated for pregnant women
• urine dipsticks to check glucose levels (if required).

During the flight:

• Wear your seatbelt under your bump and across your lap.
• Stretch and move your legs regularly while seated. Consider wearing support stockings for the duration of the flight. A pregnant woman's circulation is already under strain – the lower cabin pressure inside a plane can theoretically increase the risk of blood clots.
• Drink plenty of water to reduce the risk of dehydration. Keeping up your fluid intake will also reduce the risk of DVT.
• If the flight is smooth, walk up and down the aisles every half hour.
• If the flight has turbulence, stay in your seat, but flex and extend your ankles frequently.
• If you are feeling short of breath or light-headed, ask one of the flight attendants to give you breathing oxygen.

If travelling by car:

• Make frequent breaks to stretch your legs and visit the toilet.
• Always wear a seatbelt. Fasten the lap sash across your lap and under your bump, fit the shoulder sash above your bump and between your breasts.
• Avoid wearing the lap sash across your bump as a sudden jolt could cause your placenta to separate from your uterus.
• If you are sitting in the front passenger seat, move your seat well back from the dashboard to reduce airbag impact in case of a collision.
• If you are driving, have your seat as far back from the steering wheel as possible, while still being able to drive safely and comfortably. It may help to tilt the steering wheel downwards, away from your belly.
• If you are involved in a collision, however minor, see your doctor.
• If you have contractions, pain or bleeding after an accident, see a doctor as soon as possible. Let them know if you have a rhesus negative External Link blood group, as you may need to have an anti-D injection.
• Consider joining a roadside assistance program that can help you in case of a breakdown, and always carry a mobile phone.

If travelling in hot weather:

• Carry a water bottle with you and drink water frequently.
• Stay in the shade or inside during the hottest part of the day.
• Protect your skin by wearing loose-fitting clothing, a hat and sunscreen.
• Avoid rushing or overexertion – plan your activities and give yourself plenty of time.

Overheating during pregnancy

If you feel weak and dizzy, light-headed or even slightly nauseous, it may be a sign that you are overheating and dehydrated. Remember:

• to seek shade or go inside, drink a glass of cool water and lie down
• to bring down your temperature by using a fan, placing a cool, wet cloth on your forehead and the back of your neck, or running cool water over your wrists.
• that dizziness may also indicate a drop in blood sugar, so have a light snack such as a banana or a piece of toast.

Certain sporting activities carry an increased risk to your unborn baby. Activities to avoid include:

• Water-skiing – coming off the skis could force water into the vagina.
• Scuba diving – the changes in blood gases may harm your baby. Snorkelling is fine and scuba diving to depths of less than 18 metres (60 feet) is reasonably safe, but check with your doctor first.
• Saunas and hot tubs – raising your body temperature can harm your baby.
• Horseback riding – the motion of horseback riding carries a risk of placental abruption (separating the placenta from the uterus). Falling from or being kicked by a horse carries a high risk of trauma to your baby, or even death.
• High-altitude activities such as mountain climbing – at heights over 3,000 metres, the oxygen level in the air is low. This reduces the oxygen available to your baby. Pregnant women are also more vulnerable to developing altitude sickness.

Be careful to avoid food poisoning, as certain infections can harm the baby or trigger miscarriage. Remember to:

• Avoid food buffets, seafood, undercooked meats, soft cheeses and p â t é s.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after going to the toilet, before preparing food and before eating.
• In developing nations, only eat fruit that you have peeled yourself. Avoid leafy greens and salads because they could have been washed in contaminated water.
• Drink bottled water if you are unsure of the water supply. Use bottled water when brushing your teeth. Make sure that all eating utensils are thoroughly dried after washing.
• If you must use the local water, boil the water thoroughly for five minutes before using.
• Avoid treating unsafe water with iodine. If consumed over a few weeks, iodine can cause your unborn baby to develop a goitre (enlarged thyroid gland).

Pregnant women should be wary of taking medications of any kind. Some medications can pass to the baby through the placenta and cause birth defects or miscarriage.

• Avoid taking any over-the-counter medication unless advised by your doctor, who knows you are pregnant.
• Medications that are commonly used to treat traveller’s diarrhoea are dangerous during pregnancy.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Avoid using 'social' or 'recreational' drugs.
• Your GP (doctor)
• NURSE-ON-CALL Tel. 1300 60 60 24 – for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days)
• Getting there by car External Link , babycenter.com.au.
• Pregnancy and overheating External Link , netdoctor.
• ‘ Influenza External Link ’, The Australian Immunisation Handbook 10th Edition 2013, Australian Government Department of Health.
• Reyes N, Grosse S, Grant A, Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism External Link , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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More information, related information.

In Victoria, you can have two types of abortion: surgical and medication. Both types are safe and reliable. You can have a medication abortion up to nine weeks of pregnancy. You can have a surgical abortion from around six weeks of pregnancy onwards.

There’s no safe level of alcohol use during pregnancy. It’s safest to not drink at all during pregnancy, when trying to conceive, and while breastfeeding.

Learn all about alcohol - includes standard drink size, health risks and effects, how to keep track of your drinking, binge drinking, how long it takes to leave the body, tips to lower intake.

Being young and fit doesn't reduce your risk of altitude sickness.

Pregnant women with asthma need to continue to take their asthma medication as it is important to the health of both mother and baby that the mother's asthma is under control.

From other websites

• External Link Can I have travel vaccinations during pregnancy?
• External Link Centres for Disease Control and Prevention
• External Link Travel and pregnancy
• External Link Travel in pregnancy
• External Link Travellers’ health – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Content disclaimer

Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website.

Travelling in pregnancy

With the proper precautions such as travel insurance, most women can travel safely well into their pregnancy.

Wherever you go, find out what healthcare facilities are at your destination in case you need urgent medical attention. It's a good idea to take your maternity medical records (sometimes called handheld notes) with you so you can give doctors the relevant information if necessary.

Find out more about getting healthcare abroad .

Make sure your travel insurance covers you for any eventuality, such as pregnancy-related medical care during labour, premature birth and the cost of changing the date of your return trip if you go into labour .

When to travel in pregnancy

Some women prefer not to travel in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy because of  nausea and vomiting and feeling very tired during these early stages. The risk of  miscarriage is also higher in the first 3 months, whether you're travelling or not.

