International travel during pregnancy: a review of current literature and guidelines

International travel among pregnant women has become increasingly common, prompting clinicians to seek evidence-based guidance of travel safety and precautions during pregnancy. This article provides a comprehensive summary of current literature and guidelines on international travel for pregnant women, addressing key concerns such as prevention of venous thromboembolism, advisability of travel vaccinations, and zoonotic diseases including malaria, Zika virus, yellow fever, rabies, and Japanese encephalitis. Additionally, this article covers food and water safety, focussing on pathogens responsible for travellers’ diarrhoea, typhoid fever, and hepatitis A, and offers guidance on managing environmental factors of travel such as extremes of temperature, high-altitude travel, and air quality. Practical advice for pregnant travellers, including travel insurance and documentation should always be considered. This article aims to equip clinicians with the necessary knowledge to support women in making informed, evidence-based, and safe travel decisions during pregnancy.