Chances are you’ll need a holiday at some point during your pregnancy, and luckily most pregnant women are able to travel if they take a few key precautions. Naturally, your priority is to look after yourself and your little one, no matter where you are, so here are five tips for staying safe when you travel.

1. Time Your Trip Carefully

You’ll enjoy your holiday more if you feel as healthy as possible, and for most mothers-to-be, that’s normally during the second trimester (between 13 and 28 weeks).

The first trimester is often memorable for the morning sickness, plus your chance of miscarriage is higher during this time, while in third-trimester chances are you’ll be feeling exhausted and uncomfortable.

But during the second trimester? Your body will have adjusted to all the hormones pregnancy has thrown its way, and you’re likely to have more energy and a beautiful pregnancy glow. Airplane travel is still safe during this time — in fact, in most cases, you can travel up to 36 weeks.

Remember:

If you’re hoping to take a cruise, you can only travel until your 24th week. This is because ships do not have adequate hospital facilities to care for a premature baby. Visit Babycenter for more tips on cruising while pregnant.

Whenever and however you’re intending to travel, start planning as early as possible.

2. Stay Travel Vaccination Savvy

Not all vaccinations are safe for pregnant women, so be sure to do some research before you pick a destination. As a general rule: inactivated vaccines are safe; live vaccines are not.

If you can, head somewhere without any vaccination requirements. And if you can’t avoid it, remember that the risk of disease is greater than the risk posed by vaccinations. Always seek advice from your healthcare provider before making a decision — they’ll be able to recommend the best course of action.

3. Don’t Stray Too Far

Travelling can be exhausting at the best of times, so the shorter your journey, the better. 2–3 hours on a plane or in a car should be enough to make you feel like you’re getting a break from everyday life, but is close enough for you to get home if you need to.

You may prefer to spend more or less time in transit — it’s up to you.

How to look after yourself in a plane or car:

Keep hydrated.
Take regular breaks to stretch out your legs.
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing.
Wear your seatbelt so the straps sit in between your breasts and underneath your bump, not over it. The pressure caused by any jolts could harm your baby.

For more tips, tricks and information, read Holidaysafe’s guide to enjoying your holiday with a baby on the way.

4. Fight Fatigue & Dizziness

Fatigue and dizziness are both very common occurrences during pregnancy, so you can’t stop them completely, but you can minimize their effects, no matter how or where you choose to travel.

How to fight fatigue and dizziness:

Listen to your body — take a nap when you need to.
Drink plenty of water. Two liters is the recommended amount, although you may need more if you’re going somewhere with a hot climate.
Eat healthy, nutritious snacks like fresh or dried fruit, nuts, cereal bars, and wholemeal crackers to keep your blood sugar levels stable.

Need inspiration for healthy pregnancy snacks? Click here.

5. Take A Break

Travelling during pregnancy is a chance to get away from your regular routine. Now is not the time to take part in sports or adventure activities — instead, conserve your energy, and enjoy the freedom to spend your time getting all the rest and relaxation you deserve.