When it comes to traveling while pregnant, it’s takes a little more preparation than your average vacation. Since you’re carrying extra weight around, you’re likely to quickly get exhausted if you don’t have water and snacks on hand. But fortunately, traveling throughout your pregnancy is safe, as long as you have permission from your doctor.
For a pleasant traveling experience while pregnant, keep the following tips in mind:
Take healthy snacks with you. Although you’re not technically eating for two, you do need to keep your energy levels stable all day long, especially if you’re on the go at the airport or driving in your car. Take small snacks with you to prevent hunger, like dried fruit, trail mix, or baked chips. Hydration is just as important when you travel during pregnancy. Keep a bottle of water with you throughout the day so that you don’t risk dehydration on an airplane that could cause jetlag.
Take a break. If you’ve been on your feet all day, it’s time to kick back and relax. If you’re on a road trip, get out of your car and stretch every few hours when you stop for gas. Take a quick walk around the parking lot to keep your circulation going. If you’re on a flight longer than several hours, try to get up every few hours and walk the aisle. This will keep your blood flowing and make you more comfortable during a long trip.
Don’t over pack. It may be tempting to pack anything and everything you can get your hands on for your upcoming vacation, but when you’re pregnant, it can be difficult to lug heavy bags around the airport all day long. Try to pack as light as you can, and make sure that you are carrying a suitcase that has wheels to make it easy to transport.
Factor pit stops into your trip. If you’re going on a road trip, it’s important to factor in numerous pit stops since you’ll definitely need to use the restroom more often when you’re pregnant. In everyday life, there is more pressure on your bladder during pregnancy. And when you’re traveling, you may become even more uncomfortable when sitting in a car or on a plane for long periods of time. If you are on a long flight, try to switch with a person nearby so that you can have an aisle seat for easy access to the restroom.
Pleasant traveling is entirely possible when you’re pregnant if you use the tips above to plan ahead! Make it a priority to keep your circulation going, take breaks throughout your travels, and keep snacks and water on hand to stay hydrated and satisfied. Healthy snacks will be the biggest key to your success when traveling so that you don’t have to resort to eating fast food or unhealthy snacks at the airport.
Last but not least, make sure to dress comfortably in loose maternity pants or a maternity dress so that you can relax and enjoy yourself on the way to your destination.
Bethany Ramos is a full-time freelance writer that co-owns her own e-commerce website, The Coffee Bump. The Coffee Bump specializes in a wide variety of Bunn coffee makers and assorted coffee and espresso products. Image by Chris Moseley
