Travel during pregnancy shouldn't be problematic providing you follow the advice in this article and plan well in advance. Consider the stage of your pregnancy, any issues or problems your doctor has indicated and your own physical and emotional condition so that you ensure your baby and you remain healthy.

Ensure you don't miss any important physician visits or tests while away by scheduling them before you go. These can include Rh immunoglobulin injections (for Rh negative blood types), ultrasounds, glucose screening tests and regular prenatal, physician visits.

Assuming your doctor says it is OK for you to travel, be sure you prepare a complete list of contact names and phone numbers to take with you. If you have problems during your trip and need care or attention, health care professionals or other travelers can ensure that you get appropriate care.

Included in the list should be the following: %u2022 Personal information, your medications, insurance details and blood type. List also what immunizations you have had, when your last prenatal visit occurred, your due date and any allergies you have %u2022 Names and telephone numbers for a family emergency contact %u2022 Name and telephone number of your doctor %u2022 Name and telephone number of the doctor you can use whilst traveling should you encounter any problems during your pregnancy

Be sure you have ample supply of prescription and over the counter medications, and prenatal vitamins. Make certain that your health insurance policy covers pregnancy, delivery and other complications during travel and be sure to double check any restrictions that may apply to travel in foreign countries.

Your pregnancy could involve unforeseen health issues that may necessitate altering travel plans or could add extra expenses so make sure your travel insurance will cover these. Ask if this insurance covers complications from pregnancy and emergency transport. Ensure you bring a cell phone and make any alterations required so it will work in all countries on your itinerary.

You can plan normal activities while you are traveling, but understand that you are likely to get tired more quickly when you are pregnant, so plan for extra rest during each travel day. Take advantage of the facilities and relax on the beach, get room service or watch a pay per view movie in your room. Eating healthy is important, and your schedule is likely to be different on the road, so take nuts, dry fruit, and cheese and crackers with you. Drink plenty of water and avoid dehydration, especially if you are flying to your destination.

Toileting is an important factor to consider. Pregnancy usually necessitates frequent bathroom visits. Try to plan trips and activities that are close to bathrooms. Build these bathroom visits into your schedule so you have time to get from A to B. Plane travel means long periods of sitting so feet and legs will probably swell. Try to elevate your feet if possible and wear really comfortable, stretchy shoes and socks. Grab every opportunity to get up and walk around and use any pit stops to get some exercise in.

Discuss any necessary vaccines required for foreign trips with your doctor and ensure they are safe for you during your pregnancy. Varicella for measles, mumps, rubella and chicken pox is a live vaccine and should be avoided. Information on these vaccines are limited and so they should be considered a risk even though the Centers for Disease Control report no fetal damage from live vaccines. Pregnant women at risk from getting Hepatitis B, tetanus and Hepatitis A should be vaccinated as these vaccines are considered safe.

There may be challenges obtaining quality water, food and healthcare in some developing countries. When pregnant you should try to avoid traveling to such regions. Yeast infections can be brought on in hot, humid areas so avoid same by wearing cotton undergarments and loose, lightweight clothes. Wet swimming suits should be removed as soon as possible and it might be an idea to suggest bringing some anti-fungal cream to your doctor.

Avoid risky activities, especially late in pregnancy: snow skiing, water skiing, surfing, horseback riding, parasailing, scuba diving, water slides and some more extreme amusement park rides. You don't want your body temperature elevated when pregnant so give hot tubs and saunas a wide berth. You can walk and hike at low altitudes, swim in calm waters (not in heavy surf or rapids), ride a stationary or regular bike, exercise in the hotel gym (if you have been used to exercising before and during your pregnancy) and jog if you jogged before pregnancy. Always discuss your plans for exercise with your doctor first.

Be smart! Don't be afraid to take a rest if you feel you are overdoing it and feel dizzy, tired or overheated. Travel, especially to other time zones, can throw your eating schedule off and cause more problems with bloating, and indigestion. Eat little and often. Don't eat close to bedtime (allow 2-3 hours to digest your food). Prop yourself up on pillows in bed. Avoid alcohol, carbonated beverages, caffeine, chocolate, acidic foods (citrus fruits, tomatoes, and vinegar), and spicy foods. Keeping active will help keep things moving in your digestive region and fill up on high fiber foods to alleviate constipation etc.

Avoid motion sickness by sitting in the front seat of the car and keeping the window open to get plenty of fresh air. If traveling on a ship try to stay on deck focusing on the horizon and sit over the wing on an airplane. You can try wearing a specially designed wristband to deliver mild electrical current to a nerve at an acupuncture point on the underside of your wrist. Motion sickness and pregnancy morning sickness can be alleviated by these bands.

A comfortable and uneventful trip health wise is possible for a pregnant woman if she follows these tips. Listen to your doctor and if they recommend that you don't travel..don't. You can take the trip anytime, this is the time to consider the health of you and your new baby.