Comfortable clothes for travelling while pregnant: what to wear for the journey and what to pack

When you travel while pregnant, what you notice most usually isn't the destination but the hours getting there: the waistband that starts to dig in, the feet that don't fit your shoes quite the same, the air conditioning on the plane. Here's what comfortable clothes to take when travelling while pregnant, what to wear on the day, what to pack and what to talk through with your midwife before you go.

These are general pointers. What your body asks for on the day counts for more than any list.

Before you book, talk to your midwife

Clothes come second. Before you book a flight or a long trip, mention it to your midwife or doctor, especially if you've had any complications. Many women find the second trimester the easiest time to travel: the early sickness has usually passed and you can still move about freely.

If you're flying, look up your airline's policy before you buy the ticket, because it varies from one to another. From week 28 many ask for a letter from your midwife or doctor giving your due date and confirming the pregnancy is going well, and most won't let you fly from week 37, or week 32 if you're expecting twins. Think about the way home: the date that counts is your last flight, not your first.

There are two more pieces of paperwork worth sorting out. One is travel insurance that covers pregnancy, an early birth and care for the baby if it's born while you're away; read the small print, because not every policy includes it. The other is your pregnancy notes, the record from your check-ups, which go in your hand luggage, not the hold. If you live in the UK and you're travelling in Europe, take your GHIC or EHIC as well; if you live elsewhere in Europe, your European Health Insurance Card. They cover state healthcare you need during the trip, pregnancy care included, but they don't replace insurance.

On the day: layers, and nothing tight

Travel clothes have to cope with hours of sitting and several changes of temperature: the street, the airport, the plane, wherever you land. In Spain there's a phrase for it, dressing like an onion: layers you can take off and put back on without getting changed.

The base. A loose T-shirt or blouse in a natural fibre. Cotton and linen let your skin breathe better than synthetics, and in pregnancy, when you sweat more, you'll be glad of it a few hours in.

The top layer. A fine jumper or an open cardigan, one you don't have to pull over your head in a narrow seat. And a large scarf or wrap, which works as a blanket on the plane, a pillow against the window and an extra layer when you get off.

The waist. This is where a poor choice shows most. A dress that falls from under the bust, or maternity trousers with a wide band over the bump, are far better than jeans with a button, which dig in after three hours in a seat. No belts.

Your feet. It's normal for them to swell on long journeys. Choose shoes you can slip on without bending down and without laces, with a little room to spare, and socks whose elastic doesn't leave a mark round your ankle.

For more ideas on dressing comfortably day to day, see how to dress comfortably in pregnancy.

By plane, car or train

By plane. Ask for an aisle seat, so you can get up without disturbing anyone. The usual advice is to walk a little every half hour and, while you're sitting, to circle your ankles and wiggle your toes. Drink water often and go easy on coffee. Wear the seatbelt with the strap below your bump, across your hips.

Do you really need compression stockings? Pregnancy already raises the risk of blood clots, and a flight of more than four hours raises it a little further, so for those flights properly fitted graduated compression stockings are advised. They're not the flight socks sold at the airport: ask your midwife or a pharmacist to help with the size. If during the trip or the days after it you notice a swollen, painful leg, or you're short of breath, get medical help straight away.

By car. Always wear the seatbelt, with the lap strap below your bump, resting on your hips, and the diagonal strap between your breasts, never across the bump. Stop every hour or two to get out and walk a little, and share the driving if you can.

By train or coach. You have the advantage of being able to get up whenever you like. Make the most of it: a stroll down the aisle now and then does your legs good.

What to pack

Less than you think. With clothes that go together, a small case will do for a week, and carrying less weight while pregnant is a way of looking after yourself.

• Two or three bottoms with a soft waist: maternity trousers, leggings, a long skirt with an elasticated waist.
• Three or four loose T-shirts or blouses, in colours that go with everything.
• A dress you can wear to walk around in by day and to go out for dinner in the evening.
• A fine jumper or a cardigan, and a jacket to suit where you're going.
• A comfortable bra (many women prefer non-wired ones in these months) and plenty of spare underwear.
• Two pairs of comfortable shoes you've already worn in. A holiday is no time for new shoes.
• A loose nightdress or pyjamas.
• A maternity swimsuit, if there's a beach or a pool.

Depending on where you're going

Somewhere hot: linen and cotton, loose cuts and light colours. In pregnancy your skin is more sensitive to the sun, and many women get patches on the face that darken with sun exposure, so a wide-brimmed hat and sun cream go in the case, no question. Find shade in the middle of the day and always keep water to hand.

Somewhere cold: a thin wool layer next to the skin keeps you warm without bulk, with the usual on top: a jumper and a coat. If your coat no longer closes over the bump, a poncho or a wool cape solves it without buying another. Wool socks, but without tight elastic.

A city break: shoes matter most. Have places to sit down in mind, and don't try to see in one day what you'd normally do in two.

If the trip is to see family at Christmas, there are ideas for those days in Christmas while expecting.

Your hand luggage

This is what you want close by on the journey, not in the boot or the hold:

• Your pregnancy notes, insurance, health card and the airline letter, if you need one.
• A reusable bottle, which you can fill after security.
• Something to snack on: fruit, nuts, a few savoury biscuits. Many people find ginger settles the stomach, and ginger biscuits or sweets take up no room at all.
• The large scarf or wrap.
• A small cushion for your lower back.
• Your compression stockings, if you're wearing them, and a spare pair of socks.
• A small wash bag with hand cream and lip balm, because the air on planes is very drying.

Travel light and keep it loose. That's how a journey goes best.

If you're after one piece that works for the plane, for walking around and for dinner out, our organic cotton dress is made for pregnancy and for afterwards.