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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. 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. Using this list other travelers or health care professionals can be guided should you encounter any pregnancy related health problems.

This information should include: %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 Your doctor's name and contact information %u2022 Names and telephone numbers for a family emergency contact %u2022 Any doctor's name and phone number you may be using while you are away from home

Take adequate pregnancy vitamins, medications (prescription or otherwise) so you are covered for the duration of your trip. 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 a relaxing bath, use room service, sit on the beach or watch an in-room movie. 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.

Take your bathroom schedule into consideration. As an expectant mother, you are likely to need to use the bathroom often. Don't plan vacation or travel activities that require you to be out in the middle of nowhere, away from facilities. And plan extra time for 'pit stops' if you are traveling by car. Remember that your feet and legs are likely to swell during pregnancy if you are sitting for long periods of time. Wear comfortable, expandable shoes and socks and elevate your feet whenever possible. Get up and walk around whenever you can on a plane, train or bus and if you are traveling by car, be sure to walk around a bit when you stop to use the bathroom.

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. When pregnant you should try to avoid traveling to such regions. If you are traveling to a hot, humid destination, avoid yeast infections by wearing lightweight, loose-fitting clothes, and cotton underwear. 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! If you start to feel tired, overheated, dizzy or uncomfortable, slow down, rest, take a break or stop what you are doing. Travel, especially to other time zones, can throw your eating schedule off and cause more problems with bloating, and indigestion. Try eating several small meals during the day. Don't eat close to bedtime (allow 2-3 hours to digest your food). Sleep with your upper body propped on pillows. Avoid alcohol, carbonated beverages, caffeine, chocolate, acidic foods (citrus fruits, tomatoes, and vinegar), and spicy foods. Try to eat high-fiber foods to avoid constipation and bloat, and stay active to keep your digestive tract moving.

Sitting in the front of the car and keeping the window open for fresh air will help with motion sickness. If traveling on a ship try to stay on deck focusing on the horizon and sit over the wing on an airplane. Acupuncture, pressure point bracelets are available to be worn on the wrist. Motion sickness and pregnancy morning sickness can be alleviated by these devices.

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 devices.

HealthyPregnancys.com offers articles and resources for all moms to be. Your guide to pregnancy is at Pregnancy