Travelling in the final months of pregnancy can be tiring and uncomfortable. So, many women find the best time to travel or take a holiday is in mid-pregnancy, between 4 and 6 months.

Flying in pregnancy

Flying isn't harmful to you or your baby, but discuss any health issues or pregnancy complications with your midwife or doctor before you fly.

The chance of going into labour is naturally higher after  37 weeks (around 32 weeks if you're carrying twins), and some airlines won't let you fly towards the end of your pregnancy. Check with the airline for their policy on this.

After week 28 of pregnancy, the airline may ask for a letter from your doctor or midwife confirming your due date, and that you are not at risk of complications. You may have to pay for the letter and wait several weeks before you get it.

Long-distance travel (longer than 4 hours) carries a small risk of blood clots (deep vein thrombosis (DVT)) . If you fly, drink plenty of water and move about regularly – every 30 minutes or so. You can buy a pair of graduated compression or support stockings from the pharmacy, which will help reduce leg swelling.

Travel vaccinations when you're pregnant

Most vaccines that use live bacteria or viruses aren't recommended during pregnancy because of concerns that they could harm the baby in the womb.

However, some live travel vaccines may be considered during pregnancy if the risk of infection outweighs the risk of live vaccination. Ask your GP or midwife for advice about specific travel vaccinations. Non-live (inactivated) vaccines are safe to use in pregnancy.

Malaria tablets

Some anti-malaria tablets aren't safe to take in pregnancy so ask your GP for advice.

Zika virus is mainly spread by mosquitoes found in some parts of the world. For most people it's mild and not harmful, but can cause problems if you're pregnant.

If you are pregnant, it is not recommended to travel to parts of the world where the Zika virus is present, such as parts of:

• South and Central America
• the Caribbean
• the Pacific islands

Check before you travel

It's important to check the risk for the country you're going to before you travel.

Find out more about the Zika virus risk in specific countries on the Travel Health Pro website

Car travel in pregnancy

It's best to avoid long car journeys if you're pregnant. However, if it can't be avoided, make sure you stop regularly and get out of the car to stretch and move around.

You can also do some exercises in the car (when you're not driving), such as flexing and rotating your feet and wiggling your toes. This will keep the blood flowing through your legs and reduce any stiffness and discomfort. Wearing compression stockings while on long car journeys (more than 4 hours) can also increase the blood flow in your legs and help prevent blood clots.

Tiredness and dizziness are common during pregnancy so it's important on car journeys to drink regularly and eat natural, energy-giving foods, such as fruit and nuts.

Keep the air circulating in the car and wear your seatbelt with the cross strap between your breasts and the lap strap across your pelvis under your bump, not across your bump.

Road accidents are among the most common causes of injury in pregnant women. If you have to make a long trip, don't travel on your own. You could also share the driving with your companion.

Sailing in pregnancy

Ferry companies have their own restrictions and may refuse to carry heavily pregnant women (often beyond 32 weeks on standard crossings and 28 weeks on high-speed crossings ). Check the ferry company's policy before you book.

For longer boat trips, such as cruises, find out if there are onboard facilities to deal with pregnancy and medical services at the docking ports.

Food and drink abroad in pregnancy

Take care to avoid food- and water-borne conditions, such as stomach upsets and travellers' diarrhoea . Some medicines for treating stomach upsets and travellers' diarrhoea aren't suitable during pregnancy.

Always check if tap water is safe to drink. If in doubt, drink bottled water. If you get ill, keep hydrated and continue eating for the health of your baby, even if you're not hungry.

Find out about a healthy diet in pregnancy , and foods to avoid in pregnancy .

Page last reviewed: 17 August 2022 Next review due: 17 August 2025

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Travelling while pregnant

Find useful information and considerations to help you prepare for safe and healthy travels outside Canada while pregnant.

With careful preparation, travelling while pregnant can be safe. The decision to travel should be made in consultation with your health care professional, based on your personal health circumstances.

On this page

Before you go, while you're away, if you need help.

Medical practices, health standards and infection control measures vary from country to country. You may not have access to the same level of care, procedures, treatments and medications as you would in Canada.

You could also be at increased risk of getting an infection and/or developing severe complications from certain infections, which could also affect the fetus.

Before leaving Canada:

• consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic at least 6 weeks before travelling to get personalized health advice and recommendations
• check our Travel Advice and Advisories for country-specific information, including about possible health risks
• know how to seek medical assistance outside of Canada
• review the policy and the coverage it provides
• most policies do not automatically cover pregnancy-related conditions or hospital care for premature infants
• ask your insurance provider about coverage for medical care during pregnancy, giving birth and intensive care for you and your fetus or newborn
• carry a copy of your prenatal records
• talk to your health care professional about any additional items you may want to bring that are specific to your health needs

Local laws and medical services relating to pregnancy can differ from Canada. Learn the local laws, and how these may apply to you before you travel.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

Many vaccines can be safely given during pregnancy. Due to a higher risk of more severe outcomes for you and your fetus, some vaccines are recommended specifically during pregnancy, such as tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (DTaP) and influenza.

Don’t take medications you may still have from prior trips. Tell the health care professional about your pregnancy, or intended pregnancy, before filling any prescriptions. The decision to get any pre-travel vaccinations or medications should be discussed with your health care professional.

The decision can depend on:

• your purpose of travel (e.g., tourism, visiting friends and relatives)
• your planned destination(s)
• the length of your trip
• your risk of getting a disease
• how severe the effect of a disease would be to you and/or your fetus
• your planned activities
• any underlying medical issues and/or pregnancy-related complications

Malaria could cause major health problems for a mother and her unborn baby. A pregnant woman may want to consider avoiding travel to areas where malaria transmission occurs.

Description of malaria risk by country and preventative measures.

If you can’t avoid travelling to an area where malaria is present:

• some medications to prevent or treat malaria may not be safe during pregnancy
• take extra care to protect yourself from mosquito bites

Zika virus infection during pregnancy can pose significant risks to your fetus even if you don’t develop symptoms. While pregnant, you may want to consider avoiding travelling to a country or areas with risk of Zika virus.

Latest travel health advice on Zika virus.

