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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Holidays when pregnant

50 replies

Plunkett · 30/03/2012 13:45

Has anyone been on holiday abroad when pregnant. I've just had a phone call with Midwife and mentioned holiday as unsure of dates and want to check our hol (which was booked over a yr ago) will be ok. We're going Greece in July and i'll be between 22 and 28 weeks. The Midwife said the flight shouldn't be a problem but she wouldn't go and questioned if I should cancel it. She questioned the heat, food and medical care. I'm not sure what to do now.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

TheSinglePringle · 30/03/2012 13:48

I went to Tenerife when I was just under 20 week. I went to english bars for food as well buying things in my self. My mum was also pregnant on the trip to Tenerife. She was just over 13 week. How long are you away for? I went away.for 2 week and was ready to leave after 1.

AnaisB · 30/03/2012 13:52

I'd go and make sure I didn't over heat. Lots of Greek women manage pregnancy without a problem. Not sure what the problem with food might be?

I went to Malaysia when 12 weeks pregnant and New York at about 22 weeks. Both without a problem.

Flisspaps · 30/03/2012 13:53

I'd go!

Original poster

Plunkett · 30/03/2012 13:53

Hi Single
I'm not sure of dates which is why I was speaking to Midwife in the first place - only menioned hol in passing. Pg was a surprise and was already (selfishly) upset about being pg on the holiday but had got my head round sitting on a balcony reading whilst DH runs round after DS, now I feel worried about it again x

OP posts:

fatsamsgrandslam · 30/03/2012 13:55

I went to the States in my last pg, and next week will be heading to France and Spain and I'll be 19 weeks. My MW was not concerned in the slightest with either trip, and neither was I. As long as you are having a healthy pg so far, and you take sensible precautions (eating fresh, well cooked food from reputable places etc, keeping cool etc) you'll be absolutely fine. Make sure you have medical insurance too. It's hardly like you're off to a third world country! Enjoy your holiday!

SpottyDottyPinkDress · 30/03/2012 13:57

I went to France when I was 25 weeks pregnant. I tried to avoid unpasturised cheese, but over there they bother avoiding that in pregnancy so I got some odd looks asking if everything was ok.

I think if you think you can manage the heat then you'll be fine. I'm not good with hot weather at the best of times so would avoid hot holidays when pregnant but I hate them anyway IYSWIM.

The only thing I would recommend if you travel is to make sure you get travel .insurance that properly covers pregnancy, complications within pregnancy and birth. I assumed that they all would cover it but they don't. Best to google and read the T&Cs of the policies. I found Insure&Go and the Post Office had the best policies for pregnancy

whatsoever · 30/03/2012 13:58

I'm going to Majorca in May when I'll be 19/20 weeks, I hadn't even considered it to be a problem. If you have your EU healthcard and travel insurance then as long as you're not in a remote village with no motor vehicle access, you'll be fine.

Similarly on food - don't drink tap water and stick to whatever food rules you are sticking to in the UK and shouldn't be a problem.

I think your midwife is scare-mongering. I had to change my 20 week scan as it was due to be the week I was away and no-one questioned me at all.

Original poster

Plunkett · 30/03/2012 13:58

Thanks ladies,
I went to New York when 5months with DS and had no problems so my only concern was being to far gone to fly but MW wasn't concerned about that just being there.
I'm not going to worry - it's just her opinion i guess.

OP posts:

blondiep14 · 30/03/2012 14:08

I went to Greece at 24 weeks pregnant with DS2 and shall be going again this year when I shall be 27 weeks with DC3 for my sisters wedding.
We're flying with EasyJet and their policy is they don't need a doctor's note until 28 weeks, which was my only concern.

Original poster

Plunkett · 30/03/2012 14:13

Ah thanks blondie, We're going with Thomas Cook and that's their policy too.

Do you mind me asking how you found the heat? The hotter normally the better for me :)

OP posts:

PegBasket · 30/03/2012 14:16

I went to Greece at 20 weeks. It's was fine, if a bit boring as I couldn't get pissed

Original poster

Plunkett · 30/03/2012 14:18

lol Pegbasket - unfortunatly with a 5yr DS that would have been unlikely anyway.

OP posts:

AThingInYourLife · 30/03/2012 14:21

"Lots of Greek women manage pregnancy without a problem."

Quite!

swiftybaby · 30/03/2012 14:22

I'm off to st Lucia next week!!I'm 22 weeks.

NarkedPuffin · 30/03/2012 14:26

Numpty midwife.

Make sure your travel insurance knows you're pregnant and covers that. The EU health card (E111 replacement) covers different things in different countries, usually basic emergency care.

