The 14 Things You Need for Comfortable Pregnant Travel

Travel can be arduous for anyone, but it’s doubly so for pregnant ladies. Think: tight seatbelts, bumpy roads, and seats that don’t recline. A portable yet productive pillow like hiccapop’s Pregnancy Pillow can solve all sorts of travel woes. It can be used as a back rest, inserted between the knees, or wedged beneath the belly. Even better, one side of the pillow is made of squishy, forgiving memory foam, while the other side offers firmer support. So, basically, the hiccapop is, like, 15 pillows in one and much easier to tote around than a full-size body pillow. Amazon reviewers swear that this pillow cured their pregnancy insomnia. 

We've got good news and bad news. The bad news: You may need to buy several bra sizes over the course of your pregnancy to cover your girls’ growth, so your outlay might be a little pricey. The good news, though, is that you’ll be able to wear the bras after baby is born, as your breasts shrink down from their pregnancy-induced magnitude. The Bravado Designs Body Silk Wire-Free Nursing Bra provides both support and shaping (inserts are removable, though, if that’s not your jam).

As for undies, Motherhood’s Maternity Fold Over Panties offers cool comfort in charming styles. The band can be stretched over your tummy or pushed beneath, and it expands as you do. They come in simple neutrals or pretty patterns. The band can be stretched over your tummy or pushed beneath, and it expands as you do. They come in simple neutrals or pretty patterns. 

Doctors generally recommend pregnant folks drink 10 eight-ounce glasses of water a day. A dried out you is a cranky you, for sure, and a cranky you . . . well, you probably see where we’re going with this. Pregnant women work hard—after all, they’re doing everything for two. Water helps keep the body’s processes flowing smoothly, and can cut down on the dreaded swelling.  The Brita Premium Filtering Water Bottle turns any tap water into delicious, safe refreshment, thanks to a mini-version of the Brita filter you probably already have inside your house. Drink up!

Generally speaking, ginger acts as anti-inflammatory, with the power to quell nausea and settle an upset tummy (hence the recommendation to drink ginger ale when you’re sick). Taking a ginger tablet like Nature's Bounty Ginger Root Pills can help with dizziness, motion sickness, and morning sickness. These pills are free of preservatives, additives, artificial flavors, sugar, gluten, and pretty much all the other gunky stuff you can think of, making them an excellent choice for any pregnant person into clean living. Of course, the big caveat is that you should check with your OB/GYN before taking any kind of herbal supplement.

Maternity leggings come in two basic styles: over the bump, or under the bump. Which you prefer depends on you (and your bump), of course, but, in my experience, more coverage feels more comfortable as baby grows from jelly bean to basketball. Not only are Zella’s Live In Maternity Ankle Leggings super-soft, but they’re made from a quick drying material that keeps you cool no matter how interminable your journey.  

Ah, the hot water bottle: so warm and comforting to use, so ugly and unappealing to look at. The Premium Classic Rubber Hot Water Bottle w/Cute Knit Cover comes with an adorable owl cover, so you won’t mind asking the flight attendant or train conductor to fill yours up. The cover does double duty in that it also makes sure you don’t get burned from the bottle, made from super-heat-retentive natural rubber. You can lay it on a sore spot to ease tension, drape it over your forehead to whisk away headaches, or cradle it against your tummy for extra comfort. So soothing!  

Growing another human is hard work (trust us), so you’ll want to be extra kind to your feet. After all, they’ll bear the weight of you plus baby. TOMS earns points for its visionary One for One program, whereby a pair of shoes to a child in need gets donated for every pair purchased. Its Classics are easy to slide on and off (très important as your bump gets bigger), come in tons of colors, and are flexible enough to wear even on your swollen-est days. And, they're pretty cute! 

One sniff or dose of an essential oil can turn your whole trip around, giving you a boost of energy, a moment of calm...a much-needed escape from your seat mate’s particularly pungent sandwich. But not all essential oils are equal, and not all are safe for pregnant folks. Made from the lavender plant, Vitruvi Organic Lavender Oil soothes anxious, frayed nerves, smooths furrowed brows, and acts as a nontoxic soporific for the pregnant and non-pregnant alike. Pro tip: add a few drops to a hot bath when you reach your destination. 

My pregnancy cravings largely fell into two buckets: cheeseburgers and anything spicy-with-a-capital-S-followed-by-50-exclamation points. Both buckets required tons of Tums. So much so that I kept a pack in my desk at work, a roll in my bag, and a jumbo container near my bed. Along with their antacid properties, TUMS provide an extra dose of calcium. Of course, a nasty or persistent dose of heartburn might necessitate a call to your doctor to rule out any other issues.

As any pregnant person will tell you, sometimes only a Twix or an extra-spicy bowl of chili will do. I’m 100 percent speaking from experience here. However, you know your body best, so pack whatever you’re craving hardest that week—or do some research ahead of time so you’ll be able to eat what you want /need while traveling. That said, the nutty mélange of Archer Farm’s Omega-3 Trail Mix can satisfy your sweet and salty cravings while ensuring that you and baby get some protein, some fruit, and some extra Omega-3 fatty acids. During pregnancy, Omega-3s are all the more important, as they help form the brain and eyes of a fetus. In other words, with every handful of this trail mix, you’re essentially creating a smarter child. 

Depending on your travel plans, you might wish to invest in travel insurance. Remember to read the fine print to make sure you’re covered, as some companies consider pregnancy a “pre-existing condition.” Any policy worth its paperwork—like those offered by Visitors Coverage—will provide you with 24/7 assistance and cover you for major crises, such as an emergency evacuation or hospital stay.

The fact is that stretch marks are, to some extent, hereditary, much like your eye color or predilection for rom-coms. However, you can prevent lines from sticking around post-birth by staying hydrated, exfoliating, and applying Mustela’s Stretch Marks Prevention Cream as needed. It’s fast-absorbing, so you won’t feel or look greasy, and it’s mild enough to use multiple times a day. As a bonus, you’ll smell nice, no small gift after traveling. There are tons of lotions on the market, sure, but this one offers the best anti-stretch mark saturation for the buck.

Since its publication more than 25 years ago, What to Expect When You’re Expecting has been the trusty sidekick of millions of American parents. There are plenty of books out there about pregnancy and parenthood—believe me, I’ve read approximately half—but this one is like an older sister, wise doula, and no-nonsense doctor all in one. If you’ve got a question, this book has absolutely got an answer. No question is too silly or too random, and no answer will ever make you feel ashamed for having had to ask in the first place. Pregnancy knowledge is pregnancy power!

Pretty much every brand of compression socks utilizes some version of the same tagline: “there’s nothing swell about swelling.” Punny but true. Blood clots are a dangerous concern for any traveler, especially on a long flight; they’re doubly dangerous for, and much more common in, pregnant women. In fact, prolonged periods of sitting and not moving can lead to blood clots, so definitely consider donning a pair before your next road trip or flight. Dr. Motion’s Women’s Mild Compression Floral Dropout Knee High Socks gently, yet persistently squeeze you in all the right places. Kind of like a massage for your calves. And the fun, floral pattern on these make them kicky enough to be worn with shorts or skirts—these definitely aren’t your grandma’s compression socks.