Going on holiday at 32 weeks pregnant??

[SergeantAngua2016]

I'm in my first pregnancy so a bit clueless about these things! My lovely mum in law booked a special family holiday this year a while ago, and we've since found out I'm pregnant. I will be 32 weeks pregnant for the holiday! I really, really want to go, as it's a special holiday with all the family, and the last holiday my other half and I will get before baby comes along. The other catch - it's on a yacht off the coast of Turkey. What do people think? Will I be able to go or is it too much of a risk? I know I will have to get a letter from GP/midwife. My pregnancy is classed as low risk, but obviously have never been 32 weeks pregnanct so have no idea what it will be like! Would really appreciate some advice from those who know.

[fluffypenguinbelly]

I actually think there is a big difference between 27 weeks and 32 weeks.

[CityMole]

"I actually think there is a big difference between 27 weeks and 32 weeks."

Nobody suggested for a second that there wasn't, and I totally agree that any experiences given by reference to a date that is 5 weeks away will be, by definition, five weeks out! And I say this with 50% confiedence and 50% trepidation, as I am running a 10k at 32+5, which is five weeks away- I'll see how I am on the day, but I can't see me having a complete physical volte face and personality change in the space of five weeks.. ...never say never though!

Obviously the OP has to judge based on the real risks as she sees them, and then be willing to adapt that if things look riskier as the time approaches.

[Impatientwino]

I'm 34 weeks with dc2 and sleeping in a potentially confined space on a yacht in a hot country is right up there with gouging my eyes out with a rusty spoon on the list of things I do not want to do right now!

Such a shame to miss such a fab holiday but I do think you will be very uncomfortable if you go! I have no idea about the travel cutoff etc but I'd be very nervous myself about travelling that far that late and just wouldn't do it. Is there anyway you can reschedule?

[alliemarg]

Agree with Artandco - it's so nice having a pre-baby holiday - I went to NYC, Florida and Italy during my two pregnancies, twice in the second trimester and once 28-30 weeks (with two different insurance policies and the numbers of the nearest health clinics!). All was fine and it was super to relax and get away. Maybe cancel this one and save up for a nice little break for the last holiday as a two-some!

[Paperblank]

I'm in the "No" camp....

I've been on a gulet cruise twice and the best way I can describe them is camping at sea (fully aware that there are considerably better appointed gulets than the one we've been on) They are good fun, very relaxing and you get to see some fab out of the way places - I'd do it again and again and again

BUT...

The cabins can be cramped, hot and noisy, you might be able to sleep on deck but you're not likely to get much rest that way.

It gets really hot in the day and although there are shady areas the heat can be stifling.

You might struggle to get in and out of the sea - the ladders can be rickety.

You are probably going to be quite some distance from a hospital (numerous hours...)

At 32 weeks pregnant I've struggled to sleep, had growth scans, midwife appts, felt grouchy etc etc and I've been luck to have had an easy pregnancy.

You don't know what your pregnancy will bring so I'd err on the side of caution and decline.

[Jenijena]

I'm 32 weeks, and feel better than this point in my last pregnancy (when I had a long weekend in Europe). I'm also thinking of a long weekend away within an hour or two of home when I'm about 36 weeks. But I'd be nervous about being too far cut off from things if anything went wrong. And mentally, I'm just about coping totally in denial with the idea of having a baby, getting the house ready, dealing with work etc, and I'm not sure than preparing for a holiday would be something my brain could deal with.

[VegasIsBest]

Another one who wouldn't contemplate this. Far too far from home if the baby arrived early.

[Dixiechick17]

One thing to consider is what would the care be like if you went into premature labour over there? do they have adequate neonatal facilities? what are the hospitals like? every country and area is different.

My cousin went into early stages of labour in morocco at 32 weeks, she was lucky in that it was a slow labour and she managed to make it back to the UK. She had thought initially it was a water infection, she landed back in the Uk in the morning and had had the baby by the evening. This was three months ago, her DS is doing great, but I wouldn't be off abroad at that stage.

[FlightofFancy]

I wouldn't, and I'm usually pretty happy with risk. I went to France last summer at around 32 weeks and didn't really have a great time. Despite a simple pregnancy (my 2nd) I was low level worried about the 'what ifs' all the time. I was uncomfortable sitting and sleeping and needed the loo every 5 minutes it seemed. This was somewhere I spoke the language. Insurance was a nightmare as well.

[PatriciaHolm]

Inlaws have a yacht and we go every year. There is no way I would have wanted to be climbing down the galley stairs, or getting into the showers/toilets, or really even climbing on and off it! Sorry, I'm normally all Gung Ho for these things and I had very easy pregnancies, but I'd be sitting this one out.

[TriJo]

I'm 33 weeks now - I'd fly to Ireland if I absolutely had to, take a break within the UK 2-3 hours away by train... but the thought of going further afield really isn't appealing.

[Artioo2]

In case it helps your decision, I just looked this up, and the percentage of babies born at 32 weeks is 0.51%. By 35 weeks you statistically have a 3% chance of having the baby that week.