I would want air conditioning in July in Greece regardless of pregnancy, but floppy hat, loose clothes and staying out of the sun between 11am and 3pm would help.

AnEcumenicalMatter · 30/03/2012 14:31

I flew long haul and did a cruise at 18/19 weeks with no problems. Neither midwife nor GP had any concerns. Most airlines only require a letter or divorces certificate after 28 weeks and generally you can fly up to about 34 weeks (all airlines have slightly different cut off points).

PollyIndia · 30/03/2012 14:34

I've been invited to stay with friends in Jamaica at the end of july when I will be 31 weeks. I'd be flying alone, guess it's about 10 hours. Not sure it's wise... I hadn't even thought about issues flying late in pregnancy until I saw this thread! I guess in your case the midwife is just being super cautious

BarnMummy · 30/03/2012 14:37

I went to Kenya at 20 weeks. We were staying with a friend in Nairobi, so no malaria risk. I actually went to her obstretician while I was there as he offered a 20 week 3D scan, for £23!!!! It was great

LotusPalm · 30/03/2012 14:39

Been to Greece when 8 and 10 weeks pregnant with ds1 and ds2 respectively. Also spent a month in Thailand when 20 weeks and no one even uttered a word. And it was HOT!

Just take advantage of DH having to run around after dc and lounge around in the pool, and just make sure you don't massively overheat. I sunbathed a LOT in Thailand and all was fine!

memphis83 · 30/03/2012 14:41

I went to Tenerife at 13 weeks, my mw told me to go and have a great time!
I took anti bac wipes with me to keep surfaces clean and stayed away from eating meat while there, DH laughed at me saying I was being over cautious then he ate chicken and within 4 hours he was so ill, I follwed him round wiping everything he touched, I didnt get any illnesses told you so DH

Just double check your travel insurance before you go and have a great time

SootySweepandSue · 30/03/2012 14:48

The main thing is that if something were to happen you would not be at home with normal comforts/ support or with regular NHS treatment. You just need to be comfortable that where you are going any treatment is possible and you're covered for it. It's fine to be gung-ho and think that nothing bad ever happens but it does happen occasionally and if it did I would bet you would rather be at home.

I'm sure no one will share my point of view unless they have had a pregnancy issue whilst aboard and been scared shitless but it does happen.

MakeTeaNotWar · 30/03/2012 14:50

I honeymooned in Greece at 27 weeks and enjoyed all the local food, esp the seafood. Greek people were super friendly and made a big fuss over my bump and I was often treated to a nice old drink or a free pudding in restaurants! Had a wonderful time, stay hydrated and take care in the sun - all the usual things. Enjoy!

VeronicaSpeedwell · 30/03/2012 14:56

We decided not to go abroad at 28 weeks, for various reasons. I've had a totally problem-free pregnancy, but we were headed to somewhere we'd be well over an hour from the hospital, which wouldn't have been as good as the ones in the UK. While women do have babies all the time, all over the world, we felt that 28 weeks was a point at which the quality and speed of the care we could access might be crucial for the baby's chances if it came early, and we knew that would be much better in the UK than where we were supposed to go. The more we thought about it the more we felt that we might not totally relax, so we rearranged and went away in the UK instead. It wasn't just about a full on emergency e.g. waters breaking, bleeding, etc. as much as wondering what we'd do about things that ordinarily we'd get checked out by phoning the hospital/seeing GP/midwife etc.

The doesn't mean I think other people are wrong to go away; we really meant to, and only called it off at the last minute. However, if you have any doubts I don't think there's any shame in changing your plans. It doesn't sound like you do though, so have a lovely time. And check that your insurance will cover your baby's care as well as yours -- once they're born, they're not considered part of you any more and can rack up some massive bills!

whatsoever · 30/03/2012 15:45

SootySweepandSue I suspect anyone who'd been ill, never mind had pregnancy problems whilst on holiday, would probably agree with you. If I'd had a bad experience, no doubt I would.

A little later on in pregnancy and my personal thoughts would be different. I probably won't go abroad with my DH later in the summer when we normally would, but only because I think I'll be uncomfortable on economy flights and will find the heat which I normally love, oppressive.

MissPollysTrolleyed · 30/03/2012 15:54

I went to the Caribbean when 28 weeks pregnant and my midwife didn't bat an eyelid. I'm now considering a trip to France when 34 weeks pregnant and my midwife said she thinks it will be absolutely fine provided that I don't develop any complications between now and then. I think your midwife is being very over-cautious and could probably do with lightening up and going on hols herself. It's not like you're planning a trip to Somalia (a recurrent dream of mine when I was pregnant last time ).

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