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Original poster

Africa honeymoon 6 weeks pregnant, need advice

28 replies

Cazz1234 · 25/10/2018 20:47

Hi, I would like some advice
We just found out that we are 6 weeks pregnant which is great, however we are due to go on our honeymoon to South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botwana in 2 weeks time.
I went and got medical advice over malaria tablets as it seems to be a grey area in the first trimester as there is limited studies showing if it causes defects. I was told by one doctor to take Malarone as its a shorter course.
We have looked into cancelling but would loose all the money we saved so long for it. I know its only money and the baby is more important but I just wanted to know if anyone had had experience of taking Malarone in the first trimester.
Surely Mums to be who move over the these areas must take protect against malaria.

OP posts:

FATEdestiny · 25/10/2018 20:55

Do you have travel insurance?

I once had to cancel a holiday on the basis that u was pregnant and the doctor wouldn't give the required immunizations.

The refund for cancelling was covered in full (Well, minus the £100 excess) by travel insurance.

TipseyTorvey · 25/10/2018 21:03

Lived in all these areas and following sensible local advice is key. Suggest you speak to the consulate in each country as malaria prevalence varies from season to season. Also it depends where exactly you're going? Areas with low lying stagnant water are worse than fast flowing rivers etc. Each local area can advise best as they're aware of what's happening close to them. I don't want to say 'oh you'll be fine don't worry' but really if you read up and are very sensible (mosquito nets, spray, don't hang around lakes) and follow local advice then you're probably okay.

Sleepingdog123 · 26/10/2018 21:33

Hi! I went to Botswana at 16 weeks pregnant and although I didn't make it to Zimbabwe as I felt poorly the day we were meant to go (nothing serious at all) I took advice for travelling there.

My brother lived in Botswana at the time and had for ten years, he never took malaria tablets as local advise was that they can mask symptoms of malaria if the tablets were ineffective for whatever reason. We went in October, I've no idea now when it's high mozzie season, but I didn't get bitten and I can be prone to being a feast for the winged devils.

Obviously seek medical advice and I'm not saying take my advice over that, simply sharing the choices I made and why.

Have an amazing time, it's an absolutely beautiful part of the world!

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1st trimester Families General pregnancy

Original poster

Cazz1234 · 27/10/2018 10:23

Thankyou for the replies, unfortunately we hadnt sorted travel insurance out yet so that option is out.
TipseyTorvey we are going to safaris in Kruger park, Victoria falls, Southern Zimbabwe and Eastern Botswana. Speaking to consultants in the areas is a good idea. Did you manage to avoid getting bitten whilst u loved out there?
Sleepingdog123 Thank you for putting my mind at rest, I am more leaning towards not taking any tablets as im hearing how people are easily avoiding being bitten at all. Did u not take any antimalarials? How long were u there? I have got such mixed medical advice ranging from cancel to go without the tablets that we are totally confused.

OP posts:

FATEdestiny · 27/10/2018 10:27

Do you require the yellow fever vaccine?

That was the basis of my travel insurance claim for cancelling. My GP said yellow fever vaccine was recommended (The Gambia) but refused to allow me to have it when pregnant. Although it wasn't a compulsory vaccine, I wasn't happy going against my GP recommendation so I cancelled and we went somewhere that didn't require any vaccines instead.

SeaToSki · 27/10/2018 10:30

Hve you looked at taking doxycycline? Its an effective anti malarial and is an antibiotic. I dont know if its compatible with pregnancy but it might be.

Dont forget the other innoculations you will need. Its not just all about malaria.

Do your medical notes have documented that you are pregnant yet? Can you take out travel insurance now and then ‘discover’ the pregnancy in a month? Unethical I know, but...

toosoonforsnow · 27/10/2018 10:32

https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/factsheet/45/pregnancy
I'd seriously consider modifying the trip to locations with low or no Malaria risk, pregnancy makes you more susceptible.

Wauden · 27/10/2018 10:34

I used to dab a citrus essential oil on me in Africa as insects are supposed to be repelled by that. Also used insect repellent sun cream and of course mosquito net for bed.

Original poster

Cazz1234 · 27/10/2018 10:50

Luckily I wouldnt need the yellow fever vaccination just the thyphoid one which ive been told is safe as its not a live vaccine. All other vaccines I have already had.
I was told Doxyclicline was fairly safe but it involved taking it for a month after returning which then poses a higher risk than malarone which u only take for 1 week after.
Wauden did these things manage to avoid all bites?
Toosoonforsnow unfortanetly the tour operator wouldnt change it as we asked for this but its too late notice. We werent able to postpone it either. All very annoying.