If you choose to travel, take precautions to avoid infection with Zika virus:

• prevent mosquito bites at all times
• protect yourself from contact with semen, vaginal fluid and blood
• always use condoms correctly or avoid sexual contact while in countries or areas with risk of Zika virus

Learn more about Zika virus and pregnancy:

• Zika virus: Pregnant or planning a pregnancy
• Zika virus: Advice for travellers
• Pregnancy and travel (tropical medicine and travel)

Monitor your health and be prepared

Emergencies can happen at any time. Know where the nearest hospital or medical centre is while you are travelling and confirm they will accept your medical insurance.

Seek medical attention immediately if you develop any of the following symptoms while travelling:

• persistent vomiting and/or diarrhea
• dehydration
• vaginal bleeding
• passing tissue or clots
• abdominal pain, cramps or contractions
• your water breaks
• excessive swelling of face, hands or legs
• excessive leg pain
• severe headaches
• visual problems

If you develop these symptoms after your return to Canada, you should see a health care professional immediately and tell them about your recent trip.

Transportation

Always wear a seatbelt when travelling by plane or car. When using a diagonal shoulder strap with a lap belt, the straps should be placed carefully above and below your abdomen. If only a lap belt is available, fasten it at the pelvic area, below your abdomen.

If you have any medical or pregnancy-related complications, discuss with your health care professional whether air travel is safe for you.

Most airlines restrict travel in late pregnancy or may require a written confirmation from a physician. Check this with the airline before booking your flight.

During long flights, you may be at higher risk of developing blood clots, known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The risk of deep vein thrombosis can be reduced by:

• getting up and walking around occasionally
• exercising and stretching your legs while seated
• selecting an aisle seat when possible
• wearing comfortable shoes and loose clothing

Your health care professional may recommend additional ways to reduce your risk such as wearing compression stockings.

Always stay well hydrated while travelling.

Land travel

The risk of deep vein thrombosis can be reduced by:

• stopping the vehicle to walk around every couple of hours

Motion sickness

Certain medications used to treat nausea and vomiting during pregnancy may also be effective in relieving motion sickness.

If you think you might experience motion sickness during your trip, speak to your health care professional about the use of these medications.

Environmental and recreational risks

Some activities may not be recommended or may require additional precautions. Discuss your travel plans, including any planned or potential recreational activities with a health care professional.

High altitude

You should avoid travelling to an altitude above 3,658 metres (12,000 feet).

However, if you have a high-risk pregnancy and/or are in the late stages of pregnancy, the highest altitude should be 2,500 metres (8,200 feet).

If you have pregnancy-related complications, you should avoid unnecessary high-altitude exposure.

Keep in mind that most high-altitude destinations are far from medical care services.

Personal protective measures

Food-borne and water-borne diseases.

Eat and drink safely while travelling while travelling. Many food-borne and water-borne illnesses can be more severe during pregnancy and pose a risk to the fetus.

This can include:

• toxoplasmosis
• listeriosis
• hepatitis A and E

To help avoid food-borne and water-borne diseases:

• before eating or preparing food
• after using the bathroom or changing diapers
• after contact with animals or sick people
• before and after touching raw meat, poultry, fish and seafood
• if you’re at a destination that lacks proper sanitation and/or access to clean drinking water, only drink water if it has been boiled or disinfected or if it’s in a commercially sealed bottle
• use ice made only from purified or disinfected water
• this could cause the fetus or newborn to develop thyroid problems
• unpasteurized dairy products, such as raw milk and raw milk soft cheeses
• unpasteurized juice and cider
• raw or undercooked eggs, meat or fish, including shellfish
• raw sprouts
• non-dried deli meats, including bologna, roast beef and turkey breast
• don’t use bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol®)
• Information on travellers’ diarrhea

Illnesses acquired from insect and other animals

Protect yourself from insect bites:

• wear light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
• prevent mosquitoes from entering your living area with screening and/or closed, well-sealed doors and windows
• use insecticide-treated bed nets if mosquitoes can’t be prevented from entering your living area
• information on insect bite and pest prevention

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. You should avoid contact with animals including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats.

Information for if you become sick or injured while travelling outside Canada.

For help with emergencies outside Canada, contact the:

• nearest Canadian office abroad
• Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa

More information on services available at consular offices outside Canada.

Related links

• Immunization in pregnancy and breastfeeding: Canadian Immunization Guide
• Advice for Canadians travelling to Zika-affected countries
• Advice for women travellers
• If you get sick before or after returning to Canada
• Receiving medical care in other countries
• Travel vaccinations
• What you can bring on a plane

• Inspiration

Flying while pregnant? This is what you need to know

Know these guidelines about flying while you're with child.

Maybe you have to travel for work. Maybe you already had a vacation planned before finding out you were pregnant. However you got here, the reality is you’re pregnant, and you have to get on a plane. Can you fly if you are pregnant, or is it on the list of no-no’s , like soft cheese and deli meats? Whether you already booked that plane ticket or not, there are a few things about flying while pregnant to know. 

Traveling while pregnant

Other pregnancy travel tips to know.

Let’s break it down by trimester, so you know where you’ll be when you take your trip.

First trimester travel

The first part of your pregnancy is usually OK to travel during. Most women don’t start to show yet, feel pretty normal, and aren’t physically restricted by a beach ball blocking everything they do. But there are two things to know if you fly in your first trimester.

One problem with flying during the first trimester would be the morning sickness. You might be learning how to turn the world into your personal puke bucket, which might be a great party trick, but your seatmates on the plane wouldn’t want to see that. If you hit turbulence in the air, that nauseous feeling is not going to get better. If you’re experiencing heavy morning sickness, you may not want to fly.

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The other part about flying in the early stages is the risk of blood clots. Sitting for long periods increases the risk of clots, and pregnant women have more of a risk already because of growing that human.

In addition to those setbacks about flying while in the first part of pregnancy, if a woman miscarries, it will most likely happen during the first trimester. Most pregnant women like to get through the first twelve weeks before doing anything.

If you do travel at this time

If you do fly at this point, especially if you have a flight longer than a few hours, drink water constantly and move your legs as much as possible

Second trimester travel

The second trimester  is the sweet spot. You are still pretty mobile, your energy has gone up a bit, and the morning sickness should have stopped by now.

You still need to think about the blood clot issue when flying. Make sure to flex your feet, wiggle those toes, and do a little runway walk every 30 minutes or so during the flight. But other than that, traveling while pregnant during this time should be a stress-free experience.

