Following proper planning and advice, travel during pregnancy is not a problem. 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.

Also, talk to your doctor about visits or tests you need to schedule, so that you are not away during the time these are to take place. Prenatal visits, scheduled ultrasound tests, glucose screening tests or Rh immunoglobulin injections (for those whose blood type is Rh negative).

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.

If you are traveling to a foreign country, you and your doctor will have to consider any vaccines you will require to determine whether they are safe to administer during pregnancy. Avoid live vaccines like varicella for chicken pox, measles, mumps, and rubella. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report no fetal damage from live vaccines, but they admit that their information is limited, so these vaccines should still be considered risky. Vaccines for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis A, and tetanus, are safe and recommended for pregnant women at risk of getting these diseases.

In many developing countries local healthcare and the quality of available food and water are questionable. It is best to avoid travel to these countries while you are pregnant. If you are traveling to a hot, humid destination, avoid yeast infections by wearing lightweight, loose-fitting clothes, and cotton underwear. Change out of wet bathing suits as soon as you can, and talk to your doctor about carrying a tube of anti-fungal cream, just in case you need it.

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.

Box clever. Don't be afraid to take a rest if you feel you are overdoing it and feel dizzy, tired or overheated. Indigestion and bloating can be a huge problem when traveling due to changes in diet and eating patterns. Eat little and often. Never eat just before turning in allowing at least 2 hours for digestion. Prop yourself up on pillows in bed. Foods to avoid include spicy, chocolate, acidic foods, fruits and liquids, alcohol, caffeine and fizzy drinks such as pop. 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.