10 Best Tips for Traveling While Pregnant

I have been through pregnancy three times and have had the experience of traveling while pregnant each time. Of course, your health and safety (and the health and safe well being of your baby) need to come first when traveling during pregnancy. Be sure to discuss your travel plans with your doctor to ensure you are okay to make your trip and to so in as healthy a way as possible!

It is never a bad idea to invest in travel insurance, but it’s especially wise as a pregnant woman as you never know what may happen and what travel plans may need to change. I think we’ve ALL learned that lesson during the crazy pandemic days of having to rearrange travel plans. It is very important to be in touch with your health care provider while making your travel plans.

1. Plan Your Trip if You Can

If you are able to plan when you will travel then obviously before you get pregnant is the ideal time. Heck, traveling with your hubby while trying to conceive would be ideal 😉 However, if given the option of planning a trip either while pregnant or after the baby is born, I’d always recommend you choose traveling while pregnant. While I’ve never traveled with a new baby, I have traveled when leaving a new baby at home…and pumping is NOT fun. Even further along in pregnancy is easier than not being pregnant and having to revolve all the travel plans around pumping.

I like to bring along my medical records, just in case, as you never know what may happen. Even though I’ve never had a higher risk pregnancy just having that doctor’s note helps me feel at ease if myself or my unborn baby were to need urgent medical attention.

2. Travel During the Second Trimester

I personally believe the second trimester is best as it’s the time period when pregnant women are less likely to have pregnancy complications, preterm labor, or require any medical care rather than traveling in the earlier weeks of pregnancy or closer to delivery date. If I could plan the perfect time to travel while pregnant I’d say 17-20 weeks. The second trimester is the best time to travel if possible.

Here is a comparison of the different stages of pregnancy based on my experiences:

• First Trimester: Earlier on no one can tell you’re pregnant so you don’t get any perks and you’re also experiencing morning sickness/exhaustion etc.
• Second Trimester: You’re far enough into the second trimester to have some energy back, you’re showing a little bit so if you wear tight clothes people can probably tell, and you feel GOOD. No aches and pains yet and just more comfortable overall! Plus far enough along where the flight attendants will dote on you a bit and that never hurts 😉
• Third Trimester: Later in pregnancy it’s OBVIOUS you are pregnant but your body is also worn out, achy, and you are more limited in what you are able to do. I have gone on trips that require flying as late as 33 weeks (yes, I flew to HAWAII in my third trimester!).

3. Pick Your Seat

Most airlines allow you to go online and pick your seats once you have your flight booked. Pick an aisle seat. Preferably not too far from the bathroom. If you can afford the upcharge and are facing a longer flight then it’s a good idea to upgrade to the emergency exit seats or even first-class (a luxury I myself have never enjoyed!). You need to be able to get up and down easily!

If for some reason you aren’t able to choose your seat in advance then as soon as you get to your gate go up to the check-in desk and request a change. Even if it means splitting up from your husband or travel partner, it’s worth it for you to have the most comfortable seat possible.