Travel During Pregnancy

It’s usually safe to travel until close to your due date as long as you take safety precautions to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey. But the risks of travel may change depending on how far along you are in pregnancy. And travel may not be recommended if you have pregnancy complications.

If you are planning a trip, talk with your obstetrician–gynecologist (ob-gyn). And no matter how you choose to travel, think ahead about your comfort and safety.

• Infections caused by food, water, insect bites, and viruses that are spread in crowded areas

• Blood clots from sitting for long periods of time

• Having pregnancy complications while you are away from your doctor, hospital, or medications

• Preterm labor or giving birth during your trip

The best time to travel is mid-pregnancy (14 to 28 weeks). During these weeks, your energy has returned, morning sickness is improved or gone, and you are still able to get around easily.

After 28 weeks, travel may be riskier. It may be harder to move around or sit for a long time, and you are at higher risk of going into labor.

Yes, talk about your travel plans with your ob-gyn. You can discuss whether it is safe for you to travel.

Travel is not recommended if you have certain complications, including

• preeclampsia

• prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM)

• preterm labor

You should have a prenatal check-up 4 to 6 weeks before you leave. At this visit:

• Your ob-gyn may confirm your due date.

• You may talk about destination-specific vaccines and medicines.

• You may discuss what symptoms to watch for while traveling.

• Ask your ob-gyn about your health concerns and share what kinds of activities you are planning. They may have specific advice and recommendations.

If you need immediate care while you are away, your health care professionals will need to know how far along you are and any other important information about your pregnancy. If you are traveling far from home, take a copy of your health record and health insurance information with you.

Some travel companies, such as airlines or cruise operators, may require a note from your ob-gyn indicating your due date before they let you travel. They have certain cutoff dates for travel and may require proof of gestational age. Check your airline or cruise operator for their policies.

Your ob-gyn may want to double-check that your vaccines are up to date, even if you reviewed them at an earlier prenatal visit. You may also need more vaccines depending on where you are going.

Many countries require that visitors be vaccinated against infectious diseases that are common in their country. Even if you are traveling within the United States, there may be states experiencing flu, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), whooping cough, or other illness outbreaks in the community you’re visiting. Talk with your ob-gyn about which vaccines are recommended to keep you and your pregnancy safe.

Some symptoms could signal a health problem. Go to a hospital or call emergency medical services right away if you have any of the following:

• Vaginal bleeding

• Pelvic or abdominal pain or contractions

• Rupture of the membranes (your “water breaks”)

• Signs and symptoms of preeclampsia (headache that will not go away, seeing spots or other changes in eyesight, swelling of the face or hands)

• Severe vomiting or diarrhea

• Fever

• Signs of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) (read Preventing Deep Vein Thrombosis)

DVT is a condition where a blood clot forms in the veins, usually in the leg. DVT can lead to a dangerous condition called pulmonary embolism. This is when a blood clot travels to the lungs. Research shows that any type of travel lasting 4 hours or more—whether by car, train, bus, or plane—doubles the risk of DVT. Being pregnant is an extra risk factor for DVT.

If you are planning a long trip, take the following steps to reduce your risk of DVT:

• Drink lots of fluids without caffeine.

• Wear loose-fitting clothing.

• Walk and stretch at regular intervals.

Special stockings that compress the legs, either below the knee or full length, can be worn to help prevent blood clots from forming. Talk with your ob-gyn before you try these stockings. Some people should not wear them (for example, if you have diabetes or other circulation problems). Also, compression stockings can increase the risk of DVT if they are too tight or worn incorrectly.

Visit your ob-gyn at least 4 to 6 weeks before a trip outside the United States. During this visit you can talk about your travel plans, get advice about specific health problems, and talk about vaccines that are recommended for the area you will be visiting.

You should also call your health insurance company at least 4 to 6 weeks before an international trip. Ask if you are covered outside the United States and if they cover pregnancy and newborn complications while abroad. If not, you may be able to buy travel health insurance.

Other tips include:

• Carry a copy of your health record with you when you leave the country.

• Bring a copy of your prescriptions for medications in case they are lost.

• Pack a travel health kit.

