Holidays at 26w

[amroc18]

Hi,

DP and I are trying to decide whether to have a holiday when i'm at 26w. It was an unexpected pregnancy and we've not been on holiday yet before, and think it's going to be a long time til we get another chance.

Wondered if anyone has done a holiday at this stage and how it felt flying/being away from home etc. We were thinking Carribean but that may be too uncomfortable to fly that far and otherwise Canaries?

Any advice/suggestions appreciated :-)

Go for it, but not long haul- 3 hours plane.
Southern Europe - Italy, Portugal etc.

Sorry meant to say 3 hours plane maximum :)

Here's the Royal College of Obstetricians guidance on it, hope it helps.

RCOG

I went to Dubai at 26 weeks, flying home at 28. 7.5 hour flight, easier than expected and I had the added bonus of travelling with my crazy 2 year old.

I was asked for my fit to fly letter on the way back. As I was under the airlines guideline of 29 weeks I technically did not need to ask my midwife to sign one, but I just knew I'd be asked for it, so you may want to be prepared. I'd heard stories of my airline forcing people to be checked by the airport doctor before being allowed to fly, therefore missing their original flight. Not an option with a toddler!

Thanks everyone :-)

Awwwww super jealous go for it and enjoy every second.

We went away at 26 weeks to Turkey (which was awesome). It's a really good time to go. I could have coped with a longer flight than the 4 hrs I think, but I think it depends on the individual. Have a lovely time.

I'm flying at 31 weeks- just 2.5 hours to Malaga. hope there wont be an issue, i thought it was fine up to 32 weeks. I'll need a letter though obviously, but i have no concerns about it personally.

We did 18hr flight to Bali at about 22w and it was fine. Wear good flight socks (I got the stocking ones on prescription), walk around alot and keep hydrated. When your there just keep cool and don't eat anything you think could make you ill. Make the most of it while you can

Exatly as above posters have said, go and enjoy!

When choosing where to go you may want to be a little bit more fussy than normal regarding your hotel/destination. The Carribbean is very laid back and i would be a bit cautious about what you eat and drink (avoiding buffets and ice in drinks and opting for bottled water whenever possible etc). I dont think you would put baby in any harm but your immune system is lowered and there would be nothing worse than being unwell while away.

When I was 30w pregnant with DS1 we did a long-haul trip. It was fine. I needed to get my doctor to sign a form saying I was fit to travel though and I did have sciatica by then, but I was low risk and healthy and it wasn't really an issue.

If I was to advise someone else on travelling when pregnant I'd say go somewhere with a comfortable climate, not to long-haul, and with decent, local medical facilities. And take your maternity notes with you. You shouldn't need any of the medical stuff, but if, god forbid, you do you'll be very glad you chose somewhere that has first world facilities.

That's a very good point juneau and it was one of the reasons we were happy going to spain. My mother was very sick out there a few yrs ago (also in the same place as we are going) and the medical care she got was second to none. When i told her we were going she said ''with a bit of luck you'll go into labour over there'' lol

I went to Ibiza at 30 weeks last year and will be going to Tenerife on Tuesday at 23 weeks this time. Totally fine. Got bumped up to priority boarding/seating last time too as it was before easyjet started giving out seat numbers and the staff took pity on me in the queue with 100's of drunken party people!

Swelling of ankles was my only issue (though I'm prone to that anyway). Just wore my flight socks and elevated my legs after the flight.