Third trimester travel

Here is when things get tricky. Once you hit the third trimester, not only may you not feel like doing the whole flying production, but you might not be allowed to.

If you’re pregnant with no complications and have no risks, you could be allowed to fly up to week 37. But you may need to get a note from your doctor saying you have the all-clear. The note usually states when your due date is and that you have no known complications.

Additional third trimester cautions

If you’re having twins, that travel marker could go down to week 32. Depending on the airline, you might need a note from your doctor to be allowed to board as early as week 28. This isn’t to single out pregnant people, but everyone carries the weight so differently, and airlines need to cover their bases.

Once you have what trimester you’ll be at when you travel worked out, see if any of these additional tips would be helpful before you leave.

Traveling abroad

If you’re flying out of the country, you might need vaccinations, but you can’t get certain ones while pregnant. Talk with your doctor, as any vaccinations that use live bacteria are a no-go for pregnant people. Before you book a ticket anywhere, chat with your doctor about the vaccine situation to see if it’s safe.

If you’re a high-risk pregnancy

Unfortunately, if you have certain diseases or pregnancy risks like gestational diabetes or preeclampsia, your doctor may not allow you to fly after around the halfway point. If you or your doctor have had concerns about your pregnancy, talk it out before you make travel plans. If you already had something booked, see what the rules are about medical conditions to get reimbursed or credited for the flight.

Flying doesn’t trigger birth

No matter where you are in pregnancy, know that it’s not the flying itself that could trigger you to go into labor. It’s not the change in air pressure or turbulence. Even if you have a textbook healthy pregnancy, you could just go into labor during your travels. It happens all the time, but it’s not the plane’s fault.

Doing any traveling while pregnant might seem like an exhausting task, but with the right tips, it can be perfectly healthy to do so — and even fun. Know where you are in your pregnancy and run things past your doctor if you’re unsure. Know the airline’s guidelines about flying while pregnant, drink plenty of water , keep your documents in order, move those limbs, and you’ll have a great trip.

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One-syllable girl names are perfect for parents who are looking for something clean, classic, and simple. Many parents who have longer last names often choose a one-syllable first name to give some balance to their daughter's name, while others prefer a shorter name because it lessens the likelihood that it will be shortened.

Many struggle with finding the perfect name for their child, only for it to evolve into some shortened version or catchy nickname. If you love the idea of a strong, sweet, and simple, one-syllable name for your daughter, we've got some great ones to choose from.

After the initial shock of finding out you're going to have a new human in the house wears off, your mind shifts to thinking about all the stuff you need to buy. You start making a list of things, and it grows and grows until you want to cry like a baby yourself.

But then you remember you could create a baby registry, and that will take the stress away. Or will it? Does walking through various stores or browsing endlessly online to create the perfect baby registry help the parents-to-be? Or does it create more stress of needing to have everything you want for the baby thought out and planned earlier? 

If you're expecting a baby girl this year, you may have started making your list of possible names. It's a task that can seem overwhelming to some expectant parents because choosing the perfect name for your baby girl can seem a bit daunting.

People often consider how the first name will flow with the last name, what the initials will be, and whether they want to choose a family name. You may be looking for something unique or may be happy with something more classic or trendy. If you're looking for some name inspiration, we've got six cute girl names to consider for your baby in 2024.

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Florida Abortion Ban to Take Effect, Cutting Off Major Access Point

The state has dozens of clinics that serve tens of thousands of women a year, including from across the Southeast. The six-week ban will require most to travel much farther.

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By Patricia Mazzei

Reporting from Miami

Florida has long played a significant role in the American abortion landscape, with dozens of clinics providing the procedure to tens of thousands of residents a year while also taking in patients from across the Southeast.

That era will end, at least for now, on Wednesday, when a ban on most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy will take effect. The strict new law will replace a 15-week ban and require most Floridians and other Southerners seeking the procedure to travel to Virginia or farther.

Almost every other state in the region banned or sharply restricted abortion after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022; many had few abortion providers even before the ruling. North Carolina still allows abortions up to 12 weeks , but with a 72-hour waiting period that makes it a less practical option for out-of-state patients.

“The surrounding states have been desperate to find a place to go within a reasonable distance,” said Kelly Flynn, the president and chief executive of A Woman’s Choice, a network of abortion clinics, including one in Jacksonville, Fla., “and we have been that place.”

Instead of the number of abortions in Florida decreasing after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the 15-week ban into law in April 2022, as proponents had hoped, it went up because more patients were coming from Southern states with more restrictions or near-total bans.

Florida, the third-largest state by population, has about 50 clinics and last year provided some 84,000 abortions; nearly 8,000 of them were for women from outside the state. Until July 2022, Florida allowed abortions until about 24 weeks.

“We don’t want to be an abortion tourism destination,” Mr. DeSantis, a Republican, said last year .

Lawmakers and Mr. DeSantis approved the six-week ban in April 2023, when the governor was preparing to run for president. His message to Republican primary voters focused on how he had reshaped Florida’s political identity , turning it from a swing state to a beacon of right-wing policy. His campaign failed , but the policies remained.

The six-week ban was conditioned on the Florida Supreme Court first upholding the 15-week ban, which abortion rights groups had challenged. The conservative court did so on April 1, starting a 30-day countdown for the six-week ban to become law.

The new law provides exceptions for abortions to take place up to 15 weeks for pregnancies that result from rape, incest or human trafficking, though women would be required to show documentation such as a restraining order, medical record or police report. There are also exceptions to save the life of the woman and, before the third trimester, for fatal fetal abnormalities.

The law also prohibits doctors from prescribing medication abortions through telehealth and dispensing the pills by mail. Medical professionals who violate any part of the ban could face criminal penalties.

Many women do not realize that they are pregnant by the sixth week, so backers of abortion rights say the new law will represent a near-total prohibition — exactly the shutdown of access that they worried would happen when Roe was overturned.

Unlike Florida, many Southern states had few abortion clinics left even before that ruling. When Texas, the nation’s second most populous state, banned the procedure at six weeks in 2021, it had about 20 clinics that provided about 50,000 abortions a year, significantly fewer than Florida.

The six-week ban is “going to protect thousands of unborn children,” said John Stemberger, the president of Liberty Counsel Action, an anti-abortion lobbying group.

