Planning a holiday or business trip during your pregnancy? A few extra items can help keep you safe and relaxed.
Yay! You’re pregnant and heading on a trip somewhere. Whether it’s your babymoon or a work trip, traveling when pregnant presents a unique set of challenges. Here are a few essential items to help you have a safe and relaxing trip. Luckily, I managed to do a few international travels while pregnant, so I am happy to share my pregnancy travel essentials and tips with you!
For tips on planning your holiday and information trimester by trimester, you can check my detailed post on Travelling while pregnant.
01 | Travel pillow & sleep mask
No matter what stage of your pregnancy you are in, it’s advisable to bring a travel pillow with you. It will make your flights, travels in a rented car or bus rides more comfortable.
I always traveled with a pillow even before I was pregnant. Now it’s a must-have item. You can consider Trtl pillow, which is easy to pack and carry and helps hold your head up in an ergonomic position through long trips.
A sleep mask is another great aid for a comfortable trip. Nowadays, most airlines have stopped giving them away for free, so you had better bring your own. Even the most basic model will do the job.
02 | Easy to wheel luggage
No matter how much of a seasoned backpacking girl you are, when pregnant, you will have to ditch your backpack. For now, carry no more than just a light day pack (or carry-on) on your shoulders. Carrying heavy things could have negative consequences for your unborn baby.
I personally have Wenger suitcase, which comes with super quiet dual-caster wheels. It has a built-in ID tray for inserting your name and address in case your luggage is lost. Plus, having the pink model makes it really easy for me to recognize it on the luggage belt.
03 | Leggings
I basically live in leggings these days. It gets a bit boring but it makes packing for travel really easy. Leggings barely take up any space in your luggage and they can be easily dressed up or down. You could buy maternity leggings or just go for a bigger size.
You can consider these ones from RumorHasIt, but actually any breathable maternity leggings made of cotton are fine. I prefer ones that are not too thick, but you will need an extra layer if you are using them in winter.
04 | Compression socks
OK, compression socks may not be the sexiest thing around, but they’re really great for massaging your muscles. As a result, the blood in your legs is forced to move upwards towards the rest of your body, which is great for circulation.
Flying does crazy things to our circulation. Especially when you are expecting, it’s extremely important to stretch/move/walk around while on long flights to keep your blood pumping. So pack a pair of compression socks in your carry-on (for example these ones from Blueenjoy). They really are helpful!
05 | Comfortable but stylish dresses
The good news is, you won’t need to fork out loads of money for maternity dresses. I found that some my long tops and dresses still fit well now that I’m pregnant.
Some maternity clothes look pretty ugly anyway, so you have to be picky when selecting new pieces. There is no reason to look ugly in these times; why not be comfortable, but still look nice? Loose dresses are perfect for looking feminine.
Would you like to read about my babymoon? You can check out this post on holiday in Cape Verde.
06 | Protein bars + water bottle
It’s not a secret that pregnant women do get hungry at odd times. You might also want to bring a selection of snacks, both for the journey itself and for your actual stay. Protein bars, dry fruit…these are just some examples of great travel snacks.
Do you have any favorite snacks? Keep in mind they might not be available at your destination. If you have particular nutritional requirements it’s best to think about these ahead of time. Pregnancy supplements are not to be missed, too.
07 | Comfortable shoes
I’m sorry to say this but pregnancy is not the time to wear high heels. Make life easier for yourself and leave them at home. Remember that if you’re traveling to a hot country, you’re more likely to get swollen feet, particularly on the plane. So you’ll be best in open-toed sandals or flip-flops.
I prefer to travel in sneakers (I love these ones from Nike; I just got myself a second pair) or hiking sandals. I know they’re ugly but they’re so damn comfortable I don’t care.
08 | Bump Band
A Bump Band is a lifesaver for anyone trying to squeeze into their old clothes for as long as possible. It is simply a band that wraps around your bump, helping to provide a bit of extra support where you need it most.
No matter how hard your try, normal (non-pregnancy) T-shirts and pullovers keep rising up, which is super uncomfortable. A bump band covers your midriff so it is a perfect accessory to your outfit. It’s also super lightweight and folds into basically nothing, meaning that it’ll hardly take up any space in your carry-on.
09 | Essential documents
The last item is actually the most important one on the list: Remember to bring your pregnancy documents with you! Usually, there is a small pregnancy book or a card with all the important details related to your pregnancy. It is handy in case of an emergency. Having a copy of your pregnancy medical records is a good idea to have on you as well.
Also remember to bring insurance documents and emergency contact info for your doctor. These take some preparation but can become extremely valuable when you are on the road. Better be safe than sorry!
Are there any other mammas out there with experience of traveling while pregnant? What’s at the top of your packing list?
Veronika Tomanova is the founder of award-winning solo female travel blog Veronika’s Adventure, featuring travel tips, guides and stories from around the world. She is from Czech Republic and has been to 30+ countries.