Anyone been, going on, or planning overseas holiday whilst pregnant?

[supersupersupershock]

We are considering a little break to Tenerife when I will be 18 weeks. Last holiday before baby arrives. Just wondered if anyone had any tips/advice?

I'm flying back to the UK to visit my family in a few weeks. I'm in the USA. I'll be 19 weeks. The doctor here said no problems with that flight, prescribed me some flight stockings and said drink lots of water and book an aisle seat so can get up often. Hopefully all will be fine!

I went to Barcelona at about 27 weeks, according to the airline I needed a note from the midwife for the flight back as I would be over 28 weeks but nobody asked for it. I took my notes.

It was great, had to miss out on a few of the nice tapas I wanted to eat, but Barcelona is awsome. It was June, but the heat wasn't too much of a problem for me. We used to always walk miles on holidays but instead we got passes for the underground system, which very nice and clean, and people always gave up their seats, which I'm told doesn't happen in London.

We stayed in a lovely air-conditioned apartment, which was probably better than a hotel as it was nice to chill out there in the evenings after going out for a meal, seeing as we couldn't afford to hang around in bars till late and I didn't fancy staying out late. I ate lots of magnums and we played cards a lot.

Also there are loads of good non-alcoholic beers available in Barcelona, in every bar and all the shops. I wish you could get that choice back here.

I went away twice when I was pg with DS. Both times to Spain, once for a week by the pool and another for 5 days away before he was born. It would have been around the latest I could fly. I didn't think twice about it tbh.

I was living in Spain when I was pg with DD and probably cooked her in the sun. She hates being hot so I often wonder, though other people think that should mean she likes heat.

I went to Ibiza at 11 weeks it was bliss wish I could go again

I just stayed in the shade quite a bit to avoid getting over heated

We went on a cruise when I was 19 weeks.

I'd just got over my hyperemesis and had my appetite back. It was all you can eat and it was glorious!

Was obviously careful about what I ate (hygiene/cooked wise) and took all my pregnancy notes so far and cleared it with travel insurance. Enjoy!

I went to California from the uk when I was 6mths pregnant (can't remember exactly what weeks but it was my return date was a week less than the maximum time the airline lets you fly it swim). The holiday was planned before I knew I was pregnant. It was fine but I had a very straightforward pregnancy. I figured I was better off flying longer and being somewhere with a good medical system /safe food and drink etc than any of the alternatives we found at the same time of year.

The flight was a little uncomfortable but we paid for extra leg room which helped. I had my Drs note but no one asked to see it.
I had a great holiday and am glad I made the effort to go as I won't be doing a similar holiday for a while now!

Most insurance automatically covers pregnancy and you don't have to declare it as it is not a "medical condition" but the costs that would be covered in the event of needing medical care did seem to vary. Read a few t&c before you purchase.

I would definitely agree with zebras regarding insurance. You may be covered but there might be a limit on the total, or you might not be covered for non straight forward delivery, or might not cover anything for your baby if its needed. It's rare but extended hospital stays can get very expensive.

Having a holiday before baby arrives is lovely but hospital care can be bloody expensive and lengthy. I would confirm in writing what is and isn't covered. It was at this point I found out I was covered for a straight forward labour, but no intervention and limited care for a new born.