He said Florida has almost 200 anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers, which sometimes provide pregnant women with ultrasounds and baby supplies. That is about four times the number of the state’s abortion clinics, which are mostly clustered around big cities. Mr. Stemberger said he has worked with anti-abortion groups to expand the centers’ capacities.

“There’s going to be an increased demand for their services,” he said. “We want to communicate to mothers who are abortion-minded that there are options.”

Abortion providers and nonprofit funds that help women pay for abortions in Florida have spent the last year preparing for this moment.

Between 2018 and 2023, about 60 percent of abortions in Florida happened after six weeks of pregnancy, according to state data .

Clinics are scheduling ultrasounds earlier and ramping up other health care services to try to stay open. Funds are training volunteers to plan travel for patients to Illinois, Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. (North Carolina is closer but its waiting period to get the procedure makes it a less feasible destination.)

All of the changes could prove temporary: A ballot measure in November will ask Florida voters whether to amend the constitution to allow abortions until about 24 weeks. It will require more than 60 percent support to pass, a high threshold, and it would not take effect until January, assuming that lawmakers or anti-abortion groups did not challenge it in court .

For now, Florida will have to adjust to being another Southern state where abortions are extremely rare.

“We’re going to be an abortion desert,” said Michelle Quesada, a spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood of South, East and North Florida, which operates eight clinics in the state. (Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida operates another nine clinics.) “It’s going to be really challenging for patients.”

Ms. Quesada said that after the Florida Supreme Court ruling clinics called patients scheduled to be seen in May and moved up their appointments. Out-of-state patients have been sent as far south as Miami — more than 600 miles from the Georgia and Alabama borders — because wait times in Tallahassee and Jacksonville, in the northern part of the state, have been two or three weeks, she added.

In the last year, abortion clinics have added other services, including prenatal care and adoption referrals. They have also seen an increase in patients requesting contraception, Ms. Quesada said, including vasectomies for men in their 30s and 40s.

Dr. Marian Sampson, an obstetrician and gynecologist who provides abortions for Planned Parenthood’s clinics in Fort Myers and Naples, on Florida’s Gulf Coast, said that over the past two weeks, “pretty much every appointment slot is double booked every day.”

Inevitably, clinics will be far less busy under the six-week ban, said Nikki Madsen, the co-executive director of the Abortion Care Network, a national association of independent abortion clinics that had 36 members in Florida as of last year.

“The number of patients those clinics will see will drastically plummet,” she said. “When a clinic closes, it’s incredibly difficult to reopen.”

Clinics and abortion funds said that, unlike in the months after Roe was overturned, they have not seen an uptick in contributions since the ruling allowing the six-week ban. That is most likely because donors are focused on funding the November ballot measure.

“While that is a positive thing if it passes, there’s a lot of time between May 1 and January when that would go into effect,” said McKenna Kelley, who is on the board of the Tampa Bay Abortion Fund. “We are doing the work day in and day out.”

Not only will it be more expensive for funds to help patients now that they have to also pay for their travel, but some people may find the plane travel that can be required overwhelming, said Jessica Hatem, the executive director of the Emergency Medical Assistance Abortion Fund in West Palm Beach. The fund was founded in 1972, pre-Roe, to help women in Florida go to New York for legal abortions.

“When we are sending people on a plane, generally it’s their first time flying,” she said. “When we’re sending Southerners to the North in the middle of winter, people don’t have coats.”

It is hard to predict just how much the number of abortions performed in Florida will drop after Wednesday, said Isaac Maddow-Zimet, a data scientist at the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive health research group that supports abortion rights.

Researchers found that abortions declined by about 50 percent in Texas and Georgia after those states’ six-week bans took effect. South Carolina had a much steeper drop-off — about 71 percent, he said — in part because so many women had been traveling there for abortions from other states. The South Carolina Supreme Court upheld a six-week ban law in August.

“Every state,” Mr. Maddow-Zimet said, “has ripple effects through every other state.”

Patricia Mazzei is the lead reporter for The Times in Miami, covering Florida and Puerto Rico. More about Patricia Mazzei

Male Boss ?

I travel about 25% of the time for work. I stopped traveling when I found out I was pregnant (I was high risks from the start and frankly have terrible flight anxiety). My boss (male) asked me today if I was ‘excited to start traveling again once I returned from maternity leave.’ After HE just told me I don’t have to travel for a year after I return from maternity leave, and then pressed me to tell him if I thought I would travel before the year deadline... don’t get me started on HIM continuously asking me if I plan on returning to the company after maternity leave.

I wanted to politely say ‘f - no’ but I sort of lied and said, oh yeah. In my mind, he probably won’t see me in-person until the end of 2025… I’ll skip the hotel bar connects and ‘team bonding’ outings . ��

i don’t have a male boss, but one on my older female bosses isn’t much better. she is all work, little to no play. she just asked me to attend an event on a friday afternoon 2 weeks before my due date, on a day i’m scheduled to work from home. she also had the audacity to ask me to reschedule my doctor appointment for next monday since we have someone coming to the office for a lunch meeting. i want to screammmm and i guess i expect her to know i’m phasing out before leave and work is not my priority right now and i’m 4 weeks away from my due date. my fiancé thinks they’re testing me and they have also asked me several times if i’m sure i plan to return to work after maternity leave. it’s so frustrating.

you’re right it is different for everyone. I loved to travel to get breaks from my kiddos, but they were older and not a newborn.

I just hadn’t really thought that far ahead and don’t need to be pressed about it every time we sync. Especially if you’re telling me I have a year grace period.

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What Travel Insurance Will (And Won't) Cover During Pregnancy

W hen you're pregnant and have travel plans within the U.S., your health plan will typically provide medical coverage. However, if you're scheduled to go abroad, you should look into what kind of coverage your health plan provides, if any, and consider getting travel insurance . Having travel insurance can help take care of your anxieties about unplanned scenarios, especially medical issues.

How much your travel insurance will shoulder depends on your provider. According to Forbes , travel insurance coverage for medical expenses can range from $100,000 (and sometimes less) up to as much as $500,000 per person. Some travel insurance even offer $1 million in medical evacuation.

Note, however, that while travel insurance can cover pregnancy complications, it will not pay for any issues related to normal pregnancy or any pre-existing conditions. Another caveat is that an insurance company might define the term "complications of pregnancy" differently from another. To know what your travel insurance actually covers and how much it will reimburse you, your best bet is to read the fine print.

