Nervous about holidaying abroad while pregnant - can anyone reassure me?

[RedL0rryYellowLolly]

I normally do quite a bit of travelling and am fairly confident. However being pregnant has turned me into a worry-wart!

We're planning on a holiday when I am around 25 weeks pregnant - want to go somewhere warm and relaxing for one last time so are thinking of either Dubai or somewhere like Gran Canaria.

I'm just worried about what happens if the baby comes that early. Appreciate it's a really big if , but I do know a couple of people who have gone into labour earlier than 30 weeks.

Can anyone reassure me? Have other people done similar holidays? Obviously I would make sure travel insurance covers the fact I am pregnant, but I am still worrying!

It's extremely unlikely that you'd go into labour anything like that early, but if you're somewhere with a modern health system and you have comprehensive insurance, you should be covered. Travelling certainly isn't going to make that MORE likely to happen, and even airlines, who vigorously dislike delivering babies in flight, are happy for you to fly up to about 36 weeks in most cases unless you're specifically at risk for premature labour.

I mean, you don't HAVE to go away if you really feel uncomfortable about it, but I had a holiday at 28 weeks in my first pregnancy and didn't worry at all. You will very, very, very likely be absolutely fine.

DH and I went to Turkey when I was around 5 and a half months or so. Hassle free pregnancy and trip. I took my pregnancy records with me just incase, but it was fine. We really enjoyed a relaxing break before DS1 arrived. I would say go for it, if your pregnancy has been straight forward, you may regret it if you don’t.

We were on holiday for three weeks in my first trimester and even though we had a scare, I'm still happy to go away again for our honeymoon when I'll be 22 weeks.

I'm happy because a) we have travel insurance, b) we have our EHICs and c) I checked out what hospitals/maternity services they have. We were looking at the Canary Islands and the two biggest islands (Gran Canaria and I think Tenerife) have pretty good services so we went for Gran Canaria.

I also feel like a shorter flight to the Canaries rather than South Africa/Middle East will be easier.

Also I have compression socks at the ready.

OP - can I ask, are you married to your OH?
because if you aren't, do not under any circumstances go to Dubai pregnant.

Apart form that, no reason why not. Check you have insurance that will cover you and the baby if the worst happens.

I went away at about 4.5 months pregnant to Italy and there were no real issues. I walked up Vesuvius just fine 😊. The biggest problem was having to stand in long hot queues at the airport which made me come over a bit peculiar. It never occurred to me to worry about her coming early and as it turned out that was fair enough as she had to be induced and then emcs at 40 + 11. Go for it but just think about how you'll feel if it gets really hot. Have a lovely holiday!

Why @steppemum?

Illegal to have sex outside of marriage in Dubai, prem birth would cause you likely to be arrested!!.
A woman who was raped there was arrested for such!

Because it’s illegal to give birth here in Dubai if you aren’t married. I had to show my attested marriage certificate before I was allowed to leave the hospital. I don’t know what the rules are though if you aren’t a resident, it might be a bit of a grey area?

Op I drove back from Spain @37 weeks. I took my hospital notes and had an uneventful holiday!!

Gosh yet another reason to avoid Dubai.

I did Berlin at about 28 weeks, slight concern the seatbelt wouldn't fit and I got frisked at the airport coming home haha but no other issues and we spent the entire holiday bloody walking around!!!
Jist check with your air travel if you need a fit to fly note

My only concern travelling was food. Food standards in different countries is different, plus food hygiene can vary. I used to work in restaurants and saw a thing or two... I opted for self catering and we cooked all our meals, which was maybe less relaxing, but at least I did not have to worry about unwashed hands and food poisoning.

Yes we are married - wouldn’t consider Dubai if not

The US was very good for food as they'll alter anything on the menu eg eggs well cooked, making cocktails virgin, steak well done.

I went on a road trip around Italy at 25-28 weeks and all was fine. I took my notes with me and checked that I had good travel insurance and ehic up to date etc. I'm hopefully going to the canaries at around 6 months this time if my blood pressure behaves itself. If you're having a straight forward pregnancy then the second tri is a lovely time to go away. And you'll be glad you did it when the baby is here!