Holiday travel during pregnancy: What’s safe and what’s not

Monday, November 10, 2025

[4 MIN READ]

Most people can travel safely while pregnant, but you should take some precautions since travel risks can change based on your due date and pregnancy complications.
The best time to travel while pregnant is the second trimester, but you should talk to your OB-GYN, midwife or other healthcare provider before leaving.
There are ways to lower travel risks during pregnancy, such as wearing a seatbelt, getting up frequently to prevent blood clots and drinking plenty of water.

Holiday travel during pregnancy: What’s safe and what’s not

The holidays often mean lots of travel plans — especially if your gatherings aren’t nearby. But what if you’re pregnant? Is long-distance traveling safe during pregnancy?

“Fortunately, most people can travel safely while pregnant,” says Dafna Trites, D.O., a Providence OB-GYN at Facey Medical Group in Tarzana, California. “But you should still take some precautions, since travel risks can change depending on your due date and other pregnancy complications.”

Can you fly while pregnant?

Most people can fly during pregnancy. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), airlines will let you fly in the United States until around 36 weeks if you’re pregnant. If you’re flying internationally, the air travel deadline may be sooner. Usually, you can confirm with the airline before you book your plane ticket.

“The best time for air travel is in the second trimester,” explains Dr. Trites. “Morning sickness has usually ended by that point, and most of the common pregnancy emergencies happen in the first and third trimesters. I always recommend talking to your healthcare provider, though, because they understand your pregnancy and any conditions you have, and how flying may affect them.”

Car travel safety

You can also travel by car when you’re pregnant, though shorter trips are better. If you’re on a long trip, you’ll want to plan to make several stops, so you can stretch your legs.

“It’s important to keep blood flowing in your legs and feet,” says Dr. Trites. “Being seated for more than four hours can increase your risk of blood clots, so it helps to walk around, rotate your feet at the ankle and move your toes.”

Also, be sure to travel in a car with airbags and wear your seatbelt. The lap part of the strap should sit just below your belly. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that wearing a seatbelt is the single best way to protect you and your baby in a car crash.

Pregnancy travel restrictions and risks

Like Dr. Trites, ACOG says the safest time to travel is during the second trimester, at about 14 to 28 weeks of pregnancy. Beyond 28 weeks, traveling starts to get riskier. This timeframe may not apply if you have a high-risk pregnancy.

“Typically, we don’t recommend travel for people with pregnancy complications, such as high blood pressure or preeclampsia, pre-labor rupture of membranes, also called PROM, or premature labor or risk of preterm labor,” says Dr. Trites.

The risk of traveling far away is that you don’t have easy access to your doctor, hospital or medicines if you need them. You could also go into preterm labor and have your baby early.

Long periods of sitting can increase your risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which causes blood clots to form in leg veins. Additionally, travel can increase chances of getting an infection — from food, water, crowds or something else.

When traveling, you should watch out for symptoms, including:

Pelvic pain or contractions
Preeclampsia symptoms, such as headache, eyesight changes or swelling
Severe vomiting or diarrhea
Signs of deep vein thrombosis, such as leg swelling, pain or changes in skin color
Vaginal bleeding

Safety tips for pregnant travelers

Here are a few ways to lower travel risks while pregnant:

Break up long trips into shorter travel days.
Bring a copy of your medical records, including prescriptions, and health insurance card.
Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.
Get updated vaccines as needed before you travel.
Locate the nearest hospital or medical facility at your destination in case you need it.
Move and stretch your legs at least every hour (request an aisle seat if you’re flying).
Pack healthy snacks, so you don’t go without eating.
Wear comfortable shoes with compression stockings when needed.
Wear your seatbelt at all times — for both car and air travel.
Talk to your OB-GYN or midwife if you’re planning a trip.

“Just like every pregnancy is unique so are travel risks for each pregnant patient,” says Dr. Trites. “Whether you’re visiting Mom over the holidays, taking a beach trip or just needing a change of scenery, talk with your OB-GYN or midwife a few weeks in advance. They’ll help make sure you stay comfortable and safe.”

Pregnant and planning a trip? Need a maternity provider? Schedule an appointment with a Providence OB-GYN today.

Contributing caregiver

Dafna Trites, D.O., is a Providence OB-GYN at Facey Medical Group in Tarzana, California.

Find a doctor

If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant and are looking for an experienced, caring provider to help you navigate pregnancy and welcome your little one into the world, we can help. Providence offers maternity, prenatal care and obstetrics services. You can also search for an OB-GYN or midwife who’s right for you in our provider directory.

Download the Providence app

It’s all in the app: easily stay connected with Providence and your health. With the Providence app, you can schedule appointments, have virtual visits from the comfort of your home, get personalized health recommendations, access your health records and so much more. Learn more and download the app.