Travel Insurance Coverage Before Your Travel Date

There's a reason we advise against buying your travel insurance at the last minute . In this case, if you were to purchase travel insurance and then find out you're pregnant and no longer want to go, you can cancel your trip with ease of mind, thanks to your insurance policy's coverage. Providers usually accept pregnancy complications, such as nephrosis or a non-elective cesarean section, and other pregnancy-related medical emergencies as valid reasons for the cancellation. The complication or emergency must be existing and not one that could be a potential issue. To file a claim, just provide proof that your pregnancy came after you bought the insurance policy, as well as documentation about your pregnancy complication or other pregnancy-related medical emergency, and they will likely reimburse your trip costs.

On the other hand, when you buy your travel insurance after getting pregnant, you forfeit this benefit, as normal pregnancies and their related issues, such as morning sickness, are not typically covered. Again, check your policy for the specific complications covered.

Travel Insurance Coverage During Your Travel

Your travel insurance will typically pay for any expenses related to illness or injury during your trip. This includes emergency services, including ambulance service and hospitalization costs. It will also cover related lab tests, X-rays, prescription medicines, and surgeries. Check your insurance policy for the amount of coverage or limits.

In addition, when you experience pregnancy-related complications during your trip and this is covered by your policy, you might also be able to file for a trip interruption insurance claim. This will allow you to cut your travels short and hop on a flight home. The claim will cover your flight and prepaid nonrefundable trip costs.

Moreover, if you gave birth abroad and experienced complications during delivery, your travel insurance can also reimburse you for the associated costs. Again, check your policy on how it defines "complications of pregnancy." Compensation will also vary depending on your particular policy. And, if you have emergency medical evacuation insurance, you can request to be transported to the nearest facility with adequate medical care or back to the U.S, if necessary.

What Travel Insurance Will Not Cover During Pregnancy

As already mentioned, cancellation due to issues related to a normal pregnancy like morning sickness will not be covered by your travel insurance. Neither will cancellation due to pregnancy-related complications be honored if you bought the policy after you got pregnant. In addition, if the airline crew barred you from taking your flight, that won't be covered by your travel insurance as well. Make sure you're familiar with your airline's policies regarding pregnant passengers to avoid this scenario.

Moreover, some travel insurance policies may exclude other pregnancy-related issues, such as childbirth costs, physical exam expenses, fertility treatment costs, and more from reimbursement. Check your policy about this. If you have any pre-existing conditions like asthma or high blood pressure, your travel insurance will most likely not cover these either. This may include any pregnancy-related complications that are due to your pre-existing conditions. Most travel insurance also does not compensate expenses related to normal pregnancy care or normal delivery costs. So, if you gave birth abroad without complications, expect to pay out of pocket for that, as well as for the cost of staying there until your baby is allowed to fly.

Add-Ons That Widen Travel Insurance Coverage

Other than what the typical travel insurance will cover, there are a couple add-ons that will compensate you for things a typical policy might not. These are the pre-existing medical condition waiver and "cancel for any reason" coverage .

An exclusion waiver is a clause in your travel insurance policy that allows you to apply for claims for your pre-existing conditions. Symptoms of an injury, illness, or other medical condition, including taking medication or seeking treatment because of these symptoms, which you experienced within 60 to 180 days before buying your travel insurance typically constitutes a pre-existing condition. This might include some pregnancy complications, but check with your travel insurance provider to be sure. Normal pregnancy and childbirth costs, however, are not covered by this exclusion waiver. You must file this exclusion waiver within two to three weeks from your first deposit, and if you qualify, you don't have to make additional payments.

Unlike the exclusion waiver, the "cancel for any reason" (CFAR) coverage comes at a price – about half the cost of your policy. However, it can pay for up to three-fourths of nonrefundable trip costs if you canceled your travels — for any reason — within 48 hours of your departure time. And, similar to the exclusion waiver, you should also request for this add-on to your travel insurance within two weeks from your first deposit.

Read this next: Your Complete Guide To All The Airline Classes

New Florida abortion law to bring major changes as of Wednesday

TALLAHASSEE — Florida abortion providers and activists are girding for a law that will take effect Wednesday and prevent abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, severely limiting access to abortion for women in the state and across the Southeast.

“It’s been pretty chaotic,” Michelle Quesada, a spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood of South, East, and North Florida, told The News Service of Florida on Monday.

Planned Parenthood clinics “have been packed” in the days leading up to the six-week limit, Quesada said.

While providers rushed to see as many patients as possible before Wednesday, abortion-rights supporters also were bolstering efforts to help women travel out-of-state to obtain the procedure.

The Republican-controlled Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2023 approved the six-week limit, building on a 2022 law that banned abortions after 15 weeks. The Florida Supreme Court recently upheld the 2022 law, also clearing the way for the six-week limit to take effect.

The closest places for women in Florida to obtain abortions after six weeks will be at least a day’s travel by car. North Carolina allows abortions until 12 weeks of pregnancy but requires a 72-hour, in-person waiting period. In Illinois, abortions are allowed until “viability” of the fetus, which means the fetus can survive outside of the mother’s womb. Virginia bans abortions after 26 weeks and six days of pregnancy.

The 2023 Florida law includes exceptions for victims of rape, incest and human trafficking, with women needing to show documentation. The law also includes exceptions to save the life of the mother, requiring two doctors to certify in writing a “medical necessity” for abortion “to save the pregnant woman’s life or avert a serious risk of imminent substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function of the pregnant woman.” An exception also exists for fatal fetal abnormalities, until the third trimester. The exception also requires certification by two doctors.

Abortion-rights supporters maintain that the exceptions are impractical.

Rachel Humphrey, a high-risk pregnancy specialist who is a maternal-fetal medicine physician based in Orlando, said she recently saw a patient who was about 18 weeks pregnant and whose fetus was diagnosed with trisomy 18, a condition that carries multiple, severe birth anomalies. Trisomy 18 affects about one in 5,000 pregnancies, with the vast majority of babies not surviving beyond one month after delivery and fewer than 10 percent living about a year, Humphrey said.

“She got the diagnosis at the same time that most people get the diagnosis, which is 18 to 20 weeks, which is beyond the 15-week ban,” Humphrey said.

