Is it safe to travel when pregnant?

Travelling by car or coach

Road accidents are the most common cause of injury in pregnant women and people (NHS, 2022).

• It is legal to drive when pregnant.  
• If driving, the seat should be as far back as possible while still able to manage all the controls. The driver’s chest should be at least 25 cm (10 inches) away from the steering wheel (RoSPA, no date).  
• It may be necessary to recline the seat or tilt the steering wheel. If it’s not possible to sit far enough away from the wheel, ask the vehicle manufacturer for guidance (RoSPA, no date).
• Airbags should still be used in pregnancy. Because airbags differ from car to car, it’s sensible to check with the manufacturer about the minimum distance between the driver or passenger and the airbag (RoSPA, no date).
• It is safest to wear a seatbelt, unless a doctor has said not to for medical reasons (Gov.uk, no date).
• Place the lap belt below the bump so it catches the hip bones. The cross belt goes between the breasts. The belt shouldn’t press on the bump (NHS, 2022).
• If a long journey is necessary, plan breaks to get out and move around (NHS, 2022).
• For long trips it’s recommended to travel with someone. If driving, then hopefully they can share the load (NHS, 2022).  

Motion sickness might also be a problem on longer journeys. 

Going abroad  

If you’re going abroad, make sure where you’re going has suitable healthcare facilities in case they’re needed. Outside the UK, you might need to pay for healthcare, so will need travel insurance to cover this (NHS, 2022).

If travelling in Europe, you can apply for an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) or GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) for travel further away. These cards will cover you if you need maternity care or emergency treatment abroad (NHS, no date). 

An EHIC or GHIC might not cover all healthcare costs. It also won’t pay if you need to be repatriated (brought back if you are physically unable to make the journey yourself). So, you’ll need insurance as well (NHS, no date). 

Find out more and apply for an EHIC or GHIC card. 

Other health concerns to be aware of abroad (NHS, 2022):

• Check if tap water is safe to drink at the destination. If not sure, drink bottled water.
• Avoid uncooked or unwashed foods that could carry germs
• If you get ill, keep drinking water and keep eating to nourish the baby.
• Check suitable medications for travel stomach upsets in advance and carry rehydration salts with you 

Travelling by plane

For most people, it is safe for both the woman or pregnant person, and the baby or babies, to fly for a holiday (NHS, 2022). Pregnant pilots and cabin crew should speak to their occupational health department.

The recommended time to fly during pregnancy is before 37 weeks, or 32 weeks with twins or multiples. After this the chance of going into labour is higher (NHS, 2022; RCOG, 2022).  

Most airlines will not support travel after 37 weeks, and travel insurance may also be more difficult (RCOG, 2022).

Check the airline policy as they may ask for a letter from the doctor, which can take several weeks. You will probably have to pay for this (NHS, 2022).  

Also bear in mind that (RCOG, 2022):

• When travelling abroad, you’ll go through security checks. Going through a full body security scanner is not considered a risk during pregnancy.
• A seatbelt must still be worn on planes and any transport where they are normally worn. Ask for a seat belt extension from a flight attendant on a plane if needed.
• If you go into labour on a flight, there is no guarantee that anyone will be trained to help you. The plane might need to be diverted so you can get medical help.

The pregnant woman or person might be advised not to fly if they (RCOG, 2022):

• have a higher chance of going into labour early
• are severely anaemic
• have sickle cell disease with a recent crisis
• have recently had significant vaginal bleeding
• have a serious condition affecting the lungs or heart making it hard to breathe 

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

During pregnancy and for six weeks after birth, there’s a higher chance of developing DVT. This is when a blood clot forms in your leg or pelvis during long periods of staying still. If it dislodges and travels to the lungs, it can be very dangerous (RCOG, 2022).

Pregnant women or people are more at risk when flying, especially if the flight is for longer than four hours. Tell your healthcare professional your travel plans so they can provide the best information for you (RCOG, 2022).

To help reduce the chance of a DVT (RCOG, 2022):

• Regularly get up and move around – this is easier if you have an aisle seat
• Do stretches and in-seat exercises every 30 minutes
• Wear loose and comfortable clothing and shoes
• Sip water regularly rather than drinks containing alcohol or caffeine
• Wear compression socks (ask your midwife or doctor for the correct size and type) 

RCOG has information for the public on reducing the risk of DVT.

Other health discomforts to be aware of when flying while pregnant (RCOG, 2022):

• Swollen legs because of fluid retention
• An increased chance of nose blockages and ear discomfort due to changes in air pressure  
• Motion or pregnancy sickness

Travelling by ferry or cruise ships

Some ferry companies don’t allow sailing on a ferry after 32 weeks of pregnancy, so check before booking. This can be 28 weeks for high-speed crossings (NHS, 2022).

If taking a cruise, check what medical facilities will be available on the ship. Also, look at services available where the cruise ship will stop (NHS, 2022).

Travel and sickness medication when pregnant

Motion sickness may be more common in pregnancy. If already suffering from pregnancy sickness, travel can make this worse (RCOG, 2022).  

Tips to lessen travel sickness include:

• Focus on the horizon or a distant object
• Aim to be at the most stable part of the vehicle – over the plane wing, in the middle of a seagoing vessel, front seat in a car
• Fresh air may help – a car window, the deck of a vessel, the fan on an airplane
• Frequent light snacks may be better than a heavy meal 

Search the BUMPS site for information about suitable medicines for travel sickness or traveller’s tummy. 

Can I have travel vaccinations when pregnant?

Non-live vaccines are safe in pregnancy (NHS, 2022).

Live vaccines are usually not recommended, but sometimes it’s safer to have them if it’s necessary to travel. This is when the chance of harm to the baby from the illness is higher. Ask the midwife about specific vaccinations (NHS, 2022; NHS, 2023).  

Live vaccines include (NHS, 2023):

• BCG (for tuberculosis)
• MMR (measles, mumps and rubella)
• Oral typhoid
• Yellow fever 

You can read more about travel vaccinations when travelling on the NHS page. The Travelpro website shows diseases by country.

Malaria and Zika virus

Both Malaria and Zika virus are spread by mosquitoes. There are no vaccinations for these (NHS, 2023).

It is recommended not to travel to areas with Zika virus when pregnant. Find out more about the Zika virus risk in specific countries on the Travel Health Pro website.

Pregnant women and people are more likely to get malaria than others.  

When it’s necessary to travel, talk to a health professional about taking antimalarial tablets. This could be less risky for the baby than getting ill (NHS, 2023).

Take precautions to stop getting bitten by insects (NHS, 2023):

• Use mosquito repellent suitable for pregnancy
• Cover skin as much as possible with long trousers and socks, and a long-sleeved top
• Use a mosquito net at night  

RCOG has more information on malaria and pregnancy.