When I discovered I was pregnant, the mother-to-be in me screamed "Yeah!", while the traveler in me was biting her nails and asking: "Will I have to stop traveling for nine months?". The short answer is 'no'. The long answer is 'no, but you have to consider a few things'. After consulting specialists, reading books and relying on my (ever-growing) gut, here's a short recap of what I've learnt:

From around week six of pregnancy, the morning sickness and extreme tiredness usually settle in. Typically these symptoms last until week 12 (although of course your case may be different). This means that even if there are no medical reasons to avoid traveling in the first trimester, you probably wouldn't want to. During this phase I'd planned a trip to Mauritius, which I cleverly canceled; at the time I was supposed to take a long-haul flight, I was so nauseous that I wanted to stay in bed forever.

Bearing in mind that the risk of miscarriage is greatest in the first trimester and that you will feel weak and sleepy, it's a good idea to postpone all trips for later.

This is when you'll feel the most energetic, so use it to take trips and spend time with your partner before the baby arrives. This is the time to go camping, to visit faraway destinations, and even to enjoy some light hiking. I chose to go to Egypt in my fifth month, although I had to skip part of the fun (no desert safari for you ladies, it's too bumpy!). Beach vacations are also okay, but you have to spend less time in the sun and more under the umbrella (pregnant women are at greater risk of skin pigmentation).

This is when you get heavier and heavier. Again, if you feel good and your doctor hasn't specifically advised against it, you can still remain active and travel — just keep it light and easy.