Anyone been, going on, or planning overseas holiday whilst pregnant?

[supersupersupershock]

We are considering a little break to Tenerife when I will be 18 weeks. Last holiday before baby arrives. Just wondered if anyone had any tips/advice?

[ByTheWishingWell]

We did when I was about 12 weeks. It was lovely and relaxing, although I got heat rash, which I never have done before, so I don't know if being pregnant makes you more susceptible. So I would advise plenty of sun cream.

My only tip apart from that is that a lot of the alcohol-free beers are horrible and best avoided.

[supersupersupershock]

Gosh that has reminded me - I went when I was last pregnant over 10 years ago and I got heat rash and didn't tan very well.... I had forgotten that!

[ToddlingAlong1]

I am going on a long haul flight with 2 shorter connecting flights -24 hours travel at 20 weeks and 24 weeks when I return. Looking forward to visiting family and some sun. Not looking forward to the flights!! Was thinking of getting some stockings from airport to reduce chances of DVT, but was told they need to fit well or could cause more problems, so not so sure now. I would just make the most of last break away!! Enjoy.

[stubbornstains]

(waves at super)

Boo, I really, really, really want to go somewhere. Problem is, I'd want to go somewhere with decent medical care, just in case- so Europe. Which doesn't really start getting nice and warm till late March/ early April. By which time I'll be about 30- 32 weeks. I was still going to- the Easyjet cut off is 35 weeks- but now I've split up with DP, it'd be just me and my 5 year old, and I can't risk going into premature labour (however unlikely) with no one to look after DS. Bugger, bugger, bugger .

[stubbornstains]

Just get up and go to the toilet 78 times during the flight toddling- should keep your circulation lively....

[juneau]

I travelled quite a bit while pregnant with DS1 and didn't have any problems. I think the main points are to make sure that your doctor/midwife is okay with it and have a letter stating that fact and the stage of pregnancy you're at, always take your maternity notes, make sure you have comprehensive medical insurance, know the emergency numbers in any country you happen to be in and where the nearest hospital is, and not take any unnecessary risks (I met a woman over new year who was 24 weeks pregnant and skiing FGS!).

[supersupersupershock]

(waves back at stubborn) Yep I wanted to keep to Europe (Tenerife is in Europe.... I did have to check, ahem!) I doubt healthcare as good as Italy France etc but as you say want to go in second trimester and those places will be tooo cold then

Toddling I did long haul flights last time and went to doc and got delightful stocking type contractions on prescription :)

[ToddlingAlong1]

Haha, thanks stubborn.

Maybe I should sit in a window seat and make my OH suffer with me!! Can't be the only one getting no sleep these days.

Will probably be drinking lots of water to keep hydrated, so may well end up 78 trips to toilet! Arrgh, joys of pregnancy.

[stubbornstains]

I heard somewhere that the Spanish healthcare system is pretty good. Italy's is.......not great (used to live there).

[Memphisbelly]

I went to Tenerife in my first pregnancy and it was fine, I was a bit more cautious than normal with food, wouldn't eat meat so are veggie and fish, rook anri bac wipes to clean toilet and kitchen in villa, on the last night dh had chicken and they nearly didn't let us fly home as he was so ill after it, probably a total coincidence but I am glad I didn't eat any
This time we went to Morocco, lovely and hot but didn't tan at all due to weird pregnancy skin! We have just been to France for one final trip and that was nice too but obviously freezing

[Mrsstevejones]

Went on a holiday before DD arrived, i came back just on the limit of the airlines pregnancy limit - i think i was 26/ 32 weeks?

It all fairness i wish i hadnt bothered. I couldnt bear sitting in the sun, the pool was freezing so i didnt swim, i was huge and waddled slowly everywhere.
I ended up having a 10lb 4 baby!!

TBF we were on a very cheap holiday and i didnt like the look of the food - i think it was a 3 star (2 star) hotel. I spent a lot of time sleeping on a very uncomfortable bed - but it could be down to our cheap holiday choices! Somewhere posh with fab food and a warm pool might have been a different experience!

