Whether you’re flying home for the holidays or hitting the road for a business trip, traveling presents a new set of hurdles when you’re pregnant. TheNestBaby.com offers the following pointers for getting around:

Flying

While most physicians say that flying is safe up to 36 weeks, airlines have varying restrictions for pregnant women, including different policies for domestic and international travel. Some won’t allow you to travel past 35 weeks, and others won’t let you on board if your due date is less than seven days away. Ask the agent when you book your ticket what their restrictions are and consider how close your due date will be when you return.

For some women, there are even more factors to consider. Dr. Ashley Roman, obstetrician and contributor to TheNestBaby.com, recommends that women who are having pregnancy complications or who are considered to be “high risk” shouldn’t travel by air in the later weeks of pregnancy. This includes women with diabetes, sickle cell disease, placental abnormalities, hypertension, or those at risk for premature labor. “If you’re pregnant with multiples, you may want to hold off, too,” she advises. “If a patient is having triplets, I recommend that she not fly after 20 to 24 weeks.”

If you’re still within the above guidelines to fly, make your trip comfortable and safe by wearing loose clothing, not crossing your legs, drinking lots of water to stay hydrated, and walking around the cabin every hour or two to aid circulation (and to lessen the risk of blood clots).

Driving

You know you should always wear your seatbelt, but there are new things to consider when you’re traveling with a bump. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends that pregnant women never place their seatbelt above or directly on their belly (nor behind your back or under your arm). Wear your seatbelt with the shoulder portion over the collarbone between your breasts, and the lap portion under the abdomen as low as possible on the hips and across the upper thighs. You’ll save yourself and your belly from hitting the dashboard in the event of a rear collision.

Some pregnant women worry about airbags opening too close to their body, but the NHTSA stresses that airbags are designed to work in partnership with seatbelts. The NHTSA suggests moving the seat as far back as possible (10 inches from the dashboard or steering wheel) and tilting it back slightly to maximize the distance between your chest and the dashboard or steering wheel. Sit back against the seat with as little slack in the belt as possible to minimize your forward movement in a crash.

As for staying comfortable while you’re on the road, plan for frequent rest stops. They’ll give you the opportunity to get out of the car and walk around, hit the restroom, stay hydrated, and replenish yourself with a snack. Traveling with your pillow and taking turns with another driver will also make your ride more comfortable. When sitting in the passenger seat, keep your feet elevated to avoid swelling and leg cramps.

Cruising

Check with your physician to make sure that a cruise will comply with your pregnancy. If you’re prone to motion sickness, at high risk, or experiencing complications, they may urge you to choose another option.

Additionally, consult with the cruise line about their policies. Royal Caribbean will not allow you to travel on their ships if you enter or will be entering your 27th week before or during the cruise. Celebrity Cruise Lines will not let you travel at the 26th-week mark, and Princess Cruises will not let you travel at 24 weeks.

However, if your doctor and the cruise line all give you the green light to hop on board, do your homework beforehand to ensure a safe and comfortable trip. For starters, make sure there’s a health-care provider on board in case of complications. Many smaller ships (fewer than 100 passengers) don’t have medical personnel on staff. Also, review the route and ports-of-call to identify if the local cuisine and activities will be appropriate for you and whether there’s access to any medical facilities if needed. Lastly, check your health insurance policy to make sure you’ll be covered should you have any complications on board or at any of the ports-of-call.

Final notes

– Pack lightweight clothing that you can layer to accommodate for changes in temperature and climate.

– Bring comfortable, supportive shoes.

– Pack nongreasy snacks and eat frequently to curb on-the-road nausea.

– Fill your prescriptions ahead of time and get a doctor’s note and referral for a physician in the town you’re traveling to in case of emergencies.

For pregnancy and parenting advice, tools, photos, and more, visit TheNestBaby.com.