[3luckystars]

No effing way. Not for all the money in the world. Never ever ever.

It would be all my worst nightmares together. Staying on a boat, flying 4hours twice in a week, stuck in a tight space with inlaws, pregnant and not in my own bed and worst of all, in boiling Turkey!!!!

No.way.

[Glastokitty]

Got to agree with everyone else. I love Turkey, and have always wanted to go on a gulet, but at 32 weeks no way, not for a million quid. I went to Paris at 27 weeks, and getting out of my seat on the plane home I felt my pelvis twinge. That was the start of many horrible months of SPD, by 32 weeks I was still able to walk but then I started blacking out, which was the start of HELLP syndrome and I was signed off work and needed daily monitoring at hospital for the rest of my pregnancy. So a boat in Turkey would have been out of the question, even though I was perfectly healthy until 28 weeks. And even if I had been healthy, the heat and an uncomfortable bed in a confined space, nope, nope, nope!

[EasterRobin]

Oh my goodness, that sounds hideous at 32 weeks pregnant. Another "no" vote here.

[MangosteenSoda]

I went to The Maldives at 31 weeks. At the time, I didn't think much of it and enjoyed the trip - people live and have babies there right? When flying back to the main island in the seaplane it occurred to me that I would have been in a bit of bother if I'd gone into labour over night or in poor weather when seaplanes couldn't fly. I'd say it was a poor choice of destination and I was a bit of an idiot.

In your case, I'd be worried about sea sickness. I'd also want to know the route of the cruise - how close to port at all times? And adequate insurance.

[SaltySeaBird]

I'm 32 weeks now, high risk so a bit different maybe but no way would I consider it.

I've been on a yacht in Turkey, it was lovely - it wouldn't be lovely right now.

A friend recently with a low risk pregnancy had her at 29 weeks. Getting insurance would be a nightmare. Flying wouldn't be the best idea (I wanted to take a flight this week and the consultant said I'd need steroid and clotting injections before flying and talked me out of it).

Plenty of other chances to go on holiday!

[minijoeyjojo]

I went away to France at 35-36 weeks pregnant. It was for a good friends wedding and I had a fab time. However even I'd draw the line at yachting in Turkey! It'd be so hot, you'll get swollen feet/hands. Sleeping is tricky enough when that pregnant that you'd find sleeping in presumably small cabin beds a nightmare. Plus if anything did happen, you'd be on a yacht! I'd at least want to be nearish to a hospital.

I'd say go for a holiday, but don't go on this particular holiday!

[PurpleCrazyHorse]

Be absolutely sure if you go anywhere that you have insurance that covers your baby if it's born early.

I'd be a no too. My waters broke with DD at 37 weeks and as labour hadn't started I was booked for an induction. I was low risk but I'm sure my waters started leaking around 32/33 weeks (first pregnancy so wasn't sure what to expect!). It was reassuring to be able to speak to and see my midwife.

I don't think I'd be happy with the medical facilities in Turkey, nor to be floating out at sea, at 32 weeks. Is there even a mobile signal off shore (or working sat phone on the boat?)

[toffeeboffin]

There is no way I'd be going on holiday, to Turkey, on a yacht at 32 weeks pregnant. Are you insane?!

It'll be baking hot.
You'll be huge and uncomfortable.
Turkey? Not the safest place.
A yacht? Not the safest place.

FWIW I had a 'normal' pregnancy, that is up until I went into labour, then they realised he was breech and I needed an EMCS! Wouldn't fancy that on a yacht in Turkey.

Not worth it, OP.

[toffeeboffin]

Sitting still, in a tiny, tiny airplane seat is hard at the best of times. At 32 weeks?

No fucking way. At 20 weeks you'd be pushing it.

I wouldn't fly unless it was a life or death situation. Stay home and nest.

[Luckygirlcharlie]

Noooo waaaaay! I wouldn't venture more than half an hour from my consultant after 32 wks! Just in case. Also heartburn, fatigue, shortness of breath, return of sickness due to limited stomach space, difficulty sleeping, difficulty walking. I'd definitely not go on and live on a boat. I have a friend who came on hols with me around then with her 3rd tho and was fine albeit a bit braxton hicksy which put us both on edge!

[applecatchers36]

A long weekend in Europe? yes possibly if you are generally feeling well and have good insurance. It's nice to get away and have a weekend with your OH before the baby arrives.
A yacht in Turkey for a week? not on your nelly.

[ladymildred]

We are going away to Iceland for the week (in Feb half term) when I'm 32 weeks. It was booked before I knew I was pregnant. The airline don't need any medical note until 36 weeks (although I will get one anyway) and insurance is all fine. As I'm not due to give birth while there it would be an unexpected problem so all covered in their eyes. I'm looking forward to relaxing for the week although I have had a fairly easy pregnancy so far and not massive or particularly uncomfortable. Just gutted I'm not supposed to go in the spas etc...
I'm not overly looking forward to the travelling (hanging around/queuing etc) but it was an expensive holiday so cancelling would be a big loss!