The case for traveling while pregnant

If you’re anything like me, the idea of traveling while pregnant might feel… complicated. Before I ever saw a positive test, I spent so much time worrying about the what if’s… what if I shouldn’t book this trip in case… what if I’m pregnant then? And because of that, I spent most of 2024 waiting for a baby that didn’t come, turning down trips and experiences I absolutely could have enjoyed. Looking back, I regret that period of holding my breath.

Because life doesn’t follow our perfectly organized timelines. Things happen unexpectedly. And when I finally did get pregnant, the reality was so different than the fears I had built up in my mind.

My pregnancy didn’t stop me from living. It expanded life in ways I didn’t expect.

(bun in the oven)

This year, while carrying my daughter, I traveled more than I expected — a total of 18 domestic and international flights, some up to 14 hours — and those experiences shaped my pregnancy in the most beautiful way.

So while I know you can find a lot of information out there around the reasons not to risk it - here is my case for traveling while pregnant.

The Anxiety of Early Pregnancy

I won’t sugarcoat it: the beginning of my pregnancy was filled with a lot of nerves. I was cautious during the first few weeks to get too excited, given that I I was experiencing very few symptoms early on. But what if that changed? The idea of traveling felt overwhelming at first. I worried about fatigue, nausea, food, medical care abroad — honestly, all of it.

But as the weeks passed, and with my doctor’s reassurance, I realized something important: pregnancy doesn’t automatically cancel your life.

Everyone’s symptoms vary, of course, but feeling anxious doesn’t mean you’re incapable. And being pregnant doesn’t mean you have to put your life entirely on pause.

Whether the adventures you’re debating are for personal travel, work travel, weddings, family commitments - I understand the type of stress a decision to travel while pregnant can bring. But sometimes delaying a decision, makes the decision for you. My recommendation is not to put your plans on hold - and don’t wait. You don’t know what the future is going to hold. If you are well enough to be in a position to travel while pregnant - go for it! Hope for the best!

---

Traveling the World in 2025 (With a Tiny Passenger!)

Once I leaned in and trusted myself, the experiences that followed became some of the most memorable of my entire pregnancy.

Copenhagen at 9 Weeks Pregnant

This was one of the destinations I was most looking forward to traveling to this year - and I’m so glad I did! It was a girls trip with my best friend Tonia, one that I think she knew I needed. She is the ever supportive friend in my life, with a similar mentality around traveling and joy for new experiences and great food - a perfect travel partner all around.

We targeted a window of opportunity in early April that worked for us both amongst our busy calendars. For me, this was after my ovarian surgery, and before starting to explore fertility treatments. I needed a fun break from the heaviness of life, and I was craving the feeling of going somewhere new.

When I found out I was pregnant, I couldn’t be happier! My appetite was insatiable, and my sweet tooth extreme. I was going to get to munch on some of the worlds best pastries in Copenhagen, what could be better?

Still early, still tired, still nervous — but it was the trip that reminded me I could do this. We moved slow, explored beautiful streets, ate pastries, and I learned how to listen to my body.

Dubai at 11 Weeks Pregnant

A few weeks later I was back at the airport, this time tagging along on a work trip with one of my best friends from college. I knew it was going to be a lot farther, but I was feeling pretty good, so I figured why not?

Even though the travel was long to get there, the trip was absolutely worth it. It was over 100°F every day, and I lived on a beach chair. How could I complain?

Floating in the calm waters of Palm Jumeirah, reading my book with a light breeze and, napping whenever I needed to… it was exactly what my fatigued first-trimester body needed.

And Then… I Got Sick (Because Pregnancy Isn’t Predictable)

Right after all that travel — between weeks 12 and 16 — the nausea hit. Along with coughing, aches, vomiting, and food aversions. I felt a bit awful for weeks. It didn’t mean I was home 24/7, I still had plenty of fun around the city, attending tons of concerts, going to dinners, local trips to visit friends, and celebrating my birthday in New Hope. Did I also have to relax a bit more than usual? Yes.

