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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Backpacking 8-14 weeks pregnant

29 replies

Harryhart · 07/12/2013 17:08

I'm due to travel around Central America in January and February and just discovered I am 4 weeks pregnant.

Freaking out at the dreadful timing.

Any tips or experience from anyone?

Terrified I'm going to just feel horrendous the entire time. Plus health of baby etc!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

SweetPea86 · 07/12/2013 17:14

I think health of baby will be fine make sure you have right injections if needed any were to travel. Make sure you have top travel insurance.

All the back packing will be good exercise for a healthy bump.

My only concern is if you get struck down with awful sickness which I did. I didn't go any were for 3 months other than work. It was pretty grim.

Other than feeling tired in first trimester and if you don't get bad sickness I think you will be fine. Best thing to do is talk to your GP or midwfie about any concerns. If all seems fine go for it.

Chance of a life time and once you have your bundle of joy back packing will be a no no.

Congraulations and I hope you have a awesome time :)

BonzaBonxa · 07/12/2013 17:24

Not meaning to sound negative but I did get struck down with full blown Salomella poisoning somewhere around south of Mexico and ended up in hospital in Guatemala on a drip........

Please be really, really careful what you eat. I think it was chicken I ate in the jungle that caused my illness. I was young and naive at the time.

BonzaBonxa · 07/12/2013 17:25

Sorry that should say Salmonella

TweenageAngst · 07/12/2013 17:27

Are you going to malaria areas?

Bakingtins · 07/12/2013 17:30

I'm hesitant to reply because I don't want to rain on your parade, but in that window you should be booking in, having dating scan and NT screening/bloods for trisomys. First trimester is fairly high risk for miscarriage (15% of pregnancies) which is uppermost in my mind because I've had 4 so admittedly I probably overestimate the risk. Can't think of anything worse than pregnancy complications somewhere in the middle of nowhere and I can't speak the language well. I've been lucky and not suffered with morning all day sickness, but at 14 weeks I am still bone- achingly, earth shatteringly exhausted and I could no more carry a heavy pack than fly to the moon.
In my first pregnancy we did our "last big trip" for a while anyway to South Africa when I was about 16-18 weeks and felt a bit better. Any chance it can be postponed a bit? Of course you may feel fabulous and sail through it, but difficult to predict.

BonzaBonxa · 07/12/2013 17:31

Should also add that other than my illness I had an amazing trip and loved that part of the world

kelda · 07/12/2013 17:31

Ds and I got really ill in Central and South America, despite being careful. We didn't end up in hospital but we did need antibiotics.

You really should stay in the best hotels you can afford. Do loads of research regarding hosptial care in the area you are visiting. See your GP for vaccinations/anti mosquito advice.

I wouldn't go into the jugle or anywhere that is more then a couple of hours away from hospital care.

I was in the jungle with someone who dislocated his shoulder and he had to wait a day before he could be transported out, and that would have been another day so two days before he got hosptial treatment.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 07/12/2013 17:32

You need to check what jabs you need, as some vaccinations cannot be given to pregnant women.

You may also feel utterly knackered all the time.

Other than that you are pregnant, not ill.

kelda · 07/12/2013 17:33

I was also in a minor car accident in Central America. Of course car accidents can happen anywhere but they are more likely to happen in some countries then others.

lljkk · 07/12/2013 17:43

I couldn't have done it with my morning sickness. A few days quite active here and there but not lots & lots of trekking. Have you already bought travel insurance?

eurochick · 07/12/2013 17:46

What will you do about vaccinations and antimalarials?

I'd be concerned as mentioned upthread about missing booking in and first scan.

Travel insurance could cost a packet to get cover that will cover any maternity-related issues.

SaucyJack · 07/12/2013 18:30

My tip:

Get your money back and go to Centerparcs instead........

Suzietwo · 07/12/2013 18:31

I'd go and see how it went. It's unlikely to impact on your chances of a miscarriage and if you feel rough then find somewhere to lie low for a few weeks. I've travelled around the area 3 times without anti malarial or injections if that's bothering you, but your Dr can advise.

My biggest worry would be fucking hating my partner if I was travelling w him. Early pregnancy does tend to make you slightly tetchy...ahem.

TondelayoSchwarzkopf · 07/12/2013 20:11

I would postpone it til Trimester 2 to be honest for all the reasons above and without wanting to be negative you've a pretty high risk of MC in the first 12 weeks and you never know how that plays out. Will your insurance cover you? Hospital care is first world standard in most cities but the rural areas of Nicaragua etc...not so sure.

(FWIW I've never had food poisoning in Central America and I have eaten in some dives - Mexico IME has pretty high standards of food hygiene but the high altitude can make you poorly)

cupoftchai · 07/12/2013 20:17

Oh what dreadful timing for your trip! How would u feel if it turned into a very relaxed, gentle as possible version of itself? Think u need good relevant medical advice too.
How much of it is paid for? And r u going with partner?

cupoftchai · 07/12/2013 20:19

And i forgot to say, congratulations!

