• ABOUT
  • Shop
    • Shop Our Amazon Favorites
    • Shop Our Presets
  • Contact
    • Sponsorships
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

Oak + Oats

A Colorado Lifestyle Blog

  • Motherhood
    • Oh Baby
    • Mama Buys
    • Pregnancy
  • Marriage
    • Date Night
    • Wedding Anniversary
  • Lifestyle
    • Family
    • Friends
    • Holidays
    • Photography
  • Home
    • Before & After
    • Yard & Garden
    • Recipes
    • Hosting
  • Travel
    • Travel Tips
    • Snapshots
    • Disney
    • Colorado
    • Colorado Springs
  • Ask Elizabeth

April 27, 2018
Ask Elizabeth, Pregnancy, Travel, Travel Tips

Tips for Traveling When Pregnant

traveling when pregnant

ASK ELIZABETH

Question: I feel like you have been doing a bit of traveling while pregnant which is so fun! Do you have any advice for traveling when pregnant? I may be planning a trip but am a little nervous about it all! Thanks! 

It is true! I have already flown to Orlando & back as well as San Diego & back while being pregnant and I have some trips upcoming as well! I remember finding out I was pregnant and asking the doctor about my list of travel plans that I had already had! I had no idea if it really was okay to fly and travel when pregnant and what any of the rules were! She reassured me of everything and gave her stamp of approval for all the trips as long as I continued being healthy in the pregnancy. Traveling while being pregnant is totally possible but it is a little different than the travel days & trips you are used to – at least for me!

I would love to share with you seven travel tips that I have learned from traveling while pregnant!

7 Tips for Traveling when Pregnant

#1 GET YOUR DOCTOR’S APPROVAL & A NOTE

This was the first thing I did because I am a rule follower! I wanted to make sure that my doctor gave me the stamp of approval before my trips. She has said yes every-time and already approved future trips. Every doctor is different, but mine just said I can’t go over an hour away after 37 weeks (which by then I don’t think I would want to! haha) Make sure you check with your doctor about travel plans because every pregnancy is different.

Also, airlines will sometime require a doctors note for flying after 20 weeks. When I was at my last appointment before my trip, my doctor made sure to get me the letter to carry with me while traveling saying I am allowed to go and to call them with questions. I felt like a kid again with a note from home! If your doctor doesn’t bring it up at your appointment, ask for it and they will get you one! It will put you at ease for traveling and avoid awkward conversations with the airline staff.

#2 DRINK LOTS OF WATER

This is important in general if you are pregnant and in general if you are traveling so it is doubly so when you are pregnant and traveling! I know peeing on airplanes & in airports is the worst but you need to stay hydrated. Make sure to bring your empty water bottle with you through security and fill it up right away. I brought my Nalgene and tried to drink a full one while waiting in the airport, another one on the plane, and one once at my destination. Staying hydrated will help you and your baby feel better and be able to deal with the travel stresses.

#3 CHECK YOUR BAG & BRING AN EASY TO CARRY PERSONAL BAG

This is really importation especially if you are traveling alone. You do not want to be carting around extra weight at the airport. I checked my bag and had a smaller personal item that I took on the plane with me. You don’t want to be putting extra strain or exhaustion on your body. It may take you 15 more minutes to pick up your bag after your flight but it will be worth it to not have to try to shove a bag in the overhead compartment on the plane. Travel light literally for your back and your baby!

PS: Make sure that personal bag has headphones, healthy snacks, your water bottle, and a fun book – like Bringing Up Bébé!

#4 WEAR COMPRESSION SOCKS & COMFY CLOTHES

Since airports & airplanes mean a lot of sitting, invest in a good pair of compression socks! They help so much with blood flow and you can totally rock the sockos like me 😉 (socks with chacos!) Also pick your outfit accordingly. Sometimes it is fun to look fancy when flying – now is not that time! Make sure that you are wearing something that won’t cut into your back or belly. I went with my Ingrid & Isabel Women’s Maternity Active Leggings and a t-shirt. I also brought along a sweatshirt to wear if I got cold or tie around my waist if I was warm. Comfort is KEY when traveling while pregnant!

#5 GET AN AISLE SEAT

This is literally the best when you are pregnant! You can easily stand up and walk around to stretch your legs and hit up the restroom as many times as you need! My doctor recommended standing up every hour of the flight to stretch and get blood moving – it was nice to have an aisle seat because I could just stand up at my seat and stretch real quick.

#6 BRING YOUR PREGNANCY PILLOW & OTHER DAILY COMFORTS

Since you are checking a bag anyways, bring the big suitcase so you can stuff your pregnancy pillow in one side. I did this both times and I will again! It is the best to bring your pregnancy pillow with you! Already on vacation your sleep schedule gets messed up. You don’t want to be not sleeping at all because you can’t get comfortable on the hotel or guest bed. With your pregnancy pillow you can rest better and that will translate into a better vacation! Also make sure to pack those sleep shorts you love because they fit your bump, your prenatal vitamins, and your belly cream you put on before bed. Anything that you do at home for your pregnancy, bring with you to make you comfortable on your trip!

#7 LISTEN TO YOUR BODY (ALLOW FOR A SLOWER PACED VACA)

You are pregnant after all and cannot do all the things you used to do. Listen to your body and make sure to act accordingly. On my last trip to San Diego, we had slower mornings waking & eating breakfast before we hit out on all our adventures. Then we came back before dinner to make food at home and have a slower evening before bed. We did a lot but we also made sure to rest. Your body can do a lot of things while pregnant but you don’t want to push your body too far especially on vacation! Be okay with a different kind of vacation to take care of you and your baby.

