6 top tips for travelling when pregnant to make your break or “babymoon” as relaxing, successful and enjoyable as possible!
- The right destination
- When pregnant, it is important to choose a holiday destination that can be reached within a three-hour flight. Any flights of four hours or longer are considered long-haul and are not recommended during pregnancy.
- If your nearest airport or your desired UK destination is a long drive away, you may wish to consider an overnight stay on the way to break up the journey.
- Research your holiday destination before you go. You may feel more relaxed if there are shops and medical facilities nearby. Avoid destinations which require vaccinations and where there is a risk of catching diseases transferred by mosquitoes such as zika virus, malaria or dengue fever.
- Make a plan and use checklists
- Make a list of all the things you would like to take with you. Remember to take your maternity notes (or a copy of them).
- Take regular toilet breaks – choose a route where there are plenty of opportunities to use the loo…
- Take a small cushion or pillow with you on the journey to support your back
- If you are flying from 28 weeks onwards, your airline might need a signed letter from your doctor or midwife and most airlines won’t let you fly beyond 37 weeks of pregnancy (or 32 weeks for multiple pregnancies). Check out my blog on flying when pregnant!
- Check out my packlist (free download)
- Take it easy
- Choose a holiday where you can rest and relax
- If you are going sightseeing or shopping, ensure you allow for plenty of breaks
- Essentials for the journey
- pack plenty of snacks and water
- Have regular breaks
- When pregnant, you are at higher risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) when you are sitting still on long car journeys or flights. Ensure you move around as much as you can and do some simple stretches every hour. When driving take a break at least every 90 minutes and when flying wander up and down the aisle when you can. On longer journeys, you may also consider wearing flight socks (compression stockings).
- When your back hurts, try placing a rolled-up towel or small pillow under the back of your bottom and in the small of your back.
- Think about what you’re packing
- To make sure you are as comfortable as possible during your well-earned break, ensure you are packing:
- comfortable and supportive shoes
- blister pads
- comfortable, roomy clothes
- maternity swim suit
- high SPF sun cream, (your skin is more sensitive during pregnancy) and/or cover up with clothing
- To make sure you are as comfortable as possible during your well-earned break, ensure you are packing:
- Stick to your safe food list
- You may go out for meals or have a buffet deal… Freshly cooked food abroad, the local cuisine can be exiting. However, remember, that some foods may harm your baby. Stick to your safe food list!
- Foods to avoid in pregnancy
- Stay hydrated. Remember to drink plenty of (bottled) water when pregnant. The local tap water may upset your stomach, so you may wish to stick to bottled water.
Sources and further reading:
- NHS – Travelling in pregnancy: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/travelling/
- NHS – Sunbeds (sun exposure) in pregnancy: https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/pregnancy/are-sunbeds-safe-to-use-during-pregnancy/
- NHS – Foods to avoid during pregnancy: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/foods-to-avoid/
- RCOG: – DVT: https://www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-all-patient-information-leaflets/treatment-of-venous-thrombosis-in-pregnancy-and-after-birth-patient-information-leaflet
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