[HazleNutt]

yes, had some lovely holidays. Just be careful in the sun, your skin is more sensitive. Flight socks and move around on the plane. Get good health insurance.

[wheresmybiscuit]

I went to Cuba while 12 months pregnant and the only real issue I had was the 10 hour flight. I wish I had a pillow (or 10) to put under my bum.
Getting all the vit D from the sun and swimming all day long was an absolute pleasure.
Unfortunatelly, all the local food did not agree with me, so I ended up eating ice-cream and fruit for a week.
As previously stated - good insurance, plenty of water and sunscreen are a must.

[hestialou]

We are going to Rome, ten years ago ended up in a&e in Italy, they were good but spoke no English, and my Italian was conversation level only! Will google and print some handing phrase for dh to learn just in case

[missingpinotgrigio]

I flew to Cyprus at 18 weeks to be bridesmaid at my friends wedding! It was lovely to just chill out with all my friends (hubby stayed in UK because of work commitments) lounge in the pool and slob on a sun lounger!! Just what was needed after a horrendous time with really bad morning/day/night sickness from week 8 to 16!!!

[supersupersupershock]

I am tempted but have read more on keeping out of the sun when have bun in the oven... hmmm!

[stubbornstains]

I went to Cuba while 12 months pregnant

Now that's impressive!

[GotToBeInItToWinIt]

I went away 3 times in my last pregnancy. Spain at 14 weeks, Italy at 16 weeks at Spain again at 32 weeks. The 16 week trip to Italy was the easiest/most comfortable as my morning sickness had gone and I wasn't big enough for it to cause any problems yet. Just remember your skin can change slightly during pregnancy so make sure you use plenty of suncream and stay in the shade if you feel like you need to.

[GotToBeInItToWinIt]

I didn't have any issues in the sun by the way, I've just heard that some people do!

[tilder]

Yes. Would just say you have a very frank discussion with your insurance. They need to know you are pregnant and how far along. I travelled at about 18 weeks and to Italy. Beautiful holiday. Most insurers wouldn't touch me with a barge pole when I told them (regardless of what their website said). The specialist insurance was about £20 more so not a deal breaker.

[Jackieharris]

I went to Spain when I was 10-12 weeks. I wouldn't do it again.

I couldn't drink so going to bed early sober felt like no holiday at all!

I usually like trying different food but I just wanted familiar plain food at that stage of pregnancy. I craved plain toast, not yucky fried bread. It was pretty miserable.

I also couldn't go on flume rides or roller coasters.

[GotToBeInItToWinIt]

I have insurance through my bank account, phoned them up before travelling and there was no problem, even at 32 weeks.

[Christelle2207]

Going to Barcelona next week when I will be 25 weeks. Went to Germany at similar stage last time and was fine. Took preg notes just in case (small chance airline might ask for proof as to how far along I am) but noone batted an eyelid last time.
I would just stick to places
with decent healthcare, tenerife will be fine.
As an interesting anecdote I had to cancel a (ferry) trip to france at about 29 weeks when I heard Brittany Ferries' pregnancy policy is 28 weeks, no exceptions. Am guessing because some of their crossings are very long and they don't want to be liable to pay for helicopters.

[SK28]

I had to a cancel a work trip to the States when I would have been around 10 weeks, because my midwife told me not to fly long haul. But I went to Spain at around 16 weeks and Cyprus at around 19 weeks and both were fine. I stayed out of the sun (which was hard, I love the sun!) and I missed the delicious seafood as I thought best to be more careful with food. I was exhausted but I could doze on the beach very easily...Spain with family was totally fine; Cyprus with friends was a bit more challenging as they were out every night but I just went out when I could and stayed in the hotel when I needed to. I didn't even think about the healthcare in the countries we were at (which I probably should have!) but I was with Greek-speaking people in Cyprus and I speak Spanish so I knew I could communicate if I did need anything!

[wheresmybiscuit]

hahah stubbornstains weeks, I meant weeks