If you’re planning a holiday or trip, make sure the travelling is manageable. Break the journey up if you can, and:

1. Be extra careful about food hygiene if you are abroad.
2. Avoid salads, ice creams and ice cubes in drinks in countries where you are not sure about the standard of cleanliness.
3. If you’re going somewhere warm, take care not to get too hot as it’s not good for you or the baby.
4. Don’t forget to protect your skin from the sun as well, as it’s more sensitive in pregnancy.
5. Pregnant women may be slightly more at risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) on long haul flights. Talk with your midwife or doctor before you take a long flight. You can ask their advice about wearing special socks or tights to help with circulation, or taking medication.

Tips for safe holiday travel

If you’re planning a trip during pregnancy, here’s how to stay safe and comfortable:

1. Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.
2. Wear loose comfortable clothes.
3. Get up and move around as often as you can.
4. Stretch your legs and make ankle circling movements every half an hour to improve circulation.
5. Vaccinations - If you’re travelling to North America or Europe, you probably won’t need any vaccinations, but if you’re travelling further afield, you may need to be immunised against polio, for example.
6. Pregnant women travelling to malaria-infested areas, should contact their GP for advice.