Am I being daft to even consider it? WWYD?

[Tweetinat]

This will be the last year we can go on holiday outside of school holidays and had planned to go somewhere mid/long haul. I've just worked out that if we go ahead with our plans, I'm likely to be 20 weeks pregnant on the weeks we wanted to go. One of the options is Sharm El Sheik at the Sensorati there, and other options were one of the Caribbean islands.

I've never been one to normally worry about these things, but for some reason I don't know if I'm being foolish to even consider going abroad. Can someone shake some sense into me?

[DomesticGoddess31]

I say go! May well be your last opportunity to have a relaxing holiday for a while. I went to gran canaria with a good friend who was about 20 wks pregnant and she loved it. I went to new York at 16 weeks and loved that too. Chances are any nausea will have gone and you will be feeling at your best. I'd kill for a holiday right now (32 wks and rather fed up!)

[Flexiblefriend]

I'd say go for it. As long as you avoid area's where malaria is a problem, I don't think you are taking any real risk. Enjoy your holiday!

[jeee]

Just make sure you're okay with travel insurance.... and do speak to the insurance company before you book.

[ForTheLoveOfSocks]

I've been to the Sensetori for my honeymoon in 2011.

It's a bloody lovely hotel, food is nice and the staff are lovely.

They do have an on site doctor if you are worried, but I would say go for it.

[NewJobNewLife]

I've been to two of the Sensatori resorts (but not Egypt) and would say it is perfect for pregnant holidays and holidays with babies under two (after that it spirals out of my budget! Would recommend it for all ages really).

Go and enjoy it. At 20 weeks you will be feeling good, and should the worst happen, your baby will still be too small to be helped. When I was pregnant, I was more wary of going away after 24 weeks, when I knew a good UK hospital had a good chance of saving baby.

Sorry to be a but morbid. I just think at 20 weeks you really do only have yourself to think about. Your baby will either be fine or not, but there's nothing anyone can do to those odds anyway. Obviously I'd drink bottles water, eat in a clean hotel etc, which Sensatori most definitely will be :)

Have a great time :)

[Waggamamma]

I'm going on holiday (Balerics) at 22weeks. I was booked before I got pg.

I went to Marbella in my last pregnancy at 25 weeks. I think it's the best time to go as you are passed the sickness and nausea but not the size of a house/whale yet, still able to get around easily. Also chances of anything going wrong at this stage are very small, just make sure you have good medical insurance.

[whatsagoodusername]

I went to Egypt around 24 weeks. It was lovely. I had to be careful to keep cool (July), but otherwise it was a great trip!

Also did the US around 18 weeks. The flight was long and uncomfortable, but then it usually is

Agree that you just need good insurance that definitely covers any pregnancy problems and be sensible. If you have any concerns about your/baby's health, check with your midwife if they feel you're safe to travel.

[Fairypants]

I'm booked to go to Cuba when I will be 16 weeks. I checked before booking that I am up to date with all the vaccinations and no malaria risk there.
I mentioned it to my mw who was totally happy. Recommended I get compression socks (properly measured and fitted) and move around during the flight , only eat at reputable places, drink bottled water and an very careful with hand washing but otherwise no concerns.
The difference between 16 and 20 weeks is minimal so I would expect them to say the same to you.

[Tweetinat]

Thank you all so much for your reassuring stories! I've decided that pregnancy won't be a barrier to going away - it may just be the pennies that ruin plans but I'm keeping fingers crossed we manage it. Thanks again :)

[jen2014]

FWIW DH and I went on our honeymoon to Southern Africa, Australia and Canada when I was between 20-27 weeks pregnant and baby and I were absolutely fine, even with anti-malarials.
I made a point of phoning to book travel insurance so I could double check they were ok with my pregnancy. But they were more worried about DH taking statins than me being pregnant! Good idea to take your pregnancy notes though, just in case.
But would definitely recommend going as those kinds of holidays are much harder later on and the memories and photos keep you going through some really tough patches later on!
Oh, and if you do go for the Caribbean and you're still working then make sure you allow 3/4 days to recover when you return as the jet lag is doubly hard when pregnant.

[tertle]

Go for it! I travelled to New York and back at 29/30 weeks. It was a bit tiring but fine. I just made sure I had a 'fit to fly' certificate from my doctor and checked that my insurance would cover me whilst there.

One piece of advice that I would give with regards to flying is to take a spare set of super comfy clothes. I changed into maternity jogging bottoms and a hoody once we took off and it was so much more comfortable. Oh and drink plenty of water.