But you know what? I was so grateful the timing didn’t interfere with our trips. And even more grateful I didn’t let fear stop me from creating memories during the windows when I did feel well.

---

Eurotrip at 17 Weeks Pregnant — From Paris to the Dalmatian Coast

In February we had decided our summer vacation would be in the Balkans. Ryan was not as sold on this trip as I was upfront. I couldn’t wait to return to Paris as an adult and I knew the pastries would hit differently while pregnant. But I convinced him that the quick weekend in Paris would break up the longer flight to Croatia well.

By mid-June when we departed for our trip, I was in that magical second-trimester window — energized, enjoying food again, not yet winded. The whole trip ended up being absolutely perfect. We had amazing food, beautiful weather, fun adventures and drank in the rich culture of beautiful Croatia and Montenegro.

We celebrated being nearly halfway through pregnancy while on our babymoon. Beach days, wandering charming streets, swimming in the bluest waters, long lunches under blooming bougainvillea, naps in the sun… one of the most special memories of my pregnancy.

Frequent Flying While Pregnant

Between international trips and visits to friends and family, I ended up taking 18 flights while pregnant, and I don’t regret a single one. Flying actually became something I enjoyed — and yes, comfort helped a lot.

Thanks to my Delta Platinum status, many of my flights came with complimentary upgrades, which made an enormous difference. I even flew Delta One home from Paris after a last-minute flight cancellation and enjoyed the most comfortable transatlantic flight of my life while pregnant.

I also traveled domestically throughout my pregnancy — to and from Las Vegas, Florida, Boston, and Michigan. Each trip helped life feel normal, grounded, joyful.

I flew all the way up until 32 weeks, and if I could go back, I would do it the exact same way.

The only time I truly felt the sting of limitations was later on — I had to miss a very special trip with friends last month to California, and sadly couldn’t attend our best friends' wedding in Charleston. At 36 weeks pregnant, my doctor advised against flying, and while it was the right decision, it was so disappointing for me!

Still, I’m grateful I traveled as much as I did before reaching that final stretch.

---

Tips for Traveling While Pregnant:

Here’s everything that helped me feel more comfortable:

1. Hydration is EVERYTHING

Always have water. Always. I traveled with Needed electrolyte packets pre-portioned by serving to make staying hydrated effortless. Pregnancy requires more fluids, and travel dehydrates you quickly.

2. Bring Snacks Everywhere

Sometimes nausea meant “I need food now.” Cheese, granola bars, fruit gummies — anything that keeps your blood sugar steady helps so much.

3. Carry Your Pregnancy-Safe Medications

Don’t rely on finding them abroad. Here were my essentials that never left my bag:

• Tums

• Tylenol

• Robitussin (doctor-approved)

• Nausea candies

4. Pack a Vitamin Organizer

A simple travel case for prenatals makes it easy to stay consistent — even if your meals are random or you’re crossing time zones.

5. Get Trip Insurance or Book Refundable Stays

If you’re prone to anxiety (like me), this is worth every penny. It gives you freedom to make plans and the option to pivot if you need to.

6. Splurge for Comfort

Pregnancy + long flights = prioritize your body. Extra legroom, exit rows, premium economy — anything to make long flights more comfortable.

7. Bring a Personal Fan

Pregnancy makes you run hot — so this was life-changing. My lightweight portable fan saved me through a humid NYC summer, the heat of Dubai, and walking around Europe in the summer.

---

Don’t pause your life for a hypothetical timeline. Plan the trip. Take the flight.

You never know how you’re going to feel, or when things will finally align. I spent so much time waiting for something that didn’t happen when I thought it would — and that waiting period could have been filled with joy and adventure. Traveling while pregnant became one of the greatest gifts of this chapter. It taught me to live fully, trust myself, and stop waiting for the “perfect time” that doesn’t exist.

These past nine months have flown by. Though I knew things would be different, I embraced the change and where I was at this point in my life. I made unbelievable memories and I can’t wait to one day show my daughter pictures of these adventures and tell her “you were there too.”

So book the trip and let yourself feel joy. You might just end up seeing the world with your little one already along for the ride — in the sweetest way.

Xx Gab