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As a frequent traveler who is now pregnant for the first time, I’ve had to make some adjustments over the past seven-and-a-half months. My husband and I continue to travel frequently– we’ve taken trips to Sweden, Paris, Slovenia, Thailand, Cambodia, Greece, London, Wales, Krakow, and Rome since finding out we were expecting.

Though we’ve had to slow down a bit to accommodate my changing needs, traveling when pregnant is still extremely fun and rewarding. The items below have helped me stay active and comfortable on my trips, even the nearly twelve-hour flight from Amsterdam to Bangkok!

Traveling when Pregnant: Packing Tips

Written by: Emily Souza Rutkowski

Water bottle

Staying hydrated is always important, and even more so if you’re traveling when pregnant. Water is essential for you and your baby, and has so many positives, including reduction of water retention, keeping you “regular” and keeping skin healthy. My favorite water bottles are the glass ones, as they are BPA free and make water taste better and keep it colder, at least in my opinion. If you are looking for a very lightweight and portable water bottle though, a stainless steel or plastic one may be a better choice.

Compression stockings

Although you won’t get a fashion prize for this one, wearing compression socks on my longer flights made a world of difference! No swollen feet or ankles at the end of the journey was definitely worth it. I bought my black travel-specific ones at my local REI-equivalent.

Find out how compression socks can save your feet from swelling!

Snacks

This one might be obvious, but packing snacks if you’re traveling when pregnant can also make a huge difference. Choose healthy and portable options, like fresh or dried fruit, granola bars, and nuts. They will also be lifesavers if airplane or other nearby food doesn’t agree with your sensitive stomach and nose.

Small pillow

Bringing a neck pillow can help you sleep anywhere. On flights, it also means you can use the airplane-provided pillow as a cushion under your bum or to help support your lower back. I like inflatable neck pillows because they are easy to pack away when not in use.

Check out our top ten neck pillows!

Lotion

Not only will lotion help keep your skin hydrated, but if you bring a lightly scented one, it can help fight any odors that are bothering you! This is important, since my sense of smell is bordering on scary these days.

Anti-nausea treatments

I always carried ginger gum and ginger candy with me in the early days of my pregnancy, when I was constantly nauseous. These were especially helpful on train rides and flights when I would sometimes suddenly feel ill.

Always speak to your doctor before trying any new medications especially traveling when pregnant.

Maxi dresses

Maxi dresses have been fabulous travel companions for me lately. You can easily dress them up or down, can add a cardigan or jacket in cooler weather, and they are easy to accessorize. An added bonus is that a bump can actually make maxi dresses easier to wear for shorter people like me. I have purchased both maternity-specific dresses and “regular” ones in a larger than normal size. My current favorite is this one from Second Female (note it’s a little thicker so not ideal for really hot weather).

Accessories

Belts and necklaces can add interest and help give a new look to a plain or repeated dress or shirt. Belts also help provide definition on non-maternity clothes. I’ve been getting a lot of use out of my skinny belts and long necklaces.

Maternity leggings

Leggings are great if you’re traveling when pregnant because they are versatile, comfortable, and great for layering. Maternity leggings can also provide support for your growing tummy. I really like the leggings I’ve gotten from Ingrid&Isabel. (Also check out their activewear version.)

For more ideas, check out the best leggings for travel!

Comfortable Shoes

Travel shoes should always be comfortable, but it’s even more important if you’re traveling when pregnant. Shoes can be the difference between a day of happy exploration and having to head back to the hotel early to rest your sore back and feet.

The shoes that have worked for me this spring and summer are Superga slip-on sneakers and Keen City of Palms sandals. The City of Palms sandal isn’t exactly my usual style, but they are super comfortable, durable, and required zero break-in time. Whatever you choose; make sure they are supportive, comfortable and broken in enough to prevent blisters.

Take a look at ten more travel sandal styles for your summer trips!

Our big trips are now over and we’ll be sticking closer to home for the remainder of my pregnancy. Now I’m beginning to start thinking about how to make travel with a young child as relaxed as possible. Let me know if you have any tips!

What are your tips on traveling when pregnant? Comment below!

For more tips on family packing, please read:

• Traveling with Babies: Interview with I Heart Family Travels
• Interview with Family Getaways Expert Mom Jody from Family Rambling
• Traveling with Children: 11 Must-Haves For Flights With Preschoolers
• New Mom Fashion Tips: What to Wear When Traveling with Your Little One

Hope you liked these packing tips on traveling when pregnant. Please share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Thanks for reading!

Author Bio: Emily is a lifelong travel fanatic who is constantly making additions to her “upcoming destinations” list. (Yes, she is also a list person.) She is currently based in the Netherlands, where she lives with her husband.