The Ultimate Guide to Traveling While Pregnant

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After more than a year of limited travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you may find yourself among the many people who are itching for a vacation. Travel safety has been top-of-mind for many travelers amid the pandemic, but especially for pregnant women.

If you’re pregnant and considering travel, you may be asking yourself, “Is traveling while pregnant safe?” Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, traveling while pregnant was rarely restricted unless a woman was nearing her due date, facing complications, or was traveling to an area with an infectious disease risk (such as Malaria and Zika). However, it’s important to understand the current risks associated with traveling while pregnant so that you’re well prepared and are able to make the choice that’s right for you.

Is it safe for women to travel while pregnant?
Generally, it’s safe for pregnant women to travel until they’re 36 weeks pregnant. However, you should always consult with your doctor prior to planning any travel. If you have pregnancy complications, such as gestational diabetes or multiple pregnancies, you may be advised not to travel by plane.

This year, it’s also important to take extra precautions to protect you and your baby from COVID-19. With the pandemic still looming and new virus variants making headlines, you should take precautions such as wearing a mask and consult with your doctor for recommended preventative care.

When can I travel while pregnant?
We recommend trying to plan travel during your second trimester, because during this period women tend to face less morning sickness, have greater mobility, and their highest levels of energy. Nonetheless, remember that every woman is different and you may find that traveling is easier or more difficult during certain phases of pregnancy than others.

What are the dangers commonly associated with traveling while pregnant?
The most common risk for pregnant travelers is Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), a condition in which a blood clot forms in the veins (usually the legs) that can lead to other dangerous conditions. Research suggests that any type of travel - whether by plane, car, train, or boat - lasting more than 4 hours can double a person’s risk of getting DVT. Being pregnant increases the risk of DVT as well, which is why it’s often viewed as the biggest risk for expecting mothers.

Additionally, traveling by plane during the last few weeks of one’s pregnancy risks inducing premature labor. Be sure to consult with a doctor prior to late-term travel and have the necessary medical backups in place in case of unexpected emergencies. 

How can I safely travel as a pregnant person?
While there’s never a guarantee of 100% safety, there are simple things you can do to limit health risks. If you’re planning on taking a long trip, there are tons of ways you can lower your health risks while traveling, such as:

  • Drinking lots of fluids & staying hydrated

  • Walking and stretching at regular intervals

    • BONUS TIP: If you’re on an airplane, try seeking out seats that have extra leg room or sitting in an aisle seat. It will allow you to move your legs more easily and ease out of the aisle for bathroom breaks. 

  • Wearing compression socks to help prevent blood clots

  • Pack a pregnancy travel kit (we’ve listed our go-to travel list below!)

  • Wear your seatbelt - both in a car and on a plane - under your bump and across your lap

The Ultimate Pregnancy Travel Kit: 

We’ve rounded up our go-to list of things to pack when you are taking a trip while pregnant:

  • Compression Socks

  • Prenatal Vitamins

  • Oral rehydration tablets

  • Nausea remedies

  • Reusable bottle (The bigger the bottle, the better!)

  • Travel medical kit

  • Travel pillow

  • A list of emergency medical care options and phone numbers in your destination (just in case)


Psst… looking for ways to indulge a little on your trip? Check out our list of healthy, summer mocktails to try on your next vacation.