Babymoon

[hcoe21]

Hi there

I am thinking of booking a holiday away before we have our first baby in September. I feel like we should make the most of the time left with just the two of us and want to go somewhere relaxing but with a bit of excitement. Am considering Bangkok 2nts and Hua Hin 7nts...its a 12 hour flight but think I sit at my desk 8 hours a day - so it shouldn't be too bad. Does anyone have any advice if this is a good or bad idea? Has anyone had a similar babymoon - would love to know how it went!

It's not a bad idea, definitely make the most of the time you have together before baby arrives.

I never flew whilst pregnant, however I'm pretty sure that before you book your tickets you should check with your airline and insurance company that they will allow you to travel whilst pregnant. A lot of it depends on how far along you'll be when you plan to fly.

I would speak to your midwife/doctor before hand too.

How far along will you be when you are thinking of travelling?

I'm planning on going long haul during this pregnancy too and would second checking with airline and travel insurance.
I checked I've already had all my vaccinations for where I'm going so don't need any in pregnancy and don't need anti-malarials. My mw told me to get compression stockings (nice romantic trip then) , get up and walk around every hour and drink lots on the flight. She also made a point that all the standard hygiene and heat issues are much more important. The medical care is pretty god where I'm going but you might like to consider how close you are to good facilities just in case.

Im going to do this as a suprise if i can as we just want to get away from leicester for a few days >.< wheni get my tax rebate im going to book down the east coast. The only thing im struggling to think of is we have a kitten and hes so used to us and his routine that i dont want to move him to a shelter for a few days. My mum n dad have his brother and their dog aswell and he goes out for a few hours a day, where as my mums doesnt and he would drive them up the wall meowing cus he cant go out as its different area :( i might ask my bro if he wunt mind staying here look after him x

We spent 4 nights in Cheltenham and Warwick when I was 26 weeks. I'm so glad we did it then cos now I'm 31 weeks and can hardly stand or walk (SPD & trapped nerve). Didn't spend more than 1 hr in car at a time as even then needed ltd of moving around breaks...

I flew to New York when I was 6 months and tbh it was really uncomfortable. But it was worth it as we had a lovely trip. I think you can travel freely up to 28 or 30 weeks, then you need a letter saying you're for to travel. Most airlines don't allow you to travel from 37 weeks. You als

Also need specific travel

Insurance.
Sorry for multiple posts. Stupid phone!!

We had a holiday in Borneo/Bankok and Phuket when I was 25 weeks pregnant, it was fabulous...... Compression socks are a must as was the beach massage in Phuket :). I also made sure that I was covered under insurance and that I had a fit to fly letter from my gp, airline did ask to see one. It was hot but I just drank lots of water and stayed out of the sun in the middle of the day. Excursions were great, we did a large canoeing excursion (had head guide for safety :)) we also went to turtle island overnight, and Sumatra for the orangutans, that was dreadfully humid but the tourist shop did allow me to sit down in front of the air con unit. Basically my pregnancy did not stop us doing anything, and everywhere we went we were very well looked after!

Not as glam but we went to Tenerife when I was 20 weeks. 4 hour flight, I wore flight socks and also paid a bit extra for business class/club world seats (well worth it if you can stretch the budget!)

Usually on holiday I can lay in the sun all day but being pregnant I got very hot and bothered very quickly and also out of breath of we walked too far /too fast/lots of steps etc. So I would echo what the above posts say about keeping in the shade and drinking lots of water.

Enjoy! :-)

YY to all points, you will need a fit to fly cert and to check the terms of your insurance (and inform them
of your pregnancy). I would avoid very remote destinations just in case you need a hospital.

God that's a long way to go. How far along will you be.

Tbh I liked being close to home for the final weeks but am risk averse and wanted to be near hospital!

I am sure you will be fine.

