Pregnancy is all about excitement, anticipation, and yes, discomfort, sometimes. During travel, motion sickness is an unwelcome companion for many expectant mothers. Road trip, flight to visit family, or well-deserved vacation — getting around while pregnant can be difficult for a number of reasons, especially if you suffer from motion sickness. But don’t fret — there are safe and common-sense ways to make travel less painful and more pleasant.
Why Does Motion Sickness Worsen During Pregnancy?
Motion sickness, also known as travel sickness, is caused when your inner ear, eyes, and body send different messages to your brain. Hormonal changes and physical shifts during pregnancy can make this condition worsen.
-
Hormonal changes: Estrogen levels increase during pregnancy and affect the inner ear, which is important for balance. This would mean that pregnant women are more responsive to motion stimuli.
-
Physical Changes: The growing uterus can push down on surrounding organs, including the stomach, making nausea worse when you move.
If you used to have motion sickness before pregnancy, you will likely experience more motion sickness while pregnant.
Signs of Motion Sickness During Pregnancy
The symptoms of motion sickness are the same for all, but might feel more intense during pregnancy. These include:
-
Nausea and Vomiting: The initial symptoms can range from mild queasiness to severe vomiting.
-
Dizziness: The sensation of feeling lightheaded or drained because of changes to both balance systems found in the inner ear.
-
Motion-induced sweating and pallor: Sweating and pale are natural responses to motion sickness.
Why Is Movement Cancelled Out in Pregnancy Motion Sickness?
Motion sickness in pregnancy is caused by basically the same things that cause it in everyone else: it happens when there’s a disconnect between what your body senses and what your eyes perceive. But pregnant women have several other considerations that can aggravate the condition:
-
Hormonal changes: Higher levels of hormones, such as progesterone, can relax the muscles in your stomach and digestive tract, increasing the chances of nausea.
-
Increased Sensitivity: Pregnancy intensifies your senses, especially smell and taste, meaning that car, train or airplane odors may be even more intolerable, leading to nausea.
-
Changes in Inner Ear: The inner ear, which helps you manage balance, may become more sensitive with pregnancy, which can make it more difficult to acclimate to movement.
Tips for Traveling with Motion Sickness While Pregnant
Now that we understand why it happens, let’s discuss what you can do to prevent it or manage it. But here is a list of safe and easy tips to help you keep your travels more comfortable.
1. Choose the Right Mode of Transport
-
Cars: If you have to travel in a car, make sure you sit in the front seat, as the movement is less noticeable there. Do not read or use your phone, which can aggravate nausea. If you can, crack the windows for fresh air.
-
Trains: Trains are also a good mode of travel, as their movement is generally smooth and predictable. Face forward to minimize dizziness.
-
Planes: If flying, choose a seat toward the wings, where the plane’s movement is less marked. Leave the window shades open to aid the body's acclimatization.
2. Eat Light and Often
When you’re pregnant, nausea can hit suddenly, and hunger or being too full can exacerbate it. Eat small, frequent meals instead. Steer clear of heavy, greasy or spicy foods that can induce nausea. Instead, eat crackers, fruit, or ginger-based snacks — they all help calm the stomach.
3. Stay Hydrated
When you’re pregnant, nausea can hit suddenly, and hunger or being too full can exacerbate it. Eat small, frequent meals instead. Steer clear of heavy, greasy or spicy foods that can induce nausea. Instead, eat crackers, fruit, or ginger-based snacks — they all help calm the stomach.
4. Take Frequent Breaks
If traveling by car or on a long trip, make sure to take breaks often. Get up, walk around a bit, and get some fresh air. It will prevent your body from getting too cramped, and it can help with your dizziness.
5. Use Natural Remedies
-
Ginger: A natural remedy for nausea. Ginger tea, ginger candies, fresh ginger slices — adding this to your travel routine tends to stave off motion sickness.
-
Peppermint: Peppermint oil is also a natural remedy that may help with nausea. A few drops on a piece of cotton or a peppermint tea do wonders.
