Tips for Traveling While Pregnant

When I was 20 weeks pregnant with my daughter, I took a babymoon with my now-husband. Though it was March, we encountered a 90-degree heat wave in Palm Springs, Calif. Still, I decided to hike in the desert in Joshua Tree National Park.

Barely 30 minutes in, I became overheated and my feet swelled up. Miserable, I called it off and retreated to our hotel.

It can often be hard to anticipate how traveling — even in less extreme conditions — could affect a pregnancy. Thankfully, doing some research and simple prep, and getting advice from your doctor can make things go smoother.

Talk To Your Doctor

At least four to six weeks beforehand, describe your trip to your doctor so they can do a risk assessment to help determine if you're cleared for travel, said Dr. Mark Turrentine, a professor at the Baylor College of Medicine and a member of a panel that reviews pregnancy and travel guidelines published by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

The ideal time to travel is between 14 and 28 weeks for most low-risk, singleton pregnancies, he said, adding emergencies are more common during the first 12 weeks or the early third trimester.

“You can get turned away from the airline at any point in pregnancy,” said Dr. Jennifer Doorey, an assistant professor in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. She suggested always carrying a doctor’s letter that includes your due date and says you’re cleared to fly.