Btw isn't a babymoon the time you spend with your baby after the birth?

go for it - it's the last chance you'll get for a relaxing holiday for years unless you're blessed with helpful family. I didn't do it as we decided to save the money, and now we spend enormous fortunes on villa with pool holidays which are just childcare in a slightly nicer location.

If you find it difficult to get travel insurance, maybe you could go somewhere in the UK? I think it would be wonderful to spend a week in a remote cottage in the Lake District, New Forest or highlands of Scotland.

I flew from Oz to the Uk and back again with a stop over in Singapore when I was pregnant and it was lovely. Think I was 26 weeks when we left and a day of so off 29 weeks when we got back.

Airline would only carry me up to 29weeks, and I had a letter from my OB confirming my date etc. I did have to produce this for both ground staff and crew.

During the actual flight it's just all the usual stuff. Wear flight socks, drink plenty, walk about a lot.

I wasn't any more uncomfortable on a plane than I was at my desk.

Most insurance only covers you up to 24 weeks and you have to buy the ludicrously expensive policy to cover you past that.

Suppose I'd just consider hospital facilities and how far along you'd be. Bangkok would be fine but would other places be okay?

I went to Thailand at 22 weeks, came back at 24. The flight out was fine - if anything I felt slightly better at the end as I would usually have a few wines on a long haul flight and this time I was on the soft drinks! Beware the suppressed immune system of pregnancy though! I caught a cold on an internal flight during the holiday and the long haul flight home was torture. The dry air conditioned air and not being able to take anything for the cold made for a very unpleasant few hours.

Most airlines will tell you on their website how many weeks you need to be under to fly, and I second the recommendation for compression stockings. Other than that, go for it!

I'm babymooning right now - and loving it!

Things to consider:

-pick the right stage. I'm bang in the middle of 2nd trimester and feeling pretty good, great even. I wouldn't have enjoyed it during 1st trimester morning sickness phase. Not everyone has a 'glowing' 2nd tri but definitely seems like the best chance. I expect give another month or so and I'll be feeling more uncomfortable.
-if pregnancy brings out the worrier in you, bear it in mind when picking a destination. I'm normally fairly adventurous and laid-back, but I've been panicking that the 15 minutes sunbathing I did boiled the baby, the street food I ate will give me listeriosis, the nearest hospital might not be any good...etc etc.

-definitely research insurance (read the small print!), airline travel restrictions etc but until late 2nd tri you should generally be fine to travel. Check insurance for cancellation rules as well if you're booking ahead - just in case of unexpected complications. I had ovarian cysts diagnosed in early pregnancy and have informed our insurer (I have to pay a small premium) to ensure I'm covered in the event these were to cause any complications.

-you might want a different kind of holiday to normal - I'm usually all for a active, packed itinerary but I've been really enjoying doing nothing more taxing than reading a book and wondering what restaurant to choose for dinner.

Nothing really useful to add, but isnt it rainy season around then? That would influence my decision most!

Babymoons are the best! Definitely do it. It's like a second honeymoon :)
We went to New York at around 20weeks which was the perfect time to go.
Enjoy!

Thanks so much for all your advice. Have booked it now and really looking forward to it. As it's a town by the sea we are good for medical care. It's not too remote, and am hoping the thought of it will get me through this sickness period! I'll let you all know how it goes x

any recommendations for the UK? Looking for 2 nights (just entered my 3rd tri)...

moomin what kind of break do you want? Personally I'd go for a city and do all of those things that are more difficult with a baby - theatre, naice restaurants. I feel that you can enjoy a rural / coastal break just as much with a baby. Also depends how far you're willing to travel?

We are going to the lakes for 2 nights, I will be 34 weeks so didn't want to head too far (the lakes are 40mins from home!)

Depends what you are after.

I enjoyed a trip to the Isle of Wight just entering my third trimester. Went to nice restaurant, lay in, ate chips on the beach. It was out of season so hardly anyone there. It was fab.

Or, as already said, a city break somewhere in the UK.