With proper planning and advice, travel during pregnancy is not a problem. To ensure that you and your baby remain healthy during travel, you need to consider the stage of your pregnancy, your current physical condition, and any restrictions or problems you and your doctor have discussed.

Ensure you don't miss any important physician visits or tests while away by scheduling them before you go. These can include Rh immunoglobulin injections (for Rh negative blood types), ultrasounds, glucose screening tests and regular prenatal, physician visits.

So, you've performed the above, your doctor says you can go, you need to compile a list of phone numbers and contacts to bring 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 Your name, age and blood type, and any medications you are taking, as well as your health care insurance information. Also include your due date, the date of your most recent doctor appointment, any allergies you may have to medication or foods, and any immunizations you may have had before travel %u2022 Your doctor's name and contact information %u2022 Any doctor's name and phone number you may be using while you are away from home %u2022 Emergency contact information for your family (include more than one contact)

Take adequate pregnancy vitamins, medications (prescription or otherwise) so you are covered for the duration of your trip. Obtain health insurance that will cover all eventualities during travel including complications, your entire pregnancy and birth plus make sure there aren't any small print clauses regarding travel in certain 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.

Make sure you incorporate plenty of rest in your day whilst traveling as you are more likely to become fatigued while pregnant and engaging in normal activities. Take advantage of the facilities and relax on the beach, get room service or watch a pay per view movie in your room. Anticipate culinary and schedule disruptions so carry healthy snacks such as nuts, crackers, dried fruit with you. Flying, traveling and pregnancy coupled with different climates will dehydrate so drink lots of water.

Toileting is an important factor to consider. As an expectant mother, you are likely to need to use the bathroom often. Try to plan trips and activities that are close to bathrooms. And plan extra time for 'pit stops' if you are traveling by car. Plane travel means long periods of sitting so feet and legs will probably swell. Wear comfortable, expandable shoes and socks and elevate your feet whenever possible. 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.

There may be challenges obtaining quality water, food and healthcare in some developing countries. When pregnant you should try to avoid traveling to such regions. Yeast infections can be brought on in hot, humid areas so avoid same by wearing cotton undergarments and loose, lightweight clothes. 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.

Surfing, waterskiing, scuba diving, parasailing, horseback riding, skiing, water slides and extreme carnival rides should be avoided especially later in your pregnancy. You don't want your body temperature elevated when pregnant so give hot tubs and saunas a wide berth. Exercising in a gym and jogging, if you have done it before and are following a pregnancy suitable regime, is ok as is walking and hiking at low altitudes, swimming in calm water and bike riding. Always discuss your plans for exercise with your doctor first.

Be smart! Don't be afraid to take a rest if you feel you are overdoing it and feel dizzy, tired or overheated. Travel, especially to other time zones, can throw your eating schedule off and cause more problems with bloating, and indigestion. Eat little and often. Don't eat close to bedtime (allow 2-3 hours to digest your food). Prop yourself up on pillows in bed. Avoid alcohol, carbonated beverages, caffeine, chocolate, acidic foods (citrus fruits, tomatoes, and vinegar), and spicy foods. 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. In an airplane, sit over the wing, and on a boat, try to stay on the deck and focus on the horizon. 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. Studies show that this device helps some pregnant women with morning sickness and motion sickness.

If you follow these suggestions, you should have a pleasant and healthy trip. Listen to your doctor and if they recommend that you don't travel..don't. It is best to put off the trip for another time after the baby is born, rather than to risk your health and the health of your unborn child!