Babymoon Ideas and Tips for Travelling During Pregnancy

Hello, mamas-to-be! This is for anyone who’s pregnant or thinking about starting a family. Finding out I was expecting was pure joy and I knew a new adventure was beginning. As someone who loves to travel, I had to adjust my routines and figure out how much and how safely I could move around. I’ve put together the tips and considerations that helped me travel comfortably during pregnancy even managing a big move in the third trimester!

What is a Babymoon?

It’s a holiday a couple takes before their bundle of joy arrives. A great time for the future mamas to relax and enjoy before the demands of the motherhood set in.

Best time to plan

By the second trimester, my energy had returned as morning sickness faded, making it much easier to get around. Weeks 14-28 are generally the best period for travel.

How to travel

I was full of beans while planning my babymoon but wanted to be realistic at the same time because you can be energetic one day and feel low the next moment so plan things accordingly.

Air travel is fine during the second trimester, not that you can’t in the first or the last trimester but in either case you need to check with your doctor. Generally, women with an uncomplicated pregnancy can fly until 36 weeks, although after 28 weeks you need a letter from your doctor. Always check with the airline before booking your trip.

Road travel– We chose a road trip to Rajasthan and stayed at the gorgeous Tijara Fort Palace by Neemrana, a beautiful heritage property. Long distance travel during pregnancy can carry a small risk of blood clots (DVT), so taking breaks every couple of hours is important. For trips of a few hours, travel tends to be comfortable if you move around a bit and stay hydrated. And don’t forget to wear your seatbelt, even in the back seat.

Train travel– We traveled by train during the third trimester. It was a three day journey due to a big move. While having a private compartment made it more comfortable, long trips can still be challenging, so I wouldn’t recommend traveling more than a day at a stretch. Stocking up on healthy snacks, fruits and plenty of hydrating drinks really helped with hunger and energy.

Where to travel

There are no dearth of beautiful locations you can visit on your babymoon. However, I would recommend keeping your comfort and safety at the topmost priority. My personal suggestion is to choose a location that isn’t too far from home.

Countryside – Well, this always fascinates me and that’s where we went, to a heritage fort and felt like a royalty! Tijara Fort-Palace is a grand palace resort which dates back to the 19th century, a gorgeous property situated on a hill, surrounded by farmlands all around. It felt as if we’ve gone back in time! I’ll share about Tijara’s details in other article.

Mountains– Do they ever disappoint, nah! Enjoy the scenic views, the misty mountain air and reconnect with Mother Nature. But, don’t forget to consider the altitude level of your destination. It can put you and your baby at higher risk for pregnancy complications. Be careful of the distance as you may get uncomfortable during the serpent roads. Make sure there is a proper clinic or hospital nearby.

City Break– There’re so many changes happening in our body that our likings also change! Some days, you’re a country side fan and the other days you’d want to explore the hustle bustle of the city and paint it red. Well, do whatever floats your boat, just don’t exert yourself.

Somewhere Tropical – Beach holidays are the best, aren’t they? Just make sure the weather is not too hot and the walk from your hotel to the beach is short. Also a word of caution, it’s not the time to experiment with food, so be careful of what you eat.

What to eat

The best part of pregnancy was to enjoy a lot of guilt-free food!

I really enjoyed the vacation and didn’t stress too much about food but I stayed mindful of the pregnancy do’s and don’ts. It’s best to avoid raw or unpasteurized dairy and juice, undercooked meat or seafood, processed meats, raw or semi-cooked eggs, and high mercury fish like shark, swordfish, tuna and king mackerel. I wasn’t afraid to ask the kitchen staff questions about my meals and they were happy to clarify. And ladies, if something feels off, always trust your gut!

As I’ve already mentioned, pack healthy snacks, nuts and fruits so that you can keep munching from time to time. Keep enough water to stay hydrated. Don’t eat too much at one go, you might experience acid reflux and bloating(quite common in pregnancy). Having smaller, more frequent snacks and meals will prevent those symptoms.

What to wear

You don’t have to compromise on fashion just because you’re pregnant! You can be stylishly dressed yet be comfortable, for me it’s always the comfort, more so when you’re carrying.

Here’s a recap of everything I wore on this vacay called babymoon. Everything here is non-maternity so they can also work for other holidays or life in general.

Pack flowy dresses that are easy, breezy and comfy. Body hugging dresses make a great fit to show your cute bump, swimwear, sunscreen, hat, oversized shirts are a big yes as they can be used as a shrug at times. Oh yes, sneakers and flip flops were my best friends as who would want to get tired with uncomfortable footwear. I did wear heels occasionally (please see what works for you, it’s generally not recommended).

Tips for travelling while pregnant

1. Drink plenty of water, try to stay as much hydrated as possible.

2. Bring a lot of healthy snacks. Dry fruits, Makhana and coconuts were my best friends!

3. Stay active. I used to go for walks, swim sessions and practiced yoga during the babymoon and otherwise too.

4. Do carry all your medical documents, have all the necessary information for just in case situation. I’m a firm believer that it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

5. Pack light, you can either carry your bump or the suitcase! I mean seriously, who would want to be lugging with the huge suitcase when pregnant so downsizing is the key. Plan your outfits in advance and pack accordingly.

Pregnancy tip– I’d recommend you to relax and take it easy! Please don’t exert or stretch yourself. Our bodies are trying to adjust to the new role of creating a human being which in itself is nothing short of magical! So we’re bound to feel a little (a lot) tired, nauseous, excited, nervous, overwhelmed etc etc so the least we can do is be kind to ourselves and enjoy the journey.

Hope these tips will help you plan your babymoon. Make memories and take a lot of pictures, like a lot! Every pregnancy is different so if you’re feeling up and down, it’s probably best to avoid traveling and enjoy at home. If you feel absolutely fine then don’t think much and just go for it. Babymoon should be all about relaxing, enjoying and pampering yourself. Happy pregnancy, enjoy this precious time and take good care of yourself!

Until then,

Glam Adventuress