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  1. Home
  2. Advice for pregnant travellers

Advice for pregnant travellers

Last Updated
Wednesday, 19/05/2021
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If you're pregnant and planning to travel overseas, research your destination before you go. Consult your doctor and understand potential risks to you and your unborn child.



Being informed about the risks will help you manage them. It will increase your chance of having a great time overseas. Explore this page to learn about:

  • planning for travel during pregnancy
  • medications and pregnancy
  • terminating a pregnancy overseas
  • going overseas to give birth
  • how the Australian Government can help overseas

This page is for Australians who are pregnant, or planning to get pregnant overseas. If you're looking for information about adopting a child or engaging in surrogacy, refer to surrogacy and adoption.

Planning for travel during pregnancy

Travelling when pregnant can be challenging, but there are things you can do to stay safe and comfortable and reduce your risks.

Timing your travel

Visit your doctor or obstetrician at least 8 weeks before you go. Discuss the timing and location of your trip. Check if you're allowed to travel and if they recommend travel.

If they advise against travel, don't go. Find time to travel later, when the risk has passed.

Airlines and cruise lines have specific rules on when you can travel while pregnant. If you're having more than one baby, the rules may differ again. Most airlines won't let you fly beyond 28 weeks of pregnancy.

Ask your airline or cruise line about any rules or restrictions that could affect you while in transit.

Read more about pregnancy and travel (Victorian Government Department of Health and Human Services).

Choosing where to travel when you're pregnant

Consider the risks of going overseas, including the risks to your unborn child.

You and your baby will be more at risk in some countries. Avoid countries with poor sanitation, hygiene and medical facilities. Read the travel advisory for each country you're visiting. Note the health risks.

If the travel advisory says do not travel to that country, then do not travel at this time. You're putting yourself and your unborn child at serious risk.

Things can go wrong quickly when you're pregnant. Check how close you'll be to good medical facilities. Stay within reach of hospitals and doctors.

Read more about pregnancy and travel (Victorian Government Department of Health and Human Services).

See a doctor before you go

See a doctor at least once before you travel. Your doctor will advise what vaccines and medications you can take when you're pregnant.

If you have a high-risk pregnancy, your doctor may advise against travel. If they advise against travel, then don't go. You're putting yourself and your unborn child at serious risk.

Most airlines will ask you to show a letter from your doctor.

Buy travel insurance to cover pregnancy

You need travel insurance.

Ask your travel insurer if your policy covers:

  • pregnancy, and until what stage
  • IVF pregnancy, if applicable
  • pregnancy complications or premature birth while you're away
  • cancellation of your trip due to pregnancy or birth issues

For cover during pregnancy, you may need to pay extra. You may need medical evidence.



You may face limitations to your cover, depending on where you're going. For example, in Saudi Arabia, medical insurance won't cover pregnancy unless you're married.

Read more about travel insurance.

Medications and pregnancy

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

Get the facts, before you go.

  • See if your medication is legal in your destination.
  • Ensure you have enough medication for your trip.
  • Check with a doctor that your medication is suitable for travel.

Refer to the 'Look after your health' section on Advice for women travellers for more information. Also see our advice on travelling with medications.

Terminating pregnancy overseas (abortion)

Abortion and the law

Abortion may be illegal in the country you're visiting.

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before considering an abortion.

If you're arrested or jailed for having an abortion, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you. However, we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Understand our limits. Read the Consular Services Charter.

Safety

Health care standards overseas can vary. If you choose to end your pregnancy, find a proper medical facility to help you.

Choose the safest option, not the cheapest option.

Read more about medical assistance overseas.

Cost

Medical treatment for ending a pregnancy can be costly. As with other medical procedures overseas, get a quote from the hospital first.

Find out if this procedure is covered by your travel insurance. If not, consider the cost of having this procedure overseas versus back in Australia. You may be eligible for subsidised care in Australia through Medicare.

Read more about travel insurance.

Going overseas to give birth

If you choose to give birth overseas, you'll need to check:

  • healthcare costs and travel insurance
  • safety and quality of care
  • your budget to pay for a private hospital, if you aren't covered by the public health system via a partner or a reciprocal agreement
  • any changes to your legal status, marriage and parent rights
  • if you need a special visa as a medical tourist

Citizenship and passports

Overseas

Giving birth overseas doesn't automatically grant your child citizenship of that country. Research local immigration and citizenship laws before you travel.

If authorities think you're planning to give birth there for visa reasons, they may refuse you entry.

In Australia

To register your child's birth with Australian authorities, you'll need to contact your state or territory registry of births, deaths and marriages (Australian Government).

Consular officials can assist with your child's passport.

There may be higher costs for processing a passport for your baby while you're overseas.

Learn more about Australian citizenship by descent (Department of Home Affairs).

Support

Becoming a new parent can feel overwhelming. Consider how you'll find support overseas, both practically and emotionally.

Supplies and services

Prepare ahead for how you'll travel with your new baby. Make sure you have all the medications and supplies you need.

The Australian Government can't help with medical costs or services overseas.