The doctor said she determined the patient was not eligible for an abortion because Humphrey could not say how long the baby would live after delivery and because the mother’s life was not in danger.

“She ended up carrying that pregnancy for about 10 more weeks and the baby died inside of her belly from the issues,” Humphrey said. “Staying pregnant really shouldn't have been something that she was forced to do. It happened that she didn’t have the liberty to get the medical care that she needed.”

Amber Gavin, vice president of advocacy and operations for A Woman’s Choice, which has clinics in Jacksonville, North Carolina and Virginia, called the exceptions unworkable.

“If you are a victim of rape, you have to prove to us that you are a victim in order for there to be exception. Many people don’t report, so there’s no exception to be made if you don’t report it to the police,” she said.

The state also requires women to wait 24 hours after seeing doctors in person before they can obtain abortions, a law that passed in 2015 but was on hold until 2022 due to legal wrangling.

The waiting period coupled with the requirement for two physicians to certify the need for an abortion can result in potentially deadly delays, abortion-rights supporters contend.

“She has a 24-hour waiting period once she meets a doctor, and from there, she’s going to have to find two physicians to sign off, saying her health risk is substantial. That’s a delay in care, at which point, she could develop an infection, which could threaten her life or at least her ability to get pregnant in the future,” Daniel Noah Sacks, an obstetrician and gynecologist based in Palm Beach County, told the News Service.

Sacks pointed to a patient who is 15 weeks pregnant and whose water broke Monday but was unable to undergo the requisite examinations to trigger the 24-hour waiting period in time to receive an abortion before the new law goes into effect.

“Every situation from here forward has that problem,” Sacks said. “These laws really hurt women, especially women who have no means, but even women who have means, it affects negatively.”

The Legislature’s passage of the six-week limit — and the Supreme Court’s April 1 decision that allowed it to take effect — were major victories for abortion opponents. The 2023 law was titled the “Heartbeat Protection Act” because supporters said a fetal heartbeat can be detected at about six weeks.

Lawmakers also have provided money to centers across the state that offer services to pregnant women and try to prevent abortions.

“We are able to embrace them and help them,” Grazie Christie, medical director of the Pregnancy Help Centers of the Archdiocese of Miami, told the News Service. “Many times, all they need really is support, like the spiritual, psychological, and loving support of someone who says, ‘It’s hard, but we are here for you, and we can help you.’”

But critics of the six-week limit hope it will help galvanize support for a ballot proposal aimed at putting abortion rights in the state Constitution. Separately from the decision allowing the six-week limit to take effect, the Supreme Court on April 1 also ruled that the proposed constitutional amendment met legal requirements to be placed on the November ballot.

Despite a series of restrictions imposed by the Republican-controlled Legislature over the years, Florida — with about 50 abortion clinics statewide — has been what is known as a “receiving” state for people from other parts of the country with more stringent abortion laws, including other states in the Southeast.

In 2023, 84,052 abortions were performed in Florida, according to the state Agency for Health Care Administration. The vast majority — 76,422 were performed in the first trimester, or until 12 weeks of gestation, according to the state agency.

The number is expected to plummet. A similar South Carolina law resulted in a 71 percent decrease in abortions, according to Kimya Forouzan, principal state policy associate at the Guttmacher Institute, which collects abortion data.

The new law is intensifying pressure on organizations like Palm Beach County-based Emergency Medical Assistance, or EMA, which is part of a national network of about 100 groups collaborating to provide financial aid and other services to women seeking abortions. Funds are used to cover the costs of flights, hotels, transportation and meals, said Jessica Hatem, executive director of EMA.

Her group has sent people to North Carolina and coordinates with abortion providers in Illinois, the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. area and Virginia.

“This is kind of a we’re-all-holding-our-breath moment that we’re in,” Hatem said. “It’s going to be a huge lift. No one should have to leave their community to obtain an abortion, but it’s not as if people's needs are going to go unmet.”

Mona Reis, the founder of Presidential Women’s Center in West Palm Beach, began working in Miami’s first outpatient abortion clinic in 1973, a day after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision. Reis, who recently held a fundraiser for EMA at her home, told the News Service she “can’t cut it out of my heart.”

“It’s just everything that I believe in as far as women having equality and opportunity, it starts with being able to control when or whether you want to be a parent. That’s paramount for me. And I want women to have every affordable opportunity and you are not able to when you don't have the ability to do this, and to have it with dignity and respect,” Reis said.

— News Service Assignment Manager Tom Urban contributed to this story.

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Florida's 6-week abortion ban is now in effect, curbing access across the South

Stephanie Colombini

Thousands of abortion rights protesters rallied in Tampa on Oct. 2, 2021. Stephanie Colombini/WUSF hide caption

Thousands of abortion rights protesters rallied in Tampa on Oct. 2, 2021.

TAMPA, Fla. — Starting today, people can no longer access legal abortions in Florida beyond six weeks of pregnancy, except in rare circumstances.

The restriction replaces a 15-week ban that's been in effect since July 2022, shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade .

Abortion rights supporters say it will dramatically curb access to the procedure for thousands of residents in Florida and around the South. Proponents of the ban say it "protects life."

Abortion rights on the ballot may not be bad news for Republicans everywhere

Voters will have a say on the matter in November when a proposal to enshrine abortion rights into the state constitution will appear on the election ballot. Regardless of what happens this fall, the ban could have far-reaching effects.

Opponents of the ban stress that many people don't realize they are pregnant at six weeks. But for those that do, abortion services remain available in the state until that time frame.

Abortion care providers in the state like Planned Parenthood are doing ultrasounds earlier and have extended their hours to accommodate as many patients as they can.

"We want to be able to help everyone with information in order to access care as quickly as possible," says Barbara Zdravecky, interim CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida.

Still, she expects many patients will be too far along when they reach out for help.

"The emotional turmoil that's going to happen, the anger, the fear, the anxiety is going to be great," says Zdravecky, who adds centers are ramping up support staff to respond to patients' concerns and help them navigate their options.

Adding to scheduling challenges are Florida's 24-hour mandatory waiting period and a ban on using telemedicine for abortions. Patients have to attend two in-person appointments, one for a consultation and another for the procedure at least one day later.

