Holidays when pregnant

[Plunkett]

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.

I went to Menorca at about 26 weeks. I figured it would be a good idea to go - as we wouldn't get a child free holidayagain for many years.

It was fine. Quite hot weather, but that is what the sea is there for - to keep cool.

My only problem was putting the tray table down for my meal on the plane.. ;)

You are holidaying in the EU. I am sure Greece has good healthcare. Just make sure you have good holiday insurance too to be on the safe side.

And enjoy your holiday!!!!!

gosh yes, I've been on lots well, two. I went skiing when I was 15 weeks pg with ds, and I went to the south of France when I was 35 weeks pg with him. Both times the mw was happy for me to go (I took notes and EHIC card). I can't understand why your mw was so negative about it.

headfairy what would have happened if you went into labour while in France/ Could you just turn up at a maternity ward with your EHIC card and expect the same standard of care as French women? I'm planning a trip around the same time and just want to be sure I wouldn't have to deliver the baby myself at the hospital gates if I went into labour.

To be honest I have no idea, and I didn't give it a moments thought. Quite possibly I should have but it was my first pregnancy and I was a bit clueless.

I have been in hospital in France several times (skiing injuries) and they have always been super nice, very clean hospitals, lovely helpful staff. Yes, as we were covered by holiday insurance they may well have gone a bit overboard with the medications/x rays etc (I was travelling with three doctors, one an orthopaedic surgeon) the French doc prescribed me heparin injections even though I was still mobile albeit on crutches and my friends said in the UK I probably wouldnt' have been given it (and indeed I turned it down on their advice)

However, going to hospital is a worse case scenario really isn't it? If you are healthy and it's a normal low risk pregnancy there shouldnt' be any need should there? I'm very much of the opinion that you could weigh up all the odds and be freaked out by the prospect of something that has a very strong chance of never happening, and miss out on what could be a lovely holiday. More so if this is your first baby, because believe me holidays won't be the same again for a very very very long time fondly recalls lying on a sun lounger for two weeks reading

We didn't have very good weather when I went when pregnant with DS2 so I didn't find the heat a problem. I was in fact cross the weather was so crap!

I imagine this year as we are going in June it may be more of a problem.
We're only going for a long weekend and we'll probably be mainly caught up in 'wedding stuff' so fingers crossed I'll be ok!
I'd say a floppy hat, loose clothes and being near the pool or sea at all times during the heat of the day. And lots, and lots of (bottled) water!

I actually have no idea where nearest hospital is despite having been to same are for 20 odd years.

Must check. For what it's worth, I was taken quite poorly last year there and the taverna we were in called the local doctor who arrived very quickly and spoke very good English. There was a 90 Euros call out charge but we got that back with our insurance.

With my first I went to Greece at 13 weeks it was very hot but keeping topped up with drinks, wearing hats and sitting down when tired meant I survied!, I went to lanzarote with my second at 21 weeks and was pretty much the same just didnt over do it, this time with my 3rd I'll be 32 weeks but we are going back to lanzarote I have been there 4 times before so know it like the back of my hand, I know where to eat etc and plan it to be as relaxing as possible with a 1 and 5 year old! The only thing I worry about is the flight but if my backs hurting I'd rather it be hurting going on a holiday than just sat at home I suppose! :)

oh yeah, forgot about the heat bit... I quite like a bit of heat too, but late August in the south of France is hot, so I did find the drive down a bit sweaty. At one point I filled our cool box up with ice cubes at a service station and sat in the car with my feet in icey water :o

When it was at it's hottest during the day I used to stand chest deep in the swimming pool and read leaning against the edge of the pool (couldn't possibly have got on to a lilo :o)

Polly I can't imagine a healthcare professional in any country in the EU providing different standard of care to a foreigner (especially one with health insurance) and I doubt very very very much you'd end up delivering your baby yourself at the hospital gates because they wouldn't make a bed available for you.

I've just returned from a week away at almost 30 weeks (almost 6 hour flight). Airline did ask for medical certificate on return. Was a budget airline and I was really quite uncomfortable. I didn't enjoy myself very much, felt heavy and tired for most of the time, even the beach was disappointing which I usually love, just wanted the comfort of my room -- terrible, but that was moany old me! Definitely get travel insurance, I got a really good deal before I left.
Good luck -- hope you have fun if you do go away :)

We are planning a trip to Florida when I'm 29 weeks, returning at 32/34 weeks depending on how long we decide to go for. It's my first trip to Florida and I'm really looking forward to it, I've never been to Disneyworld!

