Travel & Pregnancy: How to Travel in Each Trimester

So many of us women who love to travel go through some big life transitions. First, we’re traveling solo or with friends, then with a partner. But what happens when you become pregnant? Many of us think that our travel days are over, but think again! You can absolutely travel while pregnant and have a fabulous and safe time, with a little preparation. In fact, during my pregnancy, I took nine trips (including one international). As always, check in with your doctor before making any travel plans to ensure you and baby are healthy enough to be away from home.

First Trimester

Take It Slow

For anyone who plans travel in advance, you may inevitably have to travel while pregnant in your first trimester. Unfortunately, many of us aren’t lucky enough to plan exactly when we will get pregnant, and an upcoming trip after your positive pregnancy test might already be on the calendar.

For many women, the hormonal changes that come with the first trimester hit you like a ton of bricks. You’re nauseous, tired, and hungry, while trying to navigate your changing body.

My best advice for first trimester travel is to slow things down. Even though I was nauseous (Sea Bands and ginger chews saved my life!) through my first trimester, I thought that I would be able to travel as I used to. That meant being super active with sightseeing, walking around, and experiencing all our destinations had to offer.

Well, my body and baby had different plans. On a trip to Washington, DC, G and I decided to walk around the Tidal Basin to see the cherry blossoms. It was a leisurely stroll that took us about an hour. Problems arose when we decided to walk the additional 20 minutes back to our hotel. Typically, this would have been fine. It was a beautiful spring day. The walk was slightly uphill—about a 5% incline—which would be nothing if I wasn’t pregnant. But pregnant, it was a huge problem (because your growing belly constricts your diaphragm, making it harder to take deep breaths). The 20-minute walk took us over an hour. People young and old were passing me on both sides as I huffed up this tiny hill, completely out of breath. It was frustrating. I didn’t realize just how much my body had changed in such a short time.

A few weeks later, when we traveled to the Finger Lakes for a wedding, I was better prepared to take it slow. The walk from our rental to the wedding venue was only 15 minutes, but I made sure to allow for an hour just in case. And when it came to the end of the reception and friends wanted to go out, I went back to go to bed. The moral of the story is, in your first trimester, allow yourself more time than you would have in the past.

Second Trimester

Get Active

Second trimester is the best time to travel while pregnant! For many women, the nausea and exhaustion stops. You’re getting more comfortable in your growing body. Your energy goes up, and you’re feeling great—maybe even glowing! It’s the perfect time to take your babymoon, especially if you enjoy active city sightseeing or adventure travel.

We decided to do a little bit of both and took a 2-week trip out west to see some of the national parks in Utah and Arizona. That’s right, I hiked the Grand Canyon at 22 weeks pregnant. And you can, too! Bring along the lesson from your first trimester. Take things slow, but also relish in your newfound energy and that pregnancy glow.

Third Trimester

Relax & Reconnect

For me and for many women, you bring your good pregnancy feelings from the second trimester into the third. The only issue is that your body is continuing to grow, and that, more than anything, is what will limit you physically if you travel while pregnant in the third trimester. While it’s super important to bring along your past two lessons—take things slow and remain active (you have to prepare for the birth, after all!)—third trimester is the perfect time for you to pamper yourself, relax, and preemptively catch up on the sleep you’ll soon miss.

As always, ask your doctor if it’s safe for you to travel any time during pregnancy but especially in your third trimester. My doctor cleared me to travel, but we decided to keep most of our trips short and close to home. One of my favorite trips we did in the third trimester was a weekend at a winery/spa about 2 hours from where we live. It was the perfect place for pampering, yummy food, romantic dinners, and lounging by the pool. It was also really special for me that we brought home a few bottles of wine from my husband’s tasting (I, of course, did not taste any wine!) to enjoy together after our son was born.

Your third trimester is ideal for checking in with yourself and your partner. Your life is about to change in a huge and wonderful way. Enjoy these last few months of traveling as a twosome. Do things that you might not get to do in the coming months like long, leisurely dinners, spa days, and trips to the theater.

Throughout Your Pregnancy

A few lessons that I learned along the way that will apply to every trip during your pregnancy:

• Hydrate – Water is so important during pregnancy whether you’re near or far from home. Carry a water bottle with you and make sure you’re getting as much as you need
• Bring snacks – You never know when a hunger attack is going to hit
• Wear supportive shoes – I’m all for fashion, but arch collapse and swollen feet are an unfortunate side effect of pregnancy. Wear supportive sneakers and even add in arch support inserts to avoid swelling
• Know where the bathrooms are – You are going to have to go more than you think
• Encourage circulation – If you’re sitting for a long flight or car ride, wear compression socks to encourage blood circulation. Try to get up and walk around at least once an hour
• Bring along your comforts from home – Whatever use at home that helps you feel comfortable, bring it with you. This isn’t the time to try to figure out how to pack light. You never know if the local store will have what you need to feel good, which is hard to achieve during pregnancy. Bring what you need along with you.
• Get excited to transition into a family who travels! – We can help with that. Check out some of our top content for traveling with a baby

Did you travel while pregnant or do you plan to? Let me know in the comments!