7 Dos and Don'ts for Pregnant Commuters

Eating Breakfast

DON'T: Skip breakfast before you leave for work.
DO: Grab at least a quick bite to eat.
Passing on breakfast is dangerous, warns Bellinson. "Morning starvation is bad for Mother and Baby," she says. "Not eating enough can make you dizzy and weak."

If you're running to catch a bus or train (or even sitting in a car), you need food to keep you going and alert. Bellinson recommends a balanced breakfast with a glass of milk, toast, and fruit. If you can't sit for a meal, opt instead for quick, healthy snacks such as a granola bar or fruit. Once you get to the office, make sure to eat something more.

Drinking Water

DON'T: Drink too much water or other liquids before your commute.
DO: Drink a small glass of milk, juice, or water before you leave and drink up once you get to the office.
Your pregnant body needs plenty of fluids, yet you don't want to be on a long commute with a full bladder and no restroom. "Not only is a full bladder uncomfortable," says Bellinson, "but it can lead to bladder infections, which can then lead to kidney infections."

Instead of drinking a full glass of water at the beginning of the day, Bellinson advises commuters to drink a small amount before work and to bring a water bottle. Before you get to the office, start drinking (when you know a bathroom is nearby). When you get to work, keep drinking.

Managing Nausea

DON'T: Ignore nausea symptoms.
DO: Stash snacks in your pockets.
You may experience moderate to severe nausea at the beginning of your pregnancy—and a commute certainly doesn't help. Some pregnant women avoid eating hoping to escape an upset stomach. That's a mistake, says Bellinson. Instead, she suggests keeping your symptoms in check with nuts such as almonds or cashews, whose essential oils help reduce nausea. If nuts don't appeal to you, try other pregnancy staples such as saltines or graham crackers. Keeping something in your stomach, says Bellinson, is more soothing than traveling on empty.