I went to Spain at 28 weeks this pregnancy and 34 weeks last pregnancy - no problems either time. Also went to Italy at 24 weeks last pregnancy and France/Spain at 12 weeks both times.

But I would advise getting a letter from DR/midwife if you are abuot 24 weeks on as the airlines can eb a bit funny - if tehy think you look big!

I also went to Mexico in first pregnancy at around 16 weeks and had a great time, tho did have a bit of scare with some bleeding while there and had to go to local clinic to get checked out. I paid for them to do a scan and then saw my GP when I got home, but was worth paying for scan so I could enjoy the rest of holiday.

I think travelling when pregnant is fine - just don't aim to be too active if you're getting towards the end. And don't go long haul if you're in third trimester.

By the time you get closer to the holiday you should be able to establish your dates better with an ultrasound and you will need some sort of certification. I second the pregnancy-related insurance advice.

Heat, food and medical care problems sounds a bit to me. Greece isn't in the third world yet.

Your midwife is a lemon. Second trimester is a great time to travel, and as long as you take precautions about not getting overheated and eating carefully, you will be fine.

I am pretty hardcore and have gone camping (in a tent, not an RV) around 30 weeks when pregnant 2 times! We will do the same this year plus I am also talking my Doctor around to agreeing we can make a trip back to the UK around 33-35 weeks.

I don't know why your midwife is worrying you, perhaps she doesn't like travelling in general. I'm going to greece in may when i'll be 30 weeks, for 2 weeks. I can't wait for a rest and will be nice to spend a holiday with just dd before there are 4 of us! And even if things did happen - they have babies in greece too! Ignore your midwife on this one and enjoy the break!

I live in Egypt and have been on a trip to a local beach resort on the Red Sea at 10 weeks, england at 16 weeks and bedtime week at 30 weeks will be going to a different beach resort on the Red Sea. This one is more touristy so will have lots of drs facilities ( I hope).
At 36 weeks I will fly back to England to have the baby. I would not worry and just go and have a great time!

Thank you for all the replys. I've never been part of any forums before and it's been lovely to be able to read everyones advice, experiences and opinions and it's been great for putting my mind at ease.

I went for a scan last night and not as far along as we thought so will only be 22 weeks when we go so feeling much more confident about it.

I'm going to Lamzarote this summer. I will be 31 weeks flying out and 33 weeks coming back. Flying with Ryanair and will need a Drs note but they let you fly till 36 weeks. It's in EU, have checked travel insurance who said 'we don't discriminate against pregnancy' (RBS Royalties insurance), hospital is 30 mins away, Dc1 was 10 days overdue so all in all I think its ok to go if Dr signs it off. Also we will have our own villa so can prepare our own food. Reckon 2 weeks relaxing in warmth better for baby than 2 weeks stressed out at work (which is what I would otherwise be doing!)

I say go for it.

I went away up to about 7 Months with DD. including a quite remote Italian holiday in the middle of nowhere. Honestly can't see why not. I may have to cancel a gays and girls trip to Ibiza this time round by only because they won't let me on the plane at 8 months. I would make sure you know where the nearest hospital is and still go personally. Unless your pregnancy becomes high risk that is.

Headfairy I didn't really think they would leave me have the baby at the hospital gates . I'm more worried about whether a complication like an emergency caesarean or a baby needing special care might result in a massive bill.

I don't think you need have the same concerns as me though Plunkett. I wouldn't hesitate if I was less than 32 weeks.

We are also going to Greece- well Santorini- at the end of May when i will be 20 weeks. My midwife told us to go and have a great time and make the most of our last child-free holiday! I think your midwife is being unecessarily cautious.

Do you have other conditions / risk factors. Greece can be hot which usually means living on salads - this could raise the food poisoning / listeria risk to unacceptable levels if you are already at risk of a preterm birth.

I got married in Cyprus in June when I was 22 weeks pregnant it was extremely hot but I kept in shade and had loads of sunscreen on etc. Went for 2 weeks and just made sure I took my maternity notes.

I live in a holiday country (Malaysia!) and am having 2 weeks holiday back in the UK when I'm 24-26 weeks. I'm looking forward to the cool weather tbh! The only part I'm dreading is the flight, it's 13 hours and I have SPD so it's going to suck.

We've got insurance that covers pregnancy and I know where the nearest hospitals are when we're in the UK - that's the only considerations I've made really. Oh and I'll bring my maternity notes (not that there's really anything in them).