• Find the nearest hospital or medical clinic in the place you are visiting.

Before you travel, it is important to check the health risks in the country you are going to visit. Some areas may have outbreaks of infectious diseases like malaria, Zika, and more. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has health notices and travel recommendations by country on its Travelers’ Health website.

When taking a car trip, the shortest route is often the best. Stop regularly to stretch and move around. Make each day as safe as possible by following these tips:

• Wear your seat belt at all times. The belt should sit low on your hip bones, below your belly.

• Plan to make frequent stops. Use these stops to move around and stretch your legs.

• Wear comfortable shoes and clothing that is not too tight.

• Wear a few layers of light clothing that can easily be added or removed.

• Eat regular meals to boost your energy.

• Drink extra fluids. Take water with you. You may need to pee more often—don’t hold it too long.

Read Car Safety for Pregnant Women, Babies, and Children to learn more.

Long-distance travel, lasting more than 4 hours, carries a small risk of blood clots (read “What should I know about deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and preventing blood clots?” above). If you need to make a long trip, do not travel on your own, and try to share the driving with your companion. 

When not driving, you can do exercises, such as flexing and rotating your feet and wiggling your toes. This will keep the blood flowing through your legs and reduce any stiffness and discomfort.

During a healthy pregnancy, occasional air travel is almost always safe. Most airlines allow you to fly inside the United States until about 36 weeks of pregnancy. Your ob-gyn can provide proof of your due date if needed.

If you are planning an international flight, the cutoff for traveling may be earlier. Check with your airline.

Yes. Lower air pressure during a flight may slightly reduce the amount of oxygen in your blood, but your body will adjust. Radiation exposure increases at higher altitudes, but the level of exposure isn’t a concern for occasional travel.

If you work on an airline crew or fly often, talk with your ob-gyn about how much flying is safe for you.

Avoid flying if you have a medical or pregnancy condition that may be made worse by flying or could require emergency medical care. Remember that most common pregnancy emergencies usually happen in the first and third trimesters.

• Book an aisle seat if you can. This makes it easier to get up and stretch your legs during a long flight.

• Avoid gas-producing carbonated drinks before or during your flight. Gas expands at high altitude and can cause discomfort. Drink water instead.

• Wear your seat belt at all times. Turbulence can happen without warning during air travel. The belt should sit low on your hip bones, below your belly.

• Move your feet, toes, and legs often to keep the blood flowing through your legs. Get up and walk around a few times during your flight. For long-distance travel, your ob-gyn may recommend compression stockings to reduce your risk of a blood clot (read “What should I know about deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and preventing blood clots?” above).

One of the most common health problems for people taking a cruise is seasickness (also called motion sickness). Seasickness can cause nausea, dizziness, weakness, headache, and vomiting.

If seasickness is not usually a problem for you, traveling by sea during pregnancy may not upset your stomach. If you have never taken a cruise, planning your first one while you are pregnant may not be a good idea.

Many cruise ships only allow you to travel until about 23 weeks of pregnancy. Your ob-gyn can provide proof of your due date if needed.

Plan to wash your hands often with soap and water. Pack hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol for those times when you will not be near a sink.

Before you leave, ask your ob-gyn about which medications are safe for you to take to calm seasickness, if needed.

Make sure a doctor or nurse is on the ship and that your scheduled stops include medical facilities in case you need medical attention.

You may also want to check whether your health insurance is accepted where you are traveling. Bring your health insurance card, a copy of your prescriptions, a travel health kit, and your doctor’s phone number or chat app in case you need to talk with them. Bring enough prescription medications with you to last for your whole trip, and some extra in case there are travel delays.

Before you book a cruise, you can check whether your ship has passed a health and safety inspection by CDC. The CDC inspects cruise ships to prevent widespread virus outbreaks. You can read these reports on the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program website.

You can get sick if you eat raw or undercooked food or drink local water in some countries. Serious illnesses, such as hepatitis A and listeriosis, can also be spread by contaminated food and water. These diseases can cause severe complications during pregnancy.

