Travelling while pregnant and what happens if your baby is born abroad
Lia's Wings supported Bethany and Jan (pictured above) when their daughter, Molly, was born 16 weeks early while they were on a family holiday in Cyprus.
Planning a holiday or ‘babymoon’ while pregnant can feel incredibly special. It’s often one of the last chances to slow down, reconnect, and enjoy time together before your baby arrives. Most trips during pregnancy go exactly as planned. But because pregnancy adds an extra layer of vulnerability, it’s worth knowing how travel insurance works and where to turn if the unexpected happens.
Flying while pregnant
Most people with an uncomplicated pregnancy can fly safely, but it’s important to plan and talk to your midwife or doctor before booking or boarding a flight. Occasional air travel isn’t harmful to you or your baby in an uncomplicated pregnancy. There’s no evidence that flying increases the risk of miscarriage, early labour, or waters breaking. Discuss any health issues or pregnancy complications with your midwife or doctor before you fly, and refer to the NHS and The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists for any medical advice.
When is the safest time to fly?
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Travelling in the early and final months of pregnancy can be tiring and uncomfortable. So, many women find the best time to travel or take a holiday is in mid-pregnancy, between 4 and 6 months.
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After about 37 weeks of pregnancy (or 32 weeks for twins), the chance of going into labour increases, and many airlines will refuse travel after these points. Some airlines will allow you to fly up to around 28–36 weeks, but policies vary widely. This can also differ from your travel insurer's policy, so please check the specific policy of your airline and travel insurer before booking.
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After around 28 weeks, many carriers ask for a letter from your doctor or midwife confirming your due date and that your pregnancy is uncomplicated. These are often called 'fit to fly' notes or certificates.
Why pregnancy can affect travel insurance
Pregnancy isn’t an illness, but insurers recognise that extra care might be needed while travelling. That’s why many policies include specific pregnancy-related terms, which can depend on:
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How many weeks pregnant you are
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Whether your pregnancy has been straightforward
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If you have received any extra treatment or care during your pregnancy
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Any medical advice you’ve received about travel
What travel insurance may not cover
It’s easy to assume your policy covers everything, but pregnancy and newborn care are often treated differently. Some standard policies offer limited or no cover for:
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Pregnancy complications
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Early labour or premature birth
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Medical care for a baby born during your trip
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Extended hospital stays abroad
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Repatriation back to the UK
When purchasing travel insurance, always read the small print and don’t assume you’re covered for these essential areas noted above. Get in touch with insurers, ask questions and push for clear answers if anything is unclear in their policies.
If you have already purchased travel insurance, review your policy before travel and understand what would be covered if the unexpected happened. If you feel your cover isn’t enough, ask about additional options. Checking these details early can help you travel feeling relaxed and reassured that if anything does happen whilst you're on holiday, you're covered.
If a baby is born early abroad
In rare situations, babies are born earlier than expected while families are overseas.
Hospitals abroad can often provide neonatal care, but the experience may feel unfamiliar compared to the NHS. Parents may need to spend weeks or even months in hospital while their baby receives the care and monitoring they need. This can be an emotional and exhausting time, especially when you are far from home.
When this happens, plans naturally change. Coming home is not usually as simple as booking a flight. Repatriation can only happen once your baby is well enough to travel and has the necessary emergency travel documents. It may also involve specialist medical teams and careful planning along the way.
Every family’s situation is different. What matters most is your baby’s health and safety, and having calm, trusted support around you can make an overwhelming experience feel a little more manageable.
How Lia’s Wings can help
Lia’s Wings is the only UK charity dedicated to supporting families overseas when a baby is born prematurely or a child becomes critically ill.
We’re here to help parents by:
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Explaining what’s happening in clear, compassionate language
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Offering calm guidance and reassurance during an overwhelming time
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Supporting you through practical next steps, such as getting emergency travel documents
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Providing translation services for key medical documents
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Advocating on your behalf with your travel insurer to ensure you get home as soon as possible
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Helping navigate the journey home when the time is right
You don’t have to face the unexpected by yourself.
A checklist before you travel
Purchasing travel insurance
☑ Appropriate policies do exist, but you must do thorough research
☑ Read the small print — don’t assume you’re covered
☑ Ask questions and push for clear answers if anything is unclear
☑ Disclose your pregnancy voluntarily. Insurers can’t legally ask, but it’s important to make sure you’re covered for every eventuality
Checking current travel insurance policies
☑ Review your policy before travel and understand what would be covered if the unexpected happened
☑ If you feel your cover isn’t enough, ask about additional options
☑ If your circumstances change between buying insurance and travelling, including becoming pregnant, make sure your policy reflects this
Before you set off
☑ Speak to your midwife/GP about your travel plans and get a fit to fly certificate, if needed.
☑ Check local healthcare services at your destination in case urgent care is needed.
☑ Take your EHIC or UK GHIC card with you so that you can access urgent medical care in European Economic Area (EEA) countries. See more information below.
☑ Bring your maternity medical records or have them on the Badger Notes app so doctors have all the details they need. Take screenshots if you may struggle to have a mobile signal.
☑ Take note of Lia’s Wings contact details just in case you give birth abroad. From the moment you call us, we will provide immediate emotional and practical support, and can help you navigate a way home.
Lia's Wings contact information
If you need advice, guidance, or support, don’t hesitate to contact our team:
Phone: 0300 140 9980
Email hello@lias-wings.org.uk.
UK GHIC/EHIC Card for medical care abroad
If you’re travelling to Europe, having a UK Global Health Insurance Card (UK GHIC), or a still-valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), can help with accessing state-provided healthcare in European Economic Area (EEA) countries.
What are UK GHIC and EHIC?
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Both cards let you get necessary state healthcare in many European countries on the same basis as local residents.
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The UK GHIC has replaced the UK-issued EHIC for most people, but you can continue to use an existing EHIC until it expires.
What they cover
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They can cover necessary healthcare that cannot wait until you return home, including emergency treatment care while abroad.
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Some routine maternity care may be included, but these cards don’t replace travel insurance — they don’t cover repatriation, private treatment, or other non-state services.
Special notes about pregnancy and birth abroad
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If you give birth unexpectedly abroad, an EHIC or GHIC may help cover medical treatment linked to that birth in many EEA countries.
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These cards are not a substitute for comprehensive travel insurance, which should still be taken out for all trips if you are pregnant.
How to get one
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You can apply for a free GHIC online through the NHS website.
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Ensure each traveller, including children, has their own card.
Lia’s Wings is here if you need us
Even with the right travel insurance, unexpected challenges can arise. Lia’s Wings is here to support families whose child is facing a medical crisis abroad. We’ll be with you every step of the way to help bring them home.
If you need advice, guidance, or support, don’t hesitate to contact our team on 0300 140 9980 or email hello@lias-wings.org.uk.
