Elara guides

Travelling while pregnant

When to go, how to fly comfortably, and what to pack.

A “babymoon” or a work trip doesn't have to be off the table. For most healthy pregnancies, travel is fine with a little planning — and the middle months are often the sweet spot, when early nausea has passed and you're still comfortably mobile.

The best window

Many people find the second trimester (roughly weeks 14–27) the easiest time to travel: more energy, less queasiness, lower miscarriage risk than early on. Long-haul and flying get trickier later, and airlines set their own cut-offs — often around 36 weeks for short flights and earlier for long ones, sometimes needing a note from your provider after 28 weeks. Check before you book.

Flying comfortably

• Move every 30–60 minutes and flex your calves — pregnancy raises clot risk on long sits.
• Wear compression socks on long flights and stay well hydrated.
• Book an aisle seat for legroom and easy bathroom trips.
• Keep your maternity notes and any medication in your hand luggage.
• The scanners are safe; if you'd rather, you can ask for a pat-down.

Wherever you're going

Take out travel insurance that explicitly covers pregnancy and find out where the nearest hospital is. Be cautious with destinations that need live vaccines or carry Zika risk — check current guidance. With food and water abroad, stick to the usual safe-eating rules a little more strictly to avoid tummy bugs that hit harder now.

By car and train

Same principle: break up long journeys to walk and stretch. Always wear the seatbelt with the lap strap under the bump and the diagonal between your breasts — never across the bump.

Skip travel, or get specific clearance first, if you have a high-risk pregnancy, a history of preterm labour, pre-eclampsia, or placenta problems. When unsure, a quick call to your provider settles it.