Travelling when pregnant requires a bit more preparation and research than usual. There are a few extra lil things you need to pack and you should probably plan a little less to do. But it’s definitely possible to travel when you’re knocked up. How you approach it just depends on what stage of preggo life you’re at.
I posted some top tips for travelling in your first trimester over here and they mainly revolve around avoiding the morning sickness and sheer exhaustion that come with those first three months!
But travelling in your second trimester is a little different. So I thought it was only right to do another compilation of my top tips for pregnant travel, this time revolving around months 4-6.
Whereas I visited a whopping 8 destinations in my first trimester, I definitely took it easier in my second trimester. So these tips are based on my Babymoon to the Algarve with Jet2 (read about it here, kiddo), a few UK breaks and work trips to Barcelona and Cologne.
Let me know if you’d add any more to this list!
Tips For Travelling in Your Second Trimester
Check Your Insurance
Not all travel insurance policies cover pregnancy, or sometimes they have certain caveats in place. So it’s key to get the right kind of policy, or if you have annual travel insurance like me, double-check that you’re covered.
It turned out that my policy covered everything to do with pregnancy, up to 28 weeks. So I made sure my last trip was before this cut-off point.
Wear Flight Socks
I never wear flight socks, even when it’s long-haul. But at 6 months pregnant, I decided that I should probably listen to advice and give them a go. Y’see at this point in pregnancy you can be more vulnerable to DVT, varicose veins and swelling. (Pregnancy is so glam, right?) So I think it’s probs for the best to pack some in your hand luggage. Or if you have complete baby brain like me and forget to pack them, buy a pair at Boots in Duty Free…
Ooh and the odd ankle exercise isn’t too bad of an idea either. Just saying.
Buy Extra Water & Snacks For The Plane
This one is straight outta my first trimester tips and probably applies to the whole of pregnancy actually – bring lots of water and snacks on the plane!
You need more water when pregnant so I would take 2 bottles of water on with you, if you usually only take one. Of course you can buy more on board but you don’t want to be sitting there dehydrating, waiting for the trolley to come around.
Snacks are also a must. However whereas in the first three months this was to stave off the nausea, in the second trimester this is just to sate your hunger! As the baby has gotten bigger, I’ve found that I much prefer eating little and often, rather than big meals that give me indigestion and make me feel uncomfortable. So stock up on some snacks before the flight. I like to take on a fruit pot and a flapjack from Pret.
Get An Aisle Seat For Frequent Toilet Trips
The small bladder issue is real, especially at the end of the second trimester! An aisle seat makes it a lot easier to slip off for frequent toilet breaks without disturbing other passengers.
Although be aware that some aisle seats are considered emergency exit seats and they don’t let ‘vulnerable’ passengers sit there. Y’know like when you’re with child. So check with the airline at check-in to make sure.
Tell The Airline How Far Along You Are
Month 5 marked the point where strangers assumed I was pregnant – this is different for everyone, it depends how you’re showing. But it meant that when I travelled in month 6, every member of airline staff I encountered came over to ask about my pregnancy.
It’s because if you’re 28 weeks or more, you need a special ‘Fit To Fly’ letter from your midwife or doctor, just saying your blood pressure is A-OK so you can fly safely. I was 25/26 weeks on my trip to the Algarve so didn’t need one just yet, but staff asked me how many weeks I was quite a lot, just to make sure I guess.
Just something to be prepared for!
Protect Yourself With SPF 30
During the trips I took in my first trimester, I naturally just didn’t want to be in the sun so it wasn’t really an issue I had to think about. But I was very wary of the sun on my trip to Portugal. It was a chill-by-the-pool holiday so I made sure I did my research beforehand and followed a few safety tips.
The first is to wear at least SPF 30 sun cream. I’m one of those wankers that doesn’t burn that often, so I can be a bit lax with sun protection usually. I took it way more seriously this time and slapped on the white stuff frequently.
Take Shade & Pool Breaks
The other thing I was very aware of was taking regular breaks from the sun. The danger is that you can raise your body temperature too high, which is v bad for baby. (It’s the same reason you can’t go in hot tubs or saunas when pregs).
So I was sure to either get in the pool or into the shade every 20 minutes or so. This was in 27-28 degree heat by the way. Any hotter and I think I would have opted for permanent shade to be honest, just in case.
Don’t Be Too Ambitious
Chances are if you’re travelling in your second trimester, it’s for a relaxing break. So you likely aren’t planning on any adrenaline-fuelled activities or extreme sports out there or anything. But even the relaxing holidays can be too much if you plan lots of excursions/day trips. You definitely slow down in your second trimester with all of the aches and pains, so just be aware of what you can do before you go booking things.
For example in the Algarve I know that if I wasn’t pregnant I’d be booking onto one of those awesome boat trips where you see wild dolphins in the sea and they take you to cool caves. But I knew I wouldn’t be able to manage it. Maybe next time, pal.
Focus On Relaxing
It’s super important that you relax as much as possible when you’re pregnant. You want to produce all of those A+ endorphins for the baby. So if it’s a trip for leisure, try to prioritise relaxation and self-care. This is your holiday after all.
If you’re travelling for business, try to adjust your schedule to make everything more comfortable for you. I had a very early start on my work trip to Barcelona so spoke to my manager to get out of the evening activities, so that I could rest and get an early night. This stuff is important.
Bring Your Maternity Notes
It’s really important to bring along your maternity notes when you travel. It’s just a precaution so that you have everything you need in case you have a wobble and need to see a doctor. Chances are you’ll be fine but you never know.
Bring Your Pregnancy Pillow
I’m writing a whole post about what to bring on a Babymoon holiday (coming soon!). But one thing I would recommend for any trip during your second trimester is a pregnancy pillow.
By this point in pregnancy it’s likely you already have one at home to ease any discomfort when sleeping and to keep you on your left hand side (optimal pregnancy sleeping position). So if possible, I would bring it along on your travels.
Obviously that’s not possible if you have a huge one! But my Dreamgenii pillow took up about a quarter of my suitcase on longer trips, which was fine. And on overnight visits I just managed with an extra pillow between my legs.
It’s your call, but I was glad I took mine.
There you have it my top tips for travelling in your second trimester!
God, this pregnancy is going fast, huh?
Let me know what you think in the comments below or head over to my Twitter and Instagram accounts for more regular updates on my travels, my pregnancy and life in general.
Total Blogger Transparency: This post contains an affiliate link or two, but all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I wouldn’t play you like that, shorty.
Great tips. Thank you for sharing. But if you have a sensitive case in your pregnancy better not travelling and if it’s not, consult your doctor first before you go.