Booking a holiday around 23 weeks

[TheDisreputableDog]

Thinking about booking a last holiday before the baby arrives and whilst we can still go in term time before DD starts school in September. However, I'm a bit anxious about if something happens and I need to some medical care. We have comprehensive travel insurance but still...

Has anyone been on holiday at a similar time, any thoughts, recommendations etc. Are there some destinations that would be better in terms of medical care?

I’ve just got back from a few relaxing days in Portugal (23 weeks 2 days). We left the toddler at home with doting grandparents and relaxed in the sun for a few days. It’s done us both the world of good and I feel revitalised. I took my notes with me, and checked before with my consultant and travel insurance. I would say short haul is probably all I’d want to do at this stage - I was pretty uncomfortable on the plane as I couldn’t stretch out. Hope you get away for a nice break!

We went on honeymoon to Gran Canaria when I was 22+3. I felt fine about it as we had travel insurance, our EHICs and of the Canary Islands GC (and I think Tenerife) has the best provision of hospitals and maternity care.

I'd say short haul, Europe and a decent size hospital nearby and you'll be fine.

The problem is that no one can tell you what kind of pregnancy you'll get (I know it's your second, but people say they're all different!). I just did a trip to US at 25 weeks - no problems at all (I didn't find flying any different to not being pregnant, apart from the constant weeing! and was happily walking miles around a city each day) but I was very lucky; I've seen lots of people say that a long-haul flight for them at the same stage would have been horrendous. I did make sure that my travel insurance was very watertight, as although US healthcare is good, obviously it is