To go on holiday when (potentially) six OR seven months pregnant?

[feeling7]

We've been talking about TTC and feel ready to go for it this month.

But we have a holiday booked in May next year, and if we start now, I could be seven months pregnant when we go. Fully appreciate it will likely take longer than that to conceive, just working on what could happen. Also appreciate that plenty of people go on holiday in late pregnancy. Just wanted a general consensus, as this holiday will have been hard-saved for and much-needed.

I've heard that you generally feel better between months 3-6. Is going on the sort of holiday I'm describing below better before 7 months?

If it makes a difference, holiday is in the UK, a short flight away. We normally do a bit of walking on the flat there, as it is scenic, but the location is beautiful enough that I would be happy chilling there in the event that I wasn't feeling great. Just would hate to not go at all or rather be at home at the time.

I know nobody can really answer this for me. But in your opinion, would we be better off waiting another month? (so I'd be no more than six months pregnant if we conceived first month)

The statistics and chances are that you won't be 7 months pregnant OP.
Just get on with your life, could take a year or more to conceive, don't put your life on hold for a pregnancy that doesn't exist yet.

No issue whatsoever so long as you are ok with taking a very small chance that you won’t be able to go if your pregnancy is complicated.

Most airlines will require a letter from your GP confirming you're OK to fly and won't let you fly at all after 36 weeks. I think that's your main concern. Other than that don't put your life on hold

Is the holiday booked and paid for? If so, I would wait as you don't want to have to cancel and lose the money. I got pregnant the first month of trying and several people I know did too, so it can and does happen!

There are regulations for flying (I think you can fly up to 36 weeks with most airlines), and cruises can be very strict (we had to cancel one that wouldn't allow women over 28 weeks as I would've been 31 weeks by the end).

More generally, you may well not feel very comfortable or want to be away from home as you get closer to your due date. I had sciatica and sleep problems with both my pregnancies and while I enjoyed the holiday when I was 6-7 months pregnant, it would've been better to go around 4-5 months tbh.

I was on holiday recently at 34-35 weeks. Everything was perfectly fine and had a lovely week and that was abroad not even in the UK. I wouldn’t delay over the holiday .

I went from Ireland to France for two weeks at 33 weeks pregnant.

It was lovely, I was in bed every evening at 9pm and dh spent his evenings drinking red wine and eating blue cheese.

Probably won’t get pregnant the first month but obviously possible. You may be in the first trimester still by May or not pregnant at all. No point working on what if’s, just go for it.

You'll be fine. I went away this year at 30 weeks, didn't fly but it was a long ferry crossing. Might actually be easier if it's a flight say under 2 hours. I mainly struggled with all the activities we would usually do with our toddler, there was a lot of me just sitting outside whilst DP took her to the park etc.

I flew within the uk at 36 weeks pregnant for a walking/sightseeing holiday for a week. It was a lovely time, I had hyperemesis but it eased off a bit for that week so I was able to see a few things. My husband and I were so excited so it was a lovely time the two of us.

That being said no one can predict how you will feel, but if you can adjust your activities during the holiday to a comfortable level for you I would book it.

Good luck with TTC.

It's a hard one. You might not even be pregnant by then, or you could be in the early stages and have severe nausea, or you could find complications that make it difficult to fly etc. Depends how much of a risk taker you are I suppose.

I know a couple who went on one last big pre-children holiday to New York when 30 weeks pregnant.

Their dd decided to scupper their plans by arriving early, and as a result she’s a US citizen!

I’d go during the second trimester but wouldn’t consider going during the third. I’d be worried about baby coming early or some complications. Also I generally feel rotten in the third trimester so prefer just to be at home. I’d rather save the holiday for when baby is here!

Yes I'd go up to 36 weeks, the most you'd be is 6 months but you may not even be pregnant by then, I wouldn't hold off ttc for a UK holiday.

I wouldn’t hold of TTC on this basis. If you get lucky first month you can always assess closer to the time. I am risk averse around these things and have had pregnancy complications requiring hospitalisation but given you’re in the UK and the nearest big maternity unit is not too far away then I would be ok with it.

I went on holiday at 9 weeks, 22 weeks and 32 weeks pregnant.

