Traveling while Pregnant

I know you might be thinking how can pregnancy be a special need while traveling? Well, if you’ve never traveled pregnant you’d be surprised to learn that especially if you have a high-risk pregnancy there are a few things to consider before going on a trip while pregnant. Join me as I share some insight on things to consider before you go on a trip while pregnant! Babymoons are a fantastic way to get away before a couple welcomes a new baby into the world. I’ll talk about my pregnancies and experiences while traveling and maybe during this amazing travel experience travel agents should consider going light on the itinerary planning!

Many clients ask me if it's feasible to travel while pregnant.

Travel at any time can present some challenges, but pregnancy presents challenges that can be met with a little extra planning.

This is a special time and you can have an amazing time with your family or spouse as long as you consider some things before you go!

Right away I know I am not a doctor and highly encourage you to speak with your doctor before you plan to take a trip any time before you travel. I am only speaking from my own experience and I can only comment on how things went for me. I listened to my doctor during both my pregnancies and was given the no-go during my first pregnancy and the all-clear for my second. As such, I’m mostly talking about how I traveled when I was pregnant with my second son. Regardless, you may not want to travel the way you used to this is a chance to slow down and see things in the park you may have never seen otherwise.

With my first pregnancy, I was high risk and I had a lot of trouble with my son so my doctors recommended I stay put in case he came early and he did which was a good call on their part. I did travel around my local area but I didn’t stray more than 50 miles from my home. With my second child, I was considered high risk as well but I was in much better shape with him. The two biggest things and this is why you should talk to your doctor is I was getting progesterone shots every week so I could only travel a week at a time after 16 weeks of pregnancy. I’d go in get my shot and then head to the airport and be back in time for my next shot. My doctor also asked around week 34 that I stop traveling because that’s when the shots ended and I could have the baby at any point after that plus more travel suppliers don't like you to travel basically towards the end of your final trimester. During my second pregnancy, I visited Turkey, Japan, and Maui before I couldn’t travel anymore.

All this to say!

Have a plan before you go!

What I mean by that is to talk to your doctor before you travel. This way you can decide what is best for you and what your limits are. If you are high risk like I was that might mean no walking around Tokyo for 15,000 steps per day. I say this because in my second trimester it was okay for me to walk that many steps in a day when I went to Tokyo but in my third, it would not have been a good idea. I was tired. I was on the edge of preeclampsia and my balance was thrown way off. We would have had to consider visiting Tokyo on the slowed-down version much later in my pregnancy. I also recommend that you don’t go blind to traveling. Make sure you have some kind of itinerary. I mapped out every day while we were in Tokyo and I made sure I knew where all the bathrooms were or at least restaurants that had them so I could go cause if you know anything about pregnancy you gotta go often! This gives you a great idea of what you’ll be doing so there will be no surprises and you know when your day will end. I also always add a section for my traveling pregnant clients about where the nearest hospital is if your baby does arrive in this world during your vacation. It can happen and it has happened which is another reason why you want to have travel insurance and talk to your doctor before you travel.

On that same note make sure you plan in breaks! It’s extremely important to take time to slow down. I know with my pregnancy I could have created a very dangerous situation for my child and me by not taking breaks. I took a lot of them especially when I went on that 36 hour trip to Turkey. I went alone while I was 10 weeks pregnant and I was in full-blown morning sickness and I couldn't enjoy anything I ate the entire time I was there. I lived off of Sprite and crackers. Even though I couldn’t really eat I was able to travel and I penciled in days with my family I was visiting historical places but while remembering I couldn’t power through a day and not pay for it later. I made sure to rest and sit down any chance that I got to not overtire myself.

Speaking of taking breaks while we all love to take those Instagram-perfect shots I was not about to walk around Turkey, Japan, or Maui in a form-fitting dress with unsupportive flats on. Comfort is key. I bought clothes with me that were comfortable and that I’d worn several times before. Vacation and pregnancy is not a time in my humble opinion to set out in something you’ve never worn before. It is not the time to buy new shoes or clothes that you haven't broken into. Wear the most comfortable clothes you can while traveling. I’m not saying you shouldn’t dress cute if you want to by any means I’m saying dress in clothing that feels comfortable and allows room for breathing. I wore leggings and a tunic top or flowy dresses with tennis shoes or supportive sandals on most days when I visited Turkey and Maui. Even in the dead of winter in Japan, I was wearing a winter dress with fleece leggings and some snow boots because they were supportive with a pair of comfortable tennis shoes. I didn't want to be hot and the leggings on my belly were super comfortable. The tunic top and dress I wore were flowy and comfortable. That way I had room for my belly and I was cool for the entire day.

When I was on my last trip to Maui I was about 28 weeks along and I was so excited for my son to get here but also so very tired. I took advantage of resting a lot during that trip and being the table holder when my family would go and order stuff for us to eat. I know eating is so important if you can muster it while vacationing with a baby but if you were as sick as I was in the first trimester then you know how important it is to eat when you are hungry and it also gives you a chance to take a break it’s a perfect cycle!

My bonus tip and I know this is gonna sound a little crazy but bring a pregnancy wedge with you. I found that the pillow to prop up my belly at hotels was not enough. The wedge gives your belly some support and you won’t be taking up a lot of space in your checked bag or carry with a belly wedge. Trust me you’ll thank me later when you have that support for your belly!

Again please before you plan any vacation talk with your doctor first before you go. Especially, if you are going to be traveling in the second or third trimester. These are the things that worked for me when I was pregnant and traveling and they might work for you too! You have to do what feels best and what makes you feel comfortable during this amazing time of creating a new life! If you are considering planning a trip and you are expecting a little one on the way let me if you are working with me so I can consider your pregnancy when I’m making your itinerary. I want nothing more than for you to have an amazing trip and hey a new baby is a perfect excuse to go on a babymoon! So, if you are thinking about planning a trip in the not-so-distant future let me know and I’d love to bring your travel dreams to reality.