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Medical treatment in case you're unwell while abroad
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Emergency repatriation back to the UK if you can't travel by your pre-booked transport
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Holiday and flight cancellations if you've been advised by your doctor not to travel, although this varies between providers
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Your luggage and money in case they are lost, stolen or damaged during your stay
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Travel expenses like food and alternative accommodation if there are travel delays
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Expenses associated with extending your trip in case you give birth while you're abroad
What does travel insurance cover?
Expert quote
"If you're pregnant, getting a travel insurance policy shouldn't be any harder than it was before you were expecting. It also shouldn't impact the cost of your policy, since insurers don't usually consider it to be a medical condition. But, some insurers may impose their own limits and restrictions. You might find that some won't cover you after 28 weeks. Others might offer cover for longer, although it's unlikely that you'll find cover if you're close to full term. It's worth checking policy details before you buy to make sure you're covered for your trip."
What do I need to do before I travel when pregnant?
Here are some useful tips to help ensure you're covered while travelling:
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Check that your doctor or midwife is happy for you to travel. They may advise against it if you're suffering from certain complications or conditions that could be worsened by flying or longer periods of travel.
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Check the airline's guidelines. Most airlines won't let you fly towards the end of your pregnancy. Additionally, if your trip involves air travel for 4 hours or more, there's a slightly increased risk of blood clots, known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). When flying, the NHS recommends drinking plenty of water and moving around every 30 minutes or so to help reduce the risk of DVT.
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Check with your cruise operator that you're okay to travel. Most won't allow you to sail once you reach 24 weeks.
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Check the policy details before you buy as cover levels and exclusions relating to pregnancy can vary between insurers.
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Take a copy of your travel insurance policy with you, including any emergency contact information. If you have an EHIC or GHIC, you should also carry this with you.
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Check for any vaccinations or anti-malaria medication you might need. Non-live (inactivated) vaccines are safe to use in pregnancy, but the NHS doesn't recommend vaccines that use live bacteria or viruses. This is because of concerns that they could harm the baby in the womb. But, if you need to travel somewhere requiring a live vaccination, the NHS recommends getting the jabs if the risk of infection outweighs the risk of live vaccination. There are certain anti-malaria medications that are also unsafe during pregnancy. Your GP or midwife will be able to give you advice on which are okay to use.
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Avoid locations that are high-risk for Zika virus. It can be especially harmful to pregnant women and their babies. The NHS recommends avoiding countries that are at risk. If you're unsure whether your travel destination has a risk of Zika virus, you can check the Travel Health Pro website.
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Keep a copy of your medical notes with you in case you need treatment while you're away. This includes maternity notes and information about any medication you're taking. If your GP has given you a fit-to-fly letter, you should also bring this.
What are the different types of travel insurance?
Travel insurance guides
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Our service is free and compares a wide range of trusted household names. Confused.com is an intermediary and receives commission from theidol.com if you decide to buy through our website which is based on a percentage of the total annual premium. We pride ourselves on impartiality and independence – therefore we don't promote any one insurance provider over another.
Our service is free and compares a wide range of trusted household names. Confused.com is an intermediary and receives commission from theidol.com if you decide to buy through our website which is based on a percentage of the total annual premium. We pride ourselves on impartiality and independence – therefore we don't promote any one insurance provider over another.