If you don't want to limit yourself when it comes to traveling during your pregnancy, there are some things you should know about the health hazards in tropical climates. 

If you are taking a trip to an undeveloped country in the Far East, Africa or South America, you should beware of malaria and Hepatitis E.  Although there are many vaccines these days to prevent you from getting diseases such as Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A and even the Flu, unfortunately malaria and Hepatitis E remain two illnesses that you can't be protected against through a vaccine.  You should try and avoid going to places where there is any risk for either illness, as they are both unpleasant and very dangerous for pregnant women. If you must go, here is some information on how to protect yourself.

Hepatitis E (HEV)

Hepatitis E (HEV) can be especially dangerous for pregnant women, particularly during the third trimester. The fatality rate is 17%–33%, in pregnant women. Hepatitis E is extremely rare in developed countries, but not so in undeveloped countries – especially South Asia and North Africa.
Protection - The origin of the virus is in unclean food and water.  Only drink bottled or sterilized water, avoid any fresh fruit and vegetable and make sure all the food you eat is thoroughly cooked and steaming hot.

Malaria during Pregnancy

Malaria in pregnancy is very dangerous for both mother and child. There are several preventive approaches you can follow, but even taking medication to prevent malaria isn't full proof.  Since malaria is transmitted by mosquitoes which are active after the sun sets, the first way would be avoiding bites:
Try to keep indoors between dusk and dawn.
Wear light-colored clothing which covers as much of you as possible.
Stay in a house with air-conditioning and netting.
Sleep with the protection of a mosquito net.
Use insect repellents containing DEET as needed.  If you are breastfeeding, make sure you wash your hands and breast from the repellent before each feeding.  

The second way to protect your self is preventive medication.  Before you go to a place where you are in danger of being infected, you must start taking pills for the prevention of malaria.
The symptoms for malaria are very similar to those of the flu – headache, fever, vomiting and nausea, among other signs. If any signs of malaria appear – you must seek medical care immediately.

So try to keep away from places where you may be at risk.  Pregnancy is no time for catching illnesses such as these.  To say the very least, it won't be much of a vacation or successful working experience.

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