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Original poster

MOROCCO WHILST PREGNANT

35 replies

bluebutterfly8 · 27/04/2024 00:44

Hello

I need some perspective please.

About a month ago, I booked a holiday to Agadir for mid-August; I've today found out that I'm preg (4-5 weeks). This was unexpected and has come as a surprise but I'm grateful so noy complaining.

The issue is - I'm now panicking because it'll be really hot, there's the risk of food poisoning, and so much more.

I feel like the only options I've got are:

  1. Just fly out in Aug and hope for the best.
  1. Change the dates to end of May when it'll be cooler. The problem with this is that my husband has applied for his first passport and will be sending the documents including his current passport to home office next week. As it's a first passport, it'll take longer - and what if I change the dates to say 28th of May and the passport hasn't come back.
I'm also conscious that at end of May, I'll be 9 weeks preg which doesn't take me out of the risky period.
  1. Cancel the holiday if I'm allowed as I booked a month ago and found out I'm preg today! Also, if they do allow me to cancel but would they cancel for dh and our 3 dc.

Tia

OP posts:
MissScarletInTheBallroom · 30/04/2024 19:33

Littledidsheknow · 30/04/2024 19:31

I went to Marrakesh last October and did NOT get sick. Nor did anyone else in my family. We ate out every night in nice restaurants and everything was fresh and clean. I wasn’t sexually harassed either. They’ve really clamped down on such behaviour now, apparently.

That said, I’d not go there pregnant in August!

Not sure how they'd solve the sexual harassment issue given that it would require a substantial proportion of the male population to completely change their mindset about how to treat women.

Littledidsheknow · 30/04/2024 19:37

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 30/04/2024 19:33

Not sure how they'd solve the sexual harassment issue given that it would require a substantial proportion of the male population to completely change their mindset about how to treat women.

Show quote history

There have tourist police. Many in plain clothes.
I honestly felt very safe there.

agncndmkd128494 · 30/04/2024 19:55

If you can I'd cancel. Definitely wouldn't go in May as you're still going to be under 12 weeks and if something does go wrong you might not get the best medical care over there. I wouldn't want to go later in pregnancy either though because of the food poisoning risk, although I guess you could chance it and be super careful- but you might enjoy a UK holiday more!

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Verite1 · 30/04/2024 19:58

bluebutterfly8 · 30/04/2024 18:51

I am so grateful for every comment on this post - you've helped me put things in to perspective and think about solutions I wouldn't have thought of otherwise!

The majority of the comments indicate the medical care isn't the best and know of people who have got sick alongside the hot weather. I don't think it's worth the risk!
I need to sort this out.

A lovely poster sent a link to a site where we can sell holidays - I filled in the form to then have to tick a box to confirm payment has been made in full for the holiday. I haven't paid in full, I'm making monthly payments and still have another 3 to go!

@graceingraceinc22
Thank you for your suggestion to get a doctors letter indicating that I can't travel due to health reasons/preg. I've had 5 MCs prior to this pregnancy therefore I'm already high risk. The last pregnancy I ended up in hosp for a few days because I was bleeding so much. I have been referred to the gynaecology department and should hear from them in the next few days.

I'm just thinking that if I did manage to get a doc letter, would I be allowed to cancel for all 5 of us or just me. I don't want to google because right now my anxiety is sky high and I can't risk making it worse.
Sorry if this sounds like a silly question but would they not say that dh could still go with the kids :/

Tia

If you can get medical evidence that shows that you cannot travel, insurance should cover cancellation costs of everyone in your family group. At least it would be a very unusual policy if it didn’t.

Synergies · 30/04/2024 20:00

I went to Morocco (Marrakesh) while pregnant (first trimester) and had no problems at all. As a Muslim country it's very teetotal friendly and all the food I ate was wonderfully fresh. Enjoy!

Confusedmermaid1 · 30/04/2024 20:10

I used to work in travel insurance, depends on your policy of course as to what cancellation covers but if they accept the claim for you to cancel on medical grounds then that will apply to your DH and kids as long as you are all named on the policy
They wouldn’t expect your DH and kids to go without you

FortunataTagnips · 30/04/2024 20:29

I’ve been to Morocco loads and never got sick. But I wouldn’t go in August while pregnant. And all the expats I knew always got serious medical treatment elsewhere.

mitogoshi · 30/04/2024 20:47

Are you booked as a package eg TUI or easyJet holidays? If so call them first as they may be amenable to you changing your booking to a different country note there's likely to be additional costs because Morocco is cheaper than much of Europe.

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 30/04/2024 21:03

Littledidsheknow · 30/04/2024 19:31

I went to Marrakesh last October and did NOT get sick. Nor did anyone else in my family. We ate out every night in nice restaurants and everything was fresh and clean. I wasn’t sexually harassed either. They’ve really clamped down on such behaviour now, apparently.

That said, I’d not go there pregnant in August!

We really enjoyed Marrakesh and had no issues there or in Fez, but we did get sick having eaten at a tourist site [reputable restaurant] while sightseeing outside of Fez. While it wiped us out for 2.5 days it was just about manageable as two adults to lie on the floor of the bathroom for two days and a night. I can't imagine trying to deal with it with kids, never mind pregnant. So while I'd love to go there with my now tween children that has put me off. The stress of taking small children who put everything in their mouths would be off the charts as a result. They can get sick anywhere obviously but I'd want the surety that we could access decent healthcare easily.

We had an amazing trip in many respects and the people were lovely and very hospitable.. I just don't think it's appropriate in August, with small kids and it now appears, a high risk pregnancy. I'd be staycationing on the last point alone.

Pocketfullofdogtreats · 30/04/2024 21:32

I wouldn't. DH and I both got really ill in Morocco (D&V). We did meet some lovely people but also had a lot of hassle. You want to feel safe and nurtured when you're pg, not challenged. If you haven't been outside of Europe/the US type places then it can feel quite a culture shock.
I remember feeling really hot and uncomfortable when I was pg over the summer. I would try to change the destination if I were you, or get a credit for next year maybe.

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