6. Consider Acupressure Bands
Acupressure wristbands, such as the Sea-Band, are intended to provide gentle pressure to specific points on the wrist to ease nausea. These bands are also very helpful in treating motion sickness symptoms in many pregnant women.
7. Talk to Your Doctor
If motion sickness is severe or nothing works, don’t hesitate to consult your doctor. Some over-the-counter medicines can be safely taken during pregnancy, but always check with your healthcare provider before taking any medicines.
What to Avoid While Traveling
Some remedies are able to calm motion sickness, but there are things which can make it worse. Steering clear of these triggers will help ensure a smooth trip.
-
Strong Smells: Strong perfumes, cooking and even air fresheners can cause nausea. Sit next to an open window or vent for fresh air.
-
READING OR LOOKING AT SCREENS: Focus on the horizon instead of staring at books, phones or tablets. This will keep your eyes and inner ear in sync.
-
High-Calorie Meals: Big, rich meals are more difficult for your stomach to process under normal circumstances, but when you’re on the road, limit yourself to lighter, easy-to-digest snacks.
Pregnant Women's Travel Tips for Other Aspects
Pregnancy can pose other travel challenges aside from motion sickness. Here are some extra tips for ensuring your trip is as comfortable as possible:
-
Dress for Comfort: Wearing loose, comfortable clothing when traveling while pregnant is ideal. If you lean forward to sit or hunch forward, tight clothes can also be an enormous inconvenience.
-
Plan Rest Stops: No matter how you’re getting there - car, train, plane — plan to take regular rest breaks. Which means to stretch your legs, visit the bathroom and hydrate.
-
Pack Smart: Be sure to take along all the essentials: snacks, water, any medication you might need, and a pillow or blanket if you want added comfort. It is less stressful to keep your items nearby when traveling.
When to Avoid Travel?
Looks like it may be time to postpone your travel plans. If you’re having really bad morning sickness or anything else problematic during your pregnancy, it may be worth considering putting your trip off. If you are in doubt, always check with your doctor.
What About Medications?
Many expectant moms choose natural remedies, but some women might require medication for extreme motion sickness. Safety depends on the specific medication: Options such as antihistamines (e.g., dimenhydrinate) may be safe under medical direction. However, use should be avoided or limited during the first trimester when fetal development is particularly vulnerable. Always check with your health care provider before taking any medication.
Conclusion: Plenty of Pregnant Travel Comfort
So, something like motion sickness when you’re pregnant doesn’t have to ruin your plans. The first part is having an idea of what it is. Taking proactive approaches (choosing stable means of transport, hydration, and natural remedies) can help make traveling more pleasant in general.
Note that each pregnancy will be different. What works for one woman may not work for another. Listen to your body, and anticipate what you may need, consulting your healthcare provider if necessary. Now with these strategies implemented, you’ll be better prepared to pay attention to what matters—enjoying this wonderful time in your life!
FAQs on motion sickness during pregnancy
Here are some common questions — and answers — about traveling when pregnant:
1). Can I use motion sickness medicine during pregnancy?
Yes, but only with supervision from a doctor. Certain medications, such as antihistamines (e.g., dimenhydrinate), are likely safe to take during pregnancy but should be used carefully, particularly in the first trimester. Always talk with your doctor before taking medication.
2). Having motion sickness, will that be safe for flying during pregnancy?
In general, unless your doctor says you shouldn’t fly, it’s safe to fly while pregnant. To avoid motion sickness, sit close to the wings (the plane’s most stable area), and drink plenty of water during the flight.
3). Do natural cures work for motion sickness?
There are several natural remedies that can help alleviate travel-related nausea. Ginger (in tea or candy form) and acupressure wristbands are a couple of the most popular options among pregnant women, since they’re non-invasive and safe.
4). Travel seasons during pregnancy: What is the best time to travel?
The second trimester (weeks 14–28) is often the best time to travel since morning sickness usually has passed by then, and you’re less prone to fatigue or discomfort that may accompany later pregnancy.
5). Is it bad for the baby when I experience motion sickness?
Motion sickness alone won’t hurt your baby, but taking a pounding on symptoms like vomiting until you’re dehydrated could be examined quickly, as it has the potential to affect overall maternal health.