Travelers’ diarrhea (TD) is the most predictable travel-related illness, depending on the destination and season of travel. Making careful food and drink choices and carefully washing hands with soap whenever available can help reduce your risk of TD.

Safe eating can help you avoid illness:

• Avoid fresh fruits and vegetables unless they have been cooked or you have washed and peeled them yourself.

• Do not eat raw or undercooked meat or fish.

• Do not drink milk or eat foods made with milk that has not been pasteurized.

Tap water may not be safe some countries. If you are traveling somewhere the tap water is not safe, follow these tips:

• Boil tap water for one minute before drinking it. Carbonated drinks are safe.

• Do not put ice made from unboiled water in your drinks.

• Do not drink out of glasses that may have been washed in unboiled water.

• Brush your teeth with bottled water.

Get more tips from the CDC at Traveler's Health: Food and Drink Considerations When Traveling.

During pregnancy, you are more likely to become severely ill from COVID-19 than people who are not pregnant. While traveling, you can protect yourself and your pregnancy by getting the latest COVID-19 vaccine. This vaccine is safe during pregnancy.

Consider wearing a mask in crowded areas, such as airports and other transportation hubs.

Read more: COVID-19, Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Breastfeeding: Answers From Ob-Gyns

You may have heard about noroviruses, which affect the digestive system. Noroviruses are very contagious and can spread quickly on cruise ships and other crowded locations.

Symptoms include cramping, diarrhea, and vomiting. You can get infected by eating food, drinking liquids, or touching surfaces that are contaminated with the virus.

The only way to prevent norovirus is to wash your hands often with soap and water, especially before eating. Hand sanitizers do not kill norovirus.

If you have symptoms of norovirus, seek medical care right away.

There are several mosquito-borne diseases around the world and in parts of the United States. Before you travel, check the CDC Travel Health Notices to learn about health risks during outbreaks of these diseases. If you can’t avoid or delay travel to these locations, talk with your ob-gyn about your options. Read the questions below for information about specific illnesses.

Zika is a virus that can cause severe birth defects and is spread through mosquito bites and sex. If you have a sex partner who lives in or has traveled to an area with Zika, you should use condoms for the rest of your pregnancy. 

If you are infected with Zika virus during pregnancy, your baby is at risk of serious birth defects, including microcephaly. Microcephaly can lead to lifelong problems, such as seizures, feeding problems, hearing loss, vision problems, and learning difficulties.

Zika virus was first found in Central, North, and South America, but there have been cases of Zika virus infection throughout the world. Pregnant travelers should avoid travel to areas with an active CDC Zika Travel Health Notice. You can check if Zika virus is spreading in any country at the CDC Zika Travel Information.

Malaria is a serious disease that is spread by mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, and nausea and vomiting. 

While you are pregnant, you should not travel to areas where there is risk of malaria, including Africa, Asia, and Central and South America. If you can’t avoid travel to these areas, your ob-gyn may prescribe an antimalarial medication that is safe to use during pregnancy.

Chikungunya virus is spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. The most common symptoms of chikungunya are fever and joint pain. Other symptoms can include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash.

There are currently no medicines to treat chikungunya. The best way to prevent chikungunya is to protect yourself from mosquito bites.

There have been outbreaks in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. But infected travelers may spread the virus to other areas. Talk with your ob-gyn if you are traveling to an area with risk for chikungunya.

Dengue is a year-round risk in many parts of the world, with outbreaks happening every 2 to 5 years. Dengue is spread by mosquito bites. The most common symptoms are fever with eye pain, nausea and vomiting, or rash. 

Some countries are reporting increased numbers of cases of the disease. These include countries in North, South, and Central America, as well as islands in the Caribbean.

Oropouche is a virus that can cause severe birth defects. It is spread primarily through the bites of infected midges (small flies) and mosquitoes. The most common symptoms are fever, headache, chills, and muscle and joint pain.

If you are infected with Oropouche virus during pregnancy, your fetus is at risk of serious birth defects, like microcephaly, or stillbirth.

There have been outbreaks of Oropouche in countries in South and Central America, as well as islands in the Caribbean.

