Pregnancy is a beautiful and special phase, but it does come with its own set of concerns and hurdles. Traveling safely can be a significant worry for many expectant parents.

In this post, we’ll share all the tips you need to know to travel comfortably during pregnancy, including what you should do before, during, and after your flight. Plus, we’ll also answer some frequently asked questions.

However, prior to making any travel arrangements, it’s recommended that you consult your obstetrician and adhere to their recommendations. You may be advised to avoid certain destinations, such as:

• High-altitude places
• Places where food-borne or insect-borne infections are spreading (e.g. Zika virus)
• Malaria-prone areas
• Areas where live-virus vaccines are needed or recommended

Without further ado, let’s get started.

Pre-flight

Along with your flight ticket and passport, it’s important to consider some additional items when you’re pregnant. We suggest you bring:

• A note from your doctor, stating your due date and giving you the all-clear to travel. This is especially important if you’re over 28 weeks pregnant.
• Medical records related to your pregnancy or general health
• Healthy snacks, such as dried fruit and vegetables. If you tend to feel nauseous, it’s a great idea to bring whole-grain toast or crackers.
• A first-aid kit with medication for minor pregnancy issues, like heartburn, piles, and headaches.
• Travel insurance that covers you during pregnancy.

During Your Flight

Flights increase the risk of developing blood clots, therefore, it is recommended that you to:

• Stretch
• Stay Hydrated

Let’s take a closer look

1. Stretch during your flight

Pregnant women are more likely to experience blood clots, and sitting for a prolonged period increases that risk. So, it’s essential to stretch.

It is advised to get up every few hours and walk for five minutes. If you have the chance, book an aisle seat at the bulkhead, it will give you more space and make it easier for you to move around. Additionally, wearing compression socks during your flight can help you avoid swelling, blood clots, and more.

2. Stay Hydrated

Since aircrafts have low humidity, this can also increase the risk of developing blood clots. Therefore, make sure to stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of water as well as avoiding caffeine and sugary drinks. You should drink a glass of water every hour or so.

After Your Flight and During Your Trip

If you’re hesitant about your destination’s basic hygiene and water purity, we advise you to steer clear of:

• Fruit and veggies that can’t be peeled
• Unpasteurized milk
• Cheese
• Paté
• Raw eggs
• Liver
• Undercooked meat

Moreover, traveling is a great opportunity to explore, but be mindful about not overbooking yourself. Considering that your energy levels may be lower while you’re pregnant, it’s better to plan an itinerary that includes breaks and downtime.

FAQs About flying during pregnancy

1. Which Month Is Safe to Travel During Pregnancy?

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the best time to travel is during the middle of your pregnancy, between weeks 14 and 28. In general, pregnant women can travel safely until 36 weeks into their pregnancy.

This is mainly because the most common pregnancy problems occur during the first and third trimesters. In your second semester, motion sickness is usually gone, energy levels are back to normal, and you can still move around easily. Plus, the chances of a miscarriage or premature labor are significantly lower.

2. How To Manage Air Sickness and Nausea?

If you tend to feel nauseous during your pregnancy, you may be concerned about air sickness during your flight.

Some ways to manage it include:

• Choose a seat that is close to the middle wing of the plane, it will give you a smoother ride.
• Eat light meals, you can always ask for special meals in advance from the airline.
• Drink small quantities of water, but do it at regular intervals to keep yourself hydrated
• Use over-the-counter drugs that have benadryl (dipehnhydramine) or dramamine (dimehydrinate); they’re low-risk for pregnant women.

3. What Happens If You Get COVID While Pregnant?

According to the CDC, pregnant and recently pregnant women have higher chances of getting severely ill from COVID. Pregnancy triggers physiological changes within the body that could potentially make you more vulnerable to serious respiratory infections, like COVID-19. These physiological alterations might persist even after the pregnancy period.

Moreover, COVID during pregnancy can also bring complications such as preterm labor or stillborn infants. This is why it is so important to stay vigilant about COVID as you travel. What’s more, some destinations still require a COVID test to enter the country.

Need a COVID test while abroad? No matter where you are, or what type of test you need, find testing locations near you with our international directory.