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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

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Original poster

Thailand when pregnant anyone? Or any tropical long haul?

20 replies

JimmyChoo17 · 11/12/2010 18:16

Anyone done the flight and holiday there? Staying in hotels rather than hostels but would love to hear from people have done tropical long haul whilst pregnant.

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WaitingforSanta · 11/12/2010 21:20

We went to Thailand on honeymoon and I was 6 weeks pregnant. So it was early days and apart from suffering from horrendous morning sickness (nice on honeymoon!) everything was fine.

Original poster

JimmyChoo17 · 12/12/2010 15:07

What foods did you stick to?

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onimolap · 12/12/2010 15:18

Check your itinerary carefully. Parts of Thailand are malarial - best avoided in pregnancy.

WaitingforSanta · 12/12/2010 23:09

I more or less ate everything I wanted. It was my first pregnacy so I was quite nervous about not eating foods that are not good in pregnancy, so we didn't go and eat sushi for example. As it was our honeymoon we were in nice places so I didn't worry too much. I know we ate 'street food' sometimes but then I would have fried rice without fish or chicken and as it's always cooked very well, I didn't worry.

I was of course careful with things like ice, but I'd do that anyway in somewhere like Thailand. We weren't in malaria areas - Bangkok, Samui and Chang Ria. Not sure I'd go off trekking in the jungle if pregant :)

kreecherlivesupstairs · 13/12/2010 08:25

We lived in Thailand for four years, and while I wasn't pregant there I had seven friends who were. How long will you go for and how pregnant will you be?
As long as you take basic sanitary precautions you'll be fine. Don't take malaria tablets but do use a barrier repellent.
Enjoy yourself.

notnearlyasblondasiwas · 13/12/2010 08:46

I did 4 weeks travelling around the islands when I was 8 weeks pregnant with dd. I ate everything I fancied, but not as much street food as I usually would have and the only thing I didn't do was dive, dr said would probably be fine but didn't way to risk it. I went to Phuket, Rayleigh, koh phi phi, koh lanta (sp) and then up to kph samui. Stayed in hostels and beach guts and had a fab time! I was lucky tho, as had no sickness at all. Go for it!

notnearlyasblondasiwas · 13/12/2010 08:47

Sorry posting on stupid iPhone! That was beach huts!!

kreecherlivesupstairs · 13/12/2010 09:26

Pleased I missed the beach guts. The other thing to bear in mind is the hospitals. Some are great, some are beyond awful. IIWY, I would go for it as long as I had decent medical insurance.

Original poster

JimmyChoo17 · 14/12/2010 13:01

Yep I have cover - am going to Bangkok, Chian Mai and Krabi in nice hotels - have cancelled our trekking trip tho. I'll be there from my 12th week - booked aisle seat.

Have got lots of mosiguard which is great but usually need stronger stuff in the evenings so my midwife is findingout whether my pump spray Bens stuff is ok - what did you ladies use as mozzie skin protection?

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kreecherlivesupstairs · 15/12/2010 07:53

As i said, I was never pregnant there but I think my with child friends used 'off'. It may contain DEET though and I am not sure whether this is considered A Bad Thing.
Beware the biting ants in Krabi, they gave DD a horrible rash on her legs. They seemed to live on the beach rather than on the streets.

Original poster

JimmyChoo17 · 15/12/2010 20:54

Thanks Kreecher - did anyone else use DEET products? Am in the UK so would love to hear what brands people used...the mixed reviews are scaring me!

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Sidge · 15/12/2010 21:20

I understand that DEET-containing products are safe to use in pregnancy.

Jungle is a reliable brand and their website says it's safe to use in pregnancy.

If you're not previously vaccinated against Hepatitis A you may want to consider vaccination, or you'll need to be particularly vigilant with your food and water hygiene even in a lovely hotel!

Original poster

JimmyChoo17 · 15/12/2010 21:39

Thanks luckily I have had all my jabs as have got about abit over the past few years :)

However Jungle formula has never worked for me. I got bitten to bits using it :(

was suprised at how bold JF were stating its safe and came across this....

www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1204370/Insect-repellent-ingredient-used-thousands-holidaymakers-cause-children-fit.html

Its all so confusig

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Sidge · 15/12/2010 21:49

That article in the DM only reports on one study; this article in a Canadian journal states that there is no/low risk and that is supported by the other research I've read. You can search in Google scholar for 'DEET use in pregnancy' and find loads of articles reassuring that use in pregnancy is safe, especially in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters.

Have you tried Autan?

Hersetta · 16/12/2010 09:55

Hi,

I went to the Maldives when i was 24 weeks pregnant. Had no issues at all and it was a lovely last relaxing holiday. I didm't use a repellant with deet in and so tried mosiguard which is a natural repellant suitable for children www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_2_9?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=mosiguard&sprefix=mosiguard and it has been the best repellent I have ever used. i never picked up a single bite and I know use it on my 3 yr old DD as well.

2 Months ago we booked a return visit to the Maldives only for a month later to find out I am expecting number 2, so this time when we go i will be 28 weeks and will again be using my trusty mosiguard.

Original poster

JimmyChoo17 · 17/12/2010 20:37

hi autan didn't seem to work when in the tropics

I have decided to use the mosiguard but will check again with mw and gp this week.

Love the Maldives!! that's where I realized mosigurad was best!

Which islands have u visited and going to?

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Hersetta · 18/12/2010 11:49

Only the one - we love it so much we've been 4 times with number 5 coming up in May. It's Called Lily Beach.

Holds a special place in our heart as we were there during the boxing day Tsunami of 2004 and were evacuated home 3 days later. Didn't stop us going back for Christmas the next year as well though!!

Original poster

JimmyChoo17 · 18/12/2010 14:59

Ah we have been to the sister island to lily island called oluvelhi we were there just a week before tsunami!

been to a meeru, filitheyo, kandooma too and meedhupparu all lovely but fili was our fav as honeymoon. Do you dive? We learnt at oluvelhi and will miss it now as pregnant but least I get to chill in the sun!

I wrote to mosiguard about my concerns and got a great reply which I'll post later. Explains the ingredients and I am much happier to use that than any other type. Doesn't smell too bad either.

did you catch the sun easier whilst pregnant? I don't to burn or overheat but have got some high sun block. I'm olive skinned so tan easily but was warned I might pigment.

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Hersetta · 18/12/2010 23:27

I was six months pg when we last went to Lily and must admit I couldn't sit in the sun like I normally do. If I did I would stick to short spells in the am and late pm with a damp towel over my bump and used a t shirt for snorkelling.

Original poster

JimmyChoo17 · 13/01/2011 19:17

Hey! I managed it!!! 6 flights, speedboats and elephant rides!! Really watched what ate and also whilst we did a lot I had plenty of rest. Vomited more in those 2 weeks but didn't feel sick if that makes sense!

So it can be done but I was relieved to be home as never really relaxed but my scan was after my return and bubs is just fine!

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