There are currently no medicines to treat Oropouche. The best way to prevent Oropouche is to protect yourself from mosquito bites. Before travel, visit CDC's Travelers' Health website for any active Oropouche Travel Health Notices and talk with your ob-gyn.

If you are traveling to areas with mosquito-borne diseases (and you cannot avoid or delay your trip), take the following precautions:

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants to help protect against mosquito bites.

• Treat clothing and gear with permethrin, or buy items that are treated with permethrin.

• Use EPA-registered bug spray with DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or para-menthane-diol. Used as directed, these sprays are safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding.

• Sleep in air-conditioned rooms or rooms with window screens or mosquito nets.

For more information, visit CDC’s page on Preventing Mosquito Bites.

Even if you are in good health before going on a trip, be prepared for an emergency. You should look up the nearest hospital or medical clinic in the place you are visiting. You may also want to check whether they accept your health insurance.

Bring your health insurance card, a copy of your prescriptions, a travel health kit, and your doctor’s contact information with you. You should bring enough prescription medications with you to last for your whole trip, and some extra in case there are travel delays.

For tips on how to find an ob-gyn, read How to Find an Ob-Gyn.

To find other health care professionals, you can try the Find a Doctor tool from The American Medical Association (AMA).

The International Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM) has a worldwide directory of doctors who provide health care for travelers. Visit www.istm.org.

You can also register with the United States embassy or consulate. This may help if you need to leave the country because of an emergency.

If you or your partner feel sick after your trip, especially if you have a fever, talk to your ob-gyn and your partner’s doctor right away. Make sure to tell them where you traveled and what you did.

Avoid contact with other people while you are sick. While you wait for a diagnosis, consider using condoms to prevent sexually transmitted infections.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Travelers’ Health
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

• Pregnant Travelers: Learn more about how to prepare for your trip.

• Travel Notices: Learn if there are any diseases circulating in your travel destination.

• Vessel Sanitation Program: Check the health status of your cruise ship.

Heading Home Healthy: For the Traveler
https://www.headinghomehealthy.org/traveler/
Travel health advice and checklists from Massachusetts General Hospital.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/pregnant-seat-belt-use.pdf
Information on safe car use during pregnancy.

Complications: Diseases or conditions that happen as a result of another disease or condition. An example is pneumonia that develops with the flu. An example of a pregnancy complication is preterm labor.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): A condition where a blood clot forms in veins in the leg or other areas of the body.

Diabetes: A condition that causes high levels of sugar in the blood.

Fetus: The stage of human development beyond 8 completed weeks after fertilization.

Hepatitis A: An infection caused by a virus that can be spread by contaminated food or water.

Listeriosis [lihs-tee-ree-OH-suhs]: A type of illness you can get from bacteria found in unpasteurized milk, hot dogs, luncheon meats, and smoked seafood.

Malaria: A disease caused by a parasite that is spread through mosquito bites.

Microcephaly [my-kroh-SEF-uh-lee]: A birth defect that causes a baby’s head and brain to be smaller than normal. Babies with microcephaly may have seizures, developmental delays, mental disability, vision and hearing problems, and problems with balance and movement.

Obstetrician–Gynecologist (ob-gyn): A doctor with medical and surgical training and education in the female reproductive system.

Oxygen: An element that people breathe in to sustain life.

Preeclampsia [pre-ee-KLAMP-see-uh]: A disorder during pregnancy or after childbirth that causes high blood pressure and other signs of organ injury. These signs include an abnormal amount of protein in the urine, a low number of platelets, abnormal kidney or liver function, pain over the upper abdomen, fluid in the lungs, a severe headache, or vision changes.

Prelabor Rupture of Membranes (PROM): Rupture of the amniotic membranes that happens before labor begins. Also called premature rupture of membranes.

Preterm: Less than 37 weeks of pregnancy.

Radiation: A type of energy that is transmitted in the form of rays, waves, or particles.

Stillbirth: Birth of a dead fetus.

Trimesters: Time periods of 3 months. There are three trimesters in pregnancy: the first trimester, second trimester, and third trimester.

Zika: A disease caused by the Zika virus, which is spread through mosquito bites. Infection during pregnancy can cause birth defects.