Travelling while pregnant: when to go, where to go and how to plan

Most people can travel while pregnant, and plenty of people have a lovely babymoon. A bit of planning makes it easier, and a few trips are worth postponing.

When is the best time to travel?

The NHS says some women prefer not to travel in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. It says many find mid-pregnancy, between about 4 and 6 months, is the best time, because late pregnancy can be tiring and uncomfortable. That is a guide, not a rule. How you feel, and how your pregnancy is going, matter more than the calendar.

If you’re flying, airlines set their own cut-off weeks. See flying in pregnancy.

Trips to think twice about

TravelHealthPro, the UK’s travel health service, says some women should be advised against non-essential travel. That includes women with a major obstetric history, poorly controlled or newly diagnosed medical conditions, or plans to go to a malaria area or somewhere with no medical care. If this could be you, speak to your midwife or GP before you book.

Zika areas. Where there are current outbreaks, TravelHealthPro advises pregnant women to postpone non-essential travel until after the pregnancy. See Zika virus and pregnancy.
Malaria areas. Pregnant women are advised to avoid travel to malaria-risk areas. See travel vaccines and malaria in pregnancy.
Places where travel vaccines are needed. The NHS says it’s best to avoid these in pregnancy if you can.
High altitude. See holiday activities, heat and water in pregnancy.
Remote places. After 28 weeks, Fit for Travel says to check that your destination has facilities that can manage complications such as pre-eclampsia and caesarean section.

Planning ahead

Check your pregnancy first. Fit for Travel says to make sure your early pregnancy examinations are done before you travel, to rule out complications. Ask your midwife whether anything about your pregnancy should change your plans.
Take your maternity notes. The NHS says it’s a good idea to take your maternity records (sometimes called handheld notes) with you, and to check what healthcare your destination offers. Also add your midwife or maternity unit’s number to your phone.
Sort your insurance. Tell your insurer you’re pregnant, and check what the policy covers. See travel insurance and health cover abroad.
Ask about vaccines and malaria tablets early. Some are fine in pregnancy and some are not.
Plan for long journeys. The NHS says travel of more than 4 hours carries a small risk of blood clots. On flights, drink water and move around about every 30 minutes. In the car, stop regularly to stretch. Ask a pharmacist about graduated compression stockings. TravelHealthPro adds that if you have other risk factors for blood clots, you should talk to your midwife or doctor, who may advise low molecular weight heparin (an injection) to reduce the risk.
By car. See car journeys, seatbelts and long drives.

Packing

Your maternity notes and any medicines you take, in your hand luggage
Your insurance details and, if it applies to where you’re going, your GHIC
Water, snacks and something to ease nausea if you get travel sickness or morning sickness (see when morning sickness stops)
Comfortable shoes and loose clothes
Any compression stockings your pharmacist has fitted

When to get help

If you’re pregnant and you have any bleeding or spotting, contact your maternity unit, an early pregnancy unit (if you’re under 20 weeks) or NHS 111. Call 999 if the bleeding is heavy or the pain is severe, or if you have a sharp, sudden, intense pain in your tummy and feel very dizzy or faint, feel sick, or look very pale. If you’re abroad, use the local emergency number and ask for medical help.

If your baby’s movements slow down, stop or change, call your midwife or maternity unit straight away, day or night. Don’t wait until the next day, and don’t use a home doppler to check the heartbeat, because hearing a heartbeat doesn’t mean your baby is well. If you’re abroad, go to a local maternity unit or hospital.

Questions people ask

Is it safe to go on holiday while pregnant?

For many people, yes. The NHS says to check your travel insurance and take your maternity notes, and TravelHealthPro advises some women, such as those with a major obstetric history or a newly diagnosed medical condition, against non-essential travel. If you’re not sure, ask your midwife.

Is it safe to travel in the first trimester?

The NHS says some women prefer not to travel in the first 12 weeks. Morning sickness and tiredness can make travel hard, and Fit for Travel says to have your early pregnancy examinations done before you travel. Ask your midwife if you’re unsure.

How far from home should I go?

There’s no set distance. The point is to have access to good medical care. The NHS says to check what healthcare your destination offers, and Fit for Travel says that after 28 weeks you should check facilities can manage complications.

Should I travel in the third trimester?

The NHS says late pregnancy can be tiring and uncomfortable. Airlines and insurers have cut-offs, and you may want to stay close to your maternity team near your due date. Ask your midwife for advice on your situation.