Learn more about medical assistance overseas.

Safety

If our travel advisory for the country in which you plan to give birth says 'do not travel', then don't travel there. You're putting yourself and your unborn child at serious risk.

Learn more about staying safe and avoiding danger.

Consular services and pregnancy

The Australian Government is limited in how and when it can help Australians overseas.

In most cases, when you need help overseas you, or your travel insurer, must organise and pay for it.

Understand our limits. Read the Consular Services Charter.

What we can do

  • We can give you a list of local medical facilities with doctors who speak English.
  • We can give you a list of local lawyers who speak English.
  • We can help you contact your family in Australia in an emergency.
  • We can notify you when we update our travel advice for your destination. Learn more about subscriptions.

What we can't do

  • We can't guarantee your safety when you travel.
  • We can't pay for your bills if you need medical assistance overseas.
  • We can't get you out of jail if you're arrested because you've broken a local law. Be aware laws vary greatly on abortions, medications and sex outside of marriage.
  • We can't give you medical or legal advice.

Final tips before you go

Prepare before you travel:

  • get medical advice, vaccinations and a health check
  • know the laws about pregnancy, adoption, surrogacy and abortion overseas
  • arrange adequate travel insurance and check coverage
  • arrange emotional and practical support

Read more

  • Read our general advice for people travelling with children.
  • See information about international surrogacy.
  • See information about going overseas to adopt.
  • Before you go, get travel insurance that covers your pregnancy.
  • Understand our limits. Read the Consular Services Charter.

See also

  • See more advice on pregnancy and travel (Victorian Department of Health and Human Services).
  • Read more about travelling while pregnant (CHOICE).
  • Learn more about Australian citizenship by descent (Department of Home Affairs).

Related content

Going overseas to adopt a child

Many Australians adopt children from other countries. There are legal implications surrounding overseas adoptions both in Australia and in the child's country.

View details
Going overseas for international surrogacy

Information for Australians going overseas for surrogacy. Learn about types of arrangements, laws, citizenship and visas.

View details
Advice for women travellers

All travellers face risks overseas. In certain countries or cultures, women face greater risks than men and may be more vulnerable.

View details

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Emergency consular assistance

The Australian Government provides 24-hour consular emergency assistance.

+61 2 6261 3305 from overseas

1300 555 135 from within Australia

For how we can help you overseas see the Consular Services Charter.

Enquiries and feedback

For non-urgent enquiries, or to provide feedback on consular services that you've recently received, contact us online.

For information on notarial services, email legalisations.australia@dfat.gov.au

To report a vulnerability you’ve identified on this website or to find out more about the department’s Vulnerability Disclosure Policy visit the DFAT website

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  • Home
  • Before you go
    • The basics
      • Destinations
      • Europe and the Schengen Area
      • Getting a foreign visa
      • Travel insurance
      • CHOICE travel insurance buying guide
    • Who you are
      • Academics
      • Colour, race, ethnicity, or religion
      • Dual nationals
      • Journalists
      • LGBTQIA+
      • Mature and older travellers
      • School leavers
      • Travelling with children
      • Travelling with a disability
      • Travelling with pets
      • Women
    • Activities
      • Adoption
      • Antarctica and the Arctic
      • Backpacking
      • Business
      • Living and working overseas
      • Marriage
      • Retiring overseas
      • Sports and adventure
      • Studying
      • Surrogacy
      • Volunteering
    • Major events
      • Cultural events
        • Travel overseas for Anzac Day
      • Religious events
        • Travel overseas for Ramadan
        • Travel overseas for Hajj
      • Sporting events
        • Rugby League Las Vegas 2025
    • Health
      • Infectious diseases
      • Going overseas for a medical procedure
      • Medical assistance overseas
      • Medication and medical equipment
      • Mental health
      • Organ transplant tourism
      • Pregnancy
      • Reciprocal health care agreements
      • What happens if you die overseas
    • Staying safe
      • Armed conflict
      • Assault
      • Cyber security
      • Earthquakes and tsunamis
      • Kidnapping
      • Natural disasters
      • Partying safely
      • Piracy
      • Protests and civil unrest
      • Scams
      • Severe weather
      • Sexual assault
      • Terrorism
      • Theft and robbery
    • Laws
      • Carrying or using drugs
      • Child sex offences
      • Female genital mutilation
      • Forced marriage
    • Getting around
      • Air travel
      • Boat travel
      • Cruising
      • Public transport
      • Road safety
  • Destinations
    • View all destinations
    • Africa
    • Americas
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    • Europe
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  • While you're away
    • When things go wrong
      • Arrested or jailed
      • Lost property
      • Medical assistance
      • Money problems
      • Someone is missing
      • Someone died
    • Crime overseas
      • Assaulted
      • Robbed or mugged
      • Sexually assaulted
    • Crisis or emergency
      • Earthquake
      • Severe weather
      • Volcanic eruption
      • Bushfire
      • Nuclear incident
    • Australia's biosecurity and border controls
  • Urgent help
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