A relaxing holiday will be lovely at 20 weeks. Enjoy! At 35 weeks I am very jealous...

[ChicaMomma]

20 weeks is the ideal time to go! My consultant said to me that if we were planning any big trips, that week 16-26 was the best time.. go and enjoy it..

I'm going to marbella at 32 weeks, probalby mad, but i'm sure it'll be fine! short flight etc.. i just fancy a bit of sun and R&R before all hell breaks loose, and the sun before end april (when we are going) is just not reliable enough..

[Shakshuka]

Sorry to be the voice of gloom but I would absolutely not go to Sharm El Sheikh right now, pregnant or not. I know it's classed as 'safe' but it's not. The Sinai is in chaos, there's anarchy and an armed insurrection (including surface to air missiles which could down a plane). Yes, the Red Sea resorts are self contained and protected by the army but one big Al-Qaida attack and they'll be running for their lives.

I'm biased because a good friend of mine was killed in a terrorist attack on a tourist resort in the Sinai in 2004. She was killed outright but another woman was badly injured at the same time and the Egyptian response was so chaotic and so about trying to minimise the situation that she ended up dying when she could have been saved.

I know terrorism can happen anywhere but going to the Sinai is inviting trouble imo. I wouldn't risk it. Go to the Caribbean!!!

[evertonmint]

I've travelled to both when pregnant - both were great. I was 27 weeks and 22 weeks. The difference was the flights - fairly comfy at 22 weeks but really not at 27 weeks!

Do watch for the heat though - I spent more time in the shade relaxing than usual as the heat really sapped my energy.

[ChicaMomma]

Shak, i was going to say the same but kept my mouth shut as it wasnt really the debate to hand- but i agree with you 100%... I know friends of mine who were due to honeymoon there were advised to relocate, that was only last nov.. and they went to the carribean instead..
Or you could go to Dubai??? fabulous during our spring time.Not everybodies cup of tea i realise, but we've been twice and love it!

[GeeinItLaldy]

I went on a Caribbean cruise at 19 weeks. It was the perfect time during pregnancy to go away. I have also been to Sharm and would choose Caribbean every time if budget allows.

[LastOneDancing]

We had a holiday at 16 weeks and it was bliss - we really enjoyed each others company, relaxed & it was very romantic we went somewhere we'd been to before and loved, because we didn't want any surprises in arrival, just sun & rest! It worked out very well.

Wherever you go have a wonderful time!

[Mummyk1982]

Hello! I frequently visit Sharm, and as wonderful a holiday as it always is, I personally wouldn't be heading out there whilst pregnant- only because I always end up with a slight tummy upset- and I'm very careful!! (Am a nurse- hand hygiene is my religion!!!!) I've written it off for a few tears actually because I won't want our little one getting poorly either (currently 34 weeks preg). If you do go- I'm jealous! Have a fabulous time! :-)

[deelite72]

Be careful where you go. My friend did this. Went to Egypt on a 'last chance before baby comes' holiday with the family, picked up some sort of infection which turned to septic and lost her baby at 7 months gestation. Personally I would stay within Europe if I were you. I wouldn't go anyplace with hygiene issues or risk of infection. And anyplace that requires travel vaccinations, is a NO. Sorry to sound negative, but it's not worth it.

[Thatsnotmyfigure]

We're going to Sharm with our toddler too. Can't beat a bit of sun. I lived in Egypt and was never ill I think it depends on your attitude

[zoemaguire]

How do the bugs know what your attitude is?:)

[Thatsnotmyfigure]

They pounce on people who are paranoid and have sensitive stomachs ;)

[TheJumped]

Lol at getting sick depending on your attitude! A bit thoughtless in reality, if you think about it for a second or two...

[willtheyeverusethepotty]

Hi there,

I travelled from South Africa, where I travelled, to South East Asia for an important work try (my husband's). I was 19 weeks pregnant with twins and only went because we travelled business.

If I were you, I would keep away from Egypt at the moment - wonderful place to visit, but not since the Arab spring. I would also stay away from the Caribbean - too far, flight will be uncomfortable. Why don't you pick somewhere closer to the UK? Even NY, the flight is not that long from London.

[Shakshuka]

And this tourist bus was just bombed in Sinai.
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/egypt-tourist-bus-bombing-kills-four-in-sinai-9133148.html

The Sinai isn't safe and tourists are a prime target.