9 weeks was by far the hardest. The 22 and 32 weeks were lovely, it was when I returned home from the 32 week holiday that the real ‘urgh’ feelings set in.

But as PP have said, in the nicest possible way, don’t bank on being heavily pregnant at that time. Hopefully you’re a lucky one and get pregnant straight away, but a healthy couple can take up to 12 months to get pregnant when TTC. Good luck and enjoy the holiday! We’ve just got back from our first with a baby and it’s nowhere near as relaxing!

YANBU - it took me 2 years to conceive DS, I hope it won't take you that long but you never know. I went on holiday to Spain at 30 weeks, and to Hungary at 33 weeks, flying back at 33+6 just before the cut-off date! It was fine, I just made sure to wear compression stockings on the plane to protect against DVT.

If anything, I'd possibly stop trying six weeks before i was going. Just to try to avoid the main sickness period.

I felt well from 13 weeks to eight months, in all my pregnancies. I had minor stuff and tiredness but would have still appreciated a break away.

A lot of Women conceive on holiday. Just don't name the baby after there.

I traveled a lot while pregnant, once long haul at 33 weeks. I was nervous leading up to it but it was all fine and nice to do something relaxing and special before baby came.

Thanks everyone for your comments. Just wanted a bit of a pep talk really.

@Ponoka7 - that is a very valid point! If we're still trying at that point, I'll heed that. Thank you. Funnily enough, we like a name related to the area, but given that we want to move there, had already decided to avoid!

I went away (3hr flight) at 6.5 months pregnant and had a fab time - was fine doing a reasonable amount of walking. But when we booked, we accepted that I might not go if there were any problems with the pregnancy.

Now, if the holiday had been when I was 8 to 16 weeks pregnant it would have been hellish!!! I would have missed out on all the yummy food (could only eat beige at that point) and would have been in bed by 6pm!

Everyone's pregnancy is different just as everyone's journey to conceiving is. I TTC over 10 years with 2 different husbands before IVF!! If I hadn't booked holidays, I'd have missed out on a lot.

I should add as a side note - we're really aware of the fact it may take a while. I have health issues that increase the odds of it taking longer (not drip feeding - just didn't want it to be a factor in this particular question). But we're trying to be positive. Because I've been unwell, it's taken us a long time to get to the point of feeling ready to try. The pressure of knowing it may take longer or not happen for us has made it worse. I feel happy that it's the right time now - nervous but excited!

I wouldn't postpone ttc for a UK holiday in 7 months time. If (very small 'if') you are 6 or 7m pregnant at the time of the holiday, most likely you'll still be fine to go but might need to adapt the itinerary to suit. Worst case, you have to cancel due to complications. Not really the end of the world.

I'm 6m pregnant now, it took over a year to fall pregnant (aged 28, no fertility problems). I'd be fine to go on holiday in my current pregnant state anyway, especially if it's not a huge trip

Even if you conceive in the first month (hope you do but statistically unlikely) it’s difficult to say as it will depend on what happens to you during your pregnancy.

I wouldn’t stop TTC because of this - just see how you go and take out appropriate insurance if possible. Luckily it’s in the Uk and you don’t have to think about Zika.

Personally we went to Greece at ten weeks and I found that tricky as I was having to be extra cautious about food and I felt quite exhausted (I didn’t even have morning sickness but still found it difficult).

The rest of my pregnancy was an absolute breeze until I was 35 weeks pregnant and a number of uncomfortable issues suddenly arose and I was in absolute discomfort.

I went away twice to the UK when I was six months and 7 months and it was absolutely fine- couldn’t walk much or use a lot of the spa facilities (eg limited massage options and can’t use jacuzzi) but it was still lovely and relaxing.

But I couldn’t do much after 7.5 months due to the issues I suddenly had.

So every pregnancy is different so don’t plan too much.

Even if you were 6-7 months pregnant you'll be fine on holiday, you can still do most holiday things though you might be little uncomfortable on the plane/long walks etc but really you should be fine. It took me 9 months to conceive my DS, me and OH both healthy and nothing wrong with us, just took a while!

I had my DD at 7 months quite by surprise after a straight forward pregnancy and although everyone assumes they’ll go full term it doesn’t always happen. Thank god I was at home and not on holidays that’s all I’ll say on it!

I wouldn’t go on holiday while pregnant in the later stages.