TondelayoSchwarzkopf · 07/12/2013 20:23

(Sorry, I don't know why I assumed Mexico)

Overall - i think your baby will undoubtedly be fine and the risks of anything going wrong are no more than if you were at home - but you are very likely to feel rank and exhausted and not up to climbing up pyramids with a rucksack and showering communally. You need to have your best energy and wits about you so I would move it back a couple of months (or when the baby is here)

Frizz1986 · 07/12/2013 21:02

I think the trip sounds amazing but you def need to weigh up some things.

I don't think going will make any difference to your pregnancy but your pregnancy may change the way you enjoy the trip.
People are right that you will most likely miss your booking appointment, scan and tests so that is something to think about and discuss with your midwife. Also you'll need to sort out insurance and vaccinations and make sure you are fully prepared in case something happens.

I went to Beijing at 8 weeks pregnant and although i really enjoyed myself i would have enjoyed it 10 times more had i not been pregnant. I didn't really suffer from vomiting, i just felt nauseous, but the flight was really hard and i struggled eating anything while i was there. I really missed out on being adventurous and mainly ate plain rice and fruit which is no fun when you see all the amazing street food that i couldn't bare to touch. I even had to order spag bol room service twice and had burger king at the airport before leaving as i had hardly eaten anything all trip.
I also felt ill on all the trips i went on and couldn't enjoy the sites as much as I wish I could have.
Whereas normally we would spend the day out and about, nip back to the hotel for a sit down then go back out to explore, we would return to the hotel at 3pm and i would sleep until 6-7pm as i was exhausted. We would then go out and hubby would try lots of food and have to deal with me not feeling like eating anything. I really felt like i spoilt the whole trip for the hubby (even though he says i didn't) but it def would have been better later on in pregnancy. Feel extra bad as it was our honeymoon!

EirikurNoromaour · 07/12/2013 21:18

Yeah I wouldn't do that!
Sickness, exhaustion, being over emotional. Plus additional risk of food poisoning from unfamiliar water and food. Plus random things like smelly vagina discharge and needing two baths a day (yes really). Fear of miscarriage in a random place with iffy healthcare. Will your health insurance cover pregnancy related care?
No, wouldn't do it.

kat0406 · 07/12/2013 22:24

Another thing to check is if your travel insurance covers travelling during pregnancy as you may not be covered if you do not declare it...

Miranda79 · 07/12/2013 23:26

I'm 11 weeks now and feeling great - I'm a little tired at the end of the day, but it's not stopping me doing anything. Talk to your GP/mw about jabs etc and if you feel ok, go for it! I wouldn't stress about booking apps - plenty of people don't realise they are pregnant until 10-12 weeks or later.

Be prepared to take it a little easy, and plan some nights throughout the trip in proper hotels rather than hostels - you'll appreciate a good bed and hot shower! If you are travelling with partner/friends, don't force yourself to do everything they want to - if you need a break send them off and just have some time out.

You won't be able to do this for another 18 years or so, so don't cancel unless you really have to!

Tea1Sugar · 08/12/2013 08:29

Wow sorry to sound so negative but there is no way I'd have done it even if paid mega bucks. I'm nearly 21 weeks now and only now do I feel human.

Writerwannabe83 · 08/12/2013 09:09

I think it's a big risk to take - not only because you will miss all the Booking In/Scans etc but because you may feel horrendous.

I spent weeks 8-11 crying on my bathroom floor in between having constant diarrhoea and vomiting. If you get hit by sickness you will feel like absolute shit I could barely get in and out of bed, let alone go backpacking!! I didn't start feeling 'normal' until I was about 16 weeks pregnant.

Are you able to cancel or delay it without too many financial implications?

sdaisy26 · 08/12/2013 14:03

I wouldn't have been able to do it - could barely get out of bed between 6-14 weeks pg and even now at 25 weeks am still sick / exhausted etc. But, lots of people are absolutely fine during first tri - you just don't know which you'll be in advance unfortunately.

MummyLuce · 08/12/2013 14:18

I'm the first person to say that too many (way too many) people seem to act a bit precious when they're pregnant. I rock climb, ski etc etc during pregnancy. However, I would probably postpone the trip by 6 weeks or so- firstly for the scan (butane you can sort something) but also because quite honestly you won't feel 100% and you it would be a shame not to make the most of such a fun trip! You want to be able to eat some of the unusual foo without feeling vom, stay up late to do things, and get up early to see sun rises without vomming into your backpack. I
On the other hand, going will take your mind of the horrid 1st trimester which is always good.
And don't listen to people who say this is your last chance... It's not. I'm
off back packing to India with my toddler and 6 month old next year. Can't wait. No boring centre parcs for us!

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