Those are my seven key takeaways from traveling pregnant! I would love to hear any tips you have for traveling when pregnant! Leave them in the comments. Also feel free to ask any other pregnancy related questions you may have! I’d love to get them answered for you! They might just turn into an Ask Elizabeth post of their own!

Related

Previous Post: « Beautiful Airbnbs to stay at when visiting Joshua Tree
Next Post: Where to Make your Baby Registry: Babylist »

Primary Sidebar

Hello + Welcome!

I’m Elizabeth, a Colorado photographer and blogger. I’m also a wife, mama, sister, daughter, and friend! Welcome to Oak + Oats! Here we look for the remarkable in the every day. We love photographing our daily moments, making memories, and sharing our favorite places here in this space.

Our happiest days are spent together – many of those with a camera in hand! My free time (ie: Nap Time) is spent behind my computer screen sharing our tips and stories with you! I’m glad you’re here!

stay up to date

READ MORE ABOUT

  • Motherhood
  • Marriage
  • Home
  • Colorado
  • Travel
  • Holidays
  • Ask Elizabeth

OLDER POSTS

Looking back on 2020

Christmas Eve

Oh Christmas Tree

The North Pole

A Christmas Tour Of Our House

The Family Holiday Gift Guide

Creating Christmas Family Traditions & Being okay when they Change

New Mama Holiday Gift Guide

Unique Bible Verses to include in your Christmas Cards

Christmas Outfits for baby + Toddler Girl

Our Christmas Tree

BuybuyBABY Toy Gift Guide

Millennial Mom Holiday Gift Guide

The Entryway

Giving Thanks in 2020

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM

We put @photowall_sweden wallpaper up in our dinni We put @photowall_sweden wallpaper up in our dinning room and now everything looks like a still life painting. I don't hate it.
About as cake smashy as our cake smash got! Big si About as cake smashy as our cake smash got! Big sis ate more off the tray than #OurMillieBea did! Only one finger got in her mouth and an essence of icing made her smell like a piece of cake the rest of the night 😍😂
Happy Birthday my littlest 🎉 One year old, my h Happy Birthday my littlest 🎉 One year old, my how the time flies! Beyond grateful for the gift you are to our family! You bring both your parents and your big sister so much JOY! Spent most of my day with my family and this little birthday girl not getting birthday posts edited + written + posted but that's the way it should be! Good thing I like to celebrate birthdays all month long because lots more of #OurMillieBea coming soon!
Happy Birthday Eve my sweet #OurMillieBea 🎉 Happy Birthday Eve my sweet #OurMillieBea 🎉
This week has been a hard week and I just wanted t This week has been a hard week and I just wanted to remind you that no amount of instagram scrolling is going to soothe your heart. The headlines, inspirational quotes, and commentary only pales in comparison to Truth. "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12) Go there. Read your Bible. Don't know where to start? Google a reading plan and open your Bible up. We need to be a people who hide the Word of the Lord in our hearts, who know Jesus Christ personally (who is the way, the Truth, and the life John 14: 6), and shine His light. The world needs hope, let's know it and let's share it! 

#faithfilledfridays with 
@nurseryrhymeville @atwinkleintheireyes @bethanykimsey @steph.pollock  @3littlelambshomestead @shannacrowell @thecashells 
@devoted_Motherhood_ @lifes.a.jess @jenniferpepito @anndunagan @_kindletogetherness @oakandoats @littlemindscreative @mobilizermom @cedar_hills_kids_homeschool
Happy Epiphany! ⁠👑 ⁠ We're very new to the Happy Epiphany! ⁠👑
⁠
We're very new to the church calendar and the rhythms set up but I'm so thankful for them. Especially in this season of motherhood + C0vid when each day blends right into the next one. The readings, reminders, and patterns set up in the church calendar allow for reflection, education, and direction. It's always good to be encouraged to read scripture and fill our hearts with the Living Word. ⁠
⁠
Today is the first day in Epiphany which will go until February 16th when we enter the season of Lent. Today is also called Three Kings day and after a little research, we decided to celebrate by opening up a gift (these dresses!) and learning about the Magi who traveled from afar to meet Jesus to pay Him homage and honor Him as King & Lord. With a 2 -year-old and an almost 1-year-old, the comprehension isn't the most academic, but I wanted them (mostly Hilde) to recognize that she got a gift like the Wise Men brought gifts to Baby Jesus. And we can give gifts to Jesus too - like our praise! ⁠
⁠
Hilde wanted to wear crowns just like the three kings but we only have one crown so she picked these gold Minnie ears for Millie! Then we twirled while we danced and sang to worship songs together to give a gift back to Jesus. ⁠
⁠
As the girls grow, we will probably add in crafts and more activities, but it's also always okay to keep things simple. It is the heart that matters, not the presentation. ⁠
⁠
"Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land." - Psalm 95:1-5⁠
⁠
Do you celebrate Epiphany? Or follow the church calendar? 👇🏼👇🏼

Footer

MOTHERHOOD

Oh Baby
Mama Buys
Pregnancy

COLORADO
Colorado Springs

HOME
Recipes
Hosting
Before & After

MARRIAGE
Date Night
Anniversaries

TRAVEL
Travel Tips
Snapshots
Disney

SHOP
Shop our Amazon List
Shop our Presets

Copyright © 2021 · OAK + OATS