5 Tips for Less-Stress Vacations During Pregnancy

Are you feeling burned out from the trials and tribulations of pregnancy and your day-to-day routine? Dreaming of flying to exotic locations or jumping in the car for a relaxing adventure? Don't let pregnancy stop you from taking that much needed holiday. Just follow these five tips for a less stressful vacation.

Vacation at the Right Time

One of the first things to consider when planning a vacation is to go at a time that best fits the trimester of your pregnancy.

"Early pregnancy can come along with morning sickness and fatigue," says Melissa Gurry, Inner Powers Healing Coach and Trainer. "In the last few weeks of pregnancy you may not be up to running around." For these reasons, the second trimester seems to work best for most women—but always check with your health care provider first before planning any travel during pregnancy.

Keep your options open when choosing a destination. Regardless of what trimester you will be in while traveling, a low key vacation is probably the best way to go. Amusement parks should be traded in for a less stimulating and more relaxing vacation. A spa or resort destination is a popular choice for pregnant women.

Rebecca Anderson, who traveled twice while pregnant, visited a spa and cautions, "Many resorts/spas will often say they offer 'maternity massages,' but check them out beforehand. Your doctor as well as many pregnancy books will delineate what should and should not be done." This Woodstock, Georgia, mom continues, "A true pregnancy massage differs greatly from the traditional massage resorts offer. A massage that is done correctly will relieve all the aches, pains, and tension you have due to pregnancy."

Another travel option that many women should consider is a business trip—whether it is your own or your spouse's, these trips can be an excellent opportunity for family time.

Gurry took advantage of this opportunity and traveled with her husband on his business trips while pregnant. "My two-year-old and I would travel to Boston along with him. We enjoyed visiting the aquarium and science center, and [went] shopping," she says. "At the end of the day we would meet for dinner and discuss what we learned. If time allowed we would extend the trip a day so that the family could enjoy some time together before returning home. Today my son is seven and still asks if we can visit Boston."