OP posts:

notangelinajolie · 27/10/2018 10:54

You may also struggle with morning sickness which is bad enough at the best of times - on a safari miles away from anywhere won't be much fun for you. Have you spoken to your travel agent? Are you able to switch the trip to somewhere else?

Congratulations by the way

We had to cancel the trip if a lifetime to Egypt and the surrounding areas for the very same reason.

BFGgirl · 27/10/2018 10:57

Hi, you definitely don’t need malaria tablets for Kruger, unfortunately I don’t know about the other areas but could you restructure your trip at all to avoid malarial areas?

Original poster

Cazz1234 · 27/10/2018 11:00

Notangelinajolie Thanks for the response. Shame you missed your trip. Im luckily handling the morning sickness ok at the moment but i know things can change. The tour operator would do no deal with us at all. I feel totally selfish to be wanting to still go but on the other hand I think maybe im being over the top thinking something bad would happen when its only for 2 weeks.

OP posts:

Sleepingdog123 · 27/10/2018 11:15

Hi, no I didn't take any at all, I've visited Botswana about five times to see my brother at different times of year and only took them for my first visit. I don't recall ever being bitten to be honest.

Sleepingdog123 · 27/10/2018 11:16

When I went to Thailand though... Dear god. I was covered in angry bites!!

Original poster

Cazz1234 · 27/10/2018 11:32

BFGgirl do i definately not need them for Kruger? We tried to say to the tavel agent to just do south africa to avoid the areas but they wouldnt change anything for us.

OP posts:

toosoonforsnow · 27/10/2018 11:56

Honestly Op I'd make an appointment with my GP/Practice Nurse/ travel clinic and take specialist advice.
https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/media_lib/mlib-uploads/full/samalaria.jpg

eurochick · 27/10/2018 12:10

Are the areas you are travelling to all zika-free?

Original poster

Cazz1234 · 27/10/2018 12:51

Yes thankfully all are zika free zones.
Toosoonforsnow We have seen two travel nurses and one private doctor. One nurse said not to go at all, one said to take methoquine and the private doctor said to either not take anything or take Malarone. So difficult cos none have given us the same answers.

OP posts:

TipseyTorvey · 27/10/2018 15:55

@Cazz1234. Did I get bitten? -oh yes to buggery in the bush in Botswana when I first arrived but it wasn't a malaria area as we were in the dry khalari in the bush for a few years so just very itchy, then moved to Zimbabwe which is a bit more rainy so there was more of a risk in the rainy season but I lived in the suburbs in Harare so there wasn't much risk there either. Southern Zimbabwe - do you mean near Bulawayo? I think its drier down there but only went a few times and can't remember. At Vic falls you might want to be more careful as the waterfall means its very tropical in the jungle part before you get there but again check for recent incidences. It really is an amazing sight though so I hope you can go!

TipseyTorvey · 27/10/2018 15:57

Just seen your last post. I think you should ring doctors in the places you're going to and have a frank conversation, you might want to change the destinations a bit based on that but UK nurses are likely to err on the side of caution. Remember lots of women live there and get pregnant so it's not a zika situation. People who've never lived in Africa have some funny ideas about it I find ;-)

Cherries101 · 27/10/2018 16:00

Go to a private GP and ask them to write you a medical letter saying you aren’t fit to go — you can then show this to your insurer so you can get a refund. Africa is not the place to go when you’re so early in your pregnancy. It’s not just Malaria — there are a million other illnesses including Zika that could harm your baby.

CaseStudyResearch · 27/10/2018 16:03

Lived in two of those areas and never took tablets. I actually don’t think I ever got bitten by a mosquito in the three years there, and I normally get covered in bites.

Definitely not needed in Kruger, and there was one potential case in Zim.

Nesssie · 27/10/2018 16:05

Cherries she already said she hasn’t got insurance and she is not going to Zika areas. Plenty of people go to Africa when pregnant.
Don’t be dramatic.

NotPennysBoat · 27/10/2018 16:06

I would absolutely not take the chance. You could end up with a lifetime of caring for a poorly child, it's not worth the risk. Yes the chances may be slim but the consequences would be devastating, and it's avoidable.
A little bit naughty but I would take out insurance TODAY and then 'discover' your pregnancy in a few weeks time.

Original poster

Cazz1234 · 27/10/2018 16:55

Thanks for the reply. @Notpennysboat the only problem is we already went for a scan to check it isnt ectopic as that would have been a whole other problem. Im not sure if thats something they could trace do you know?

OP posts:

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