The South loses a major abortion access point

An examination room in a clinic that provides abortion care on April 30, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption

An examination room in a clinic that provides abortion care on April 30, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla.

Florida joins eleven other states in the South that have already severely restricted abortion in recent years, either with six-week bans or total bans. Residents in those places have relied on Florida to access the procedure.

Out-of-state residents fueled a steady increase in abortions in Florida despite the 15-week ban. Nearly 8,000 people traveled to the state last year for abortions, according to data from the state Agency for Health Care Administration. That's nearly 10% of all patients.

"We don't want to be an abortion tourism destination," Gov. Ron DeSantis said last fall .

Florida is no longer an option for the rest of the region. North Carolina allows abortions until 12 weeks of pregnancy, but has a 72-hour mandatory waiting period with in-person requirements, so it isn't always a viable alternative.

Shots - Health News

How florida and arizona supreme court rulings change the abortion access map.

Instead, advocates that help people access abortions are advising them to travel further to places like Virginia, Illinois or Washington, D.C. That will become increasingly difficult if clinics in states with expanded abortion access struggle to accommodate the influx of patients.

"We're estimating about 90% of our callers are going to need to go out-of-state and that we'll have a large increase in callers because this is going to be a whole new cost for people seeking abortions," says McKenna Kelley, a volunteer board member with the Tampa Bay Abortion Fund.

Abortion funds can help pregnant people cover the cost of abortion procedures and relieve some of the logistical challenges associated with seeking care. But paying for flights, hotel stays and other expenses associated with long-distance travel is much more challenging than giving someone a ride to a nearby clinic.

While what Kelley calls "rage donations" poured in from supporters angry about the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision in 2022, abortion funds say Florida's recent ban hasn't been met with the same response. Organizers fear they won't be able to help everyone in need, but say funds are working together to form a stronger support network around the country.

Even with assistance, travel may not be an option for some people, which means they may choose to self-manage their abortions or carry unwanted pregnancies to term.

"This truly is an American health care crisis," says Zdravecky with Planned Parenthood.

Supporters of the ban suggest pregnancy centers that oppose abortion as alternatives

Orlando Police officers move back anti-abortion rights protesters near the "Rally to Stop the Six-Week Abortion Ban" in Orlando, Fla., on April 13, 2024. Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption

Orlando Police officers move back anti-abortion rights protesters near the "Rally to Stop the Six-Week Abortion Ban" in Orlando, Fla., on April 13, 2024.

Opponents of abortion rights in Florida advocated for the state's six-week ban and have also been busy gearing up for its implementation.

"Our position is we need to protect unborn children, we need to celebrate life, protect life, that's the chief role of government," says John Stemberger, president of Liberty Counsel Action, a religious liberty organization that supports abortion bans.

The group has been briefing the nearly 200 crisis pregnancy centers in Florida about the law and how to prepare for a potential increase in demand for services, he says.

These centers are usually run by faith-based organizations. They encourage pregnant women not to get abortions and to consider parenting or adoption instead. They sometimes offer free ultrasounds or baby supplies.

"We really want to appeal to young mothers or even older mothers who are in what we'd consider a crisis pregnancy to basically think differently about the issue," says Stemberger.

The law that imposes the six-week abortion ban also increased funding for pregnancy centers to $25 million, up from roughly $4 million in 2022.

Some crisis pregnancy centers have been known to provide people with misleading or inaccurate medical information. There have also been calls for more oversight.

Adoption services in the state are also preparing to support more birth mothers who may choose that option.

Florida's six-week ban includes exceptions for some vulnerable communities and when a mother or fetus' life is in danger.

Survivors of rape, incest or human trafficking can access abortions until 15 weeks of pregnancy under the new law, but it mandates they provide documentation, such as a police report or medical record, and providers may be obligated to report the crime in some cases.

Many survivors don't feel safe or comfortable reporting assaults, says Stephanie Loraine Piñeiro, executive director of the abortion fund Florida Access Network. She calls the requirements "unrealistic" and "incredibly cruel."

As with the previous 15-week ban, there are exceptions to save the pregnant person's life or avert "substantial and irreversible" bodily harm. Patients can also access abortions until the third trimester if physicians detect the fetus has a fatal abnormality.

Voters can weigh in on the ban in November

Supporters of President Joe Biden cheer as they await his speech about reproductive freedom at Hillsborough Community College-Dale Mabry Campus in Tampa, Fla., on April 23, 2024. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

Supporters of President Joe Biden cheer as they await his speech about reproductive freedom at Hillsborough Community College-Dale Mabry Campus in Tampa, Fla., on April 23, 2024.

On the same day that it upheld the 15-week ban, which allowed the six-week ban to go into effect, the Florida Supreme Court also allowed a proposal to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution to remain on the November ballot.

If passed, Amendment 4 would allow abortion access in Florida until fetal viability, which is usually around 24 weeks, "or when necessary to protect the patient's health, as determined by the patient's healthcare provider."

Supporters and opponents of abortion rights have made it a priority moving forward.

"It's critical that we turn out the vote this fall for people to protect their freedoms. The [state] Supreme Court has basically put this issue in the voters' hands," says Florida House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell, a Democrat.

President Joe Biden made abortion the focus of a visit to Tampa last Monday , while Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to talk about it in Jacksonville on Wednesday.

Opponents of the ballot initiative call it a "radical, no-limits" abortion amendment and are campaigning against it.

"Prop 4, the abortion lobby's dream amendment, is extremely misleading," says Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser in a statement following President Biden's visit to Tampa.

The wording of the proposal was at the heart of the state's legal challenge to the effort. Attorney General Ashley Moody argued it would confuse voters. But in its 4-3 opinion, the state Supreme Court wrote that the proposal was "plainly stated in terms that clearly and unambiguously reflect the text of the proposed amendment."

The increased attention on the ballot initiative is appreciated, says Megan Jeyifo, executive director of the Chicago Abortion Fund, which has been working with partners in Florida to help patients travel to the Midwest for care. But she worries people may devote all their resources to getting that passed and forget the pregnant people affected by the ban now.

"Because [Amendment 4] will be won on the backs of those people, you know it will be won, and people will give birth when they didn't want to," she says.

Other states have successfully passed ballot initiatives to protect abortion rights, but none had quite as high a threshold as Florida. For Amendment 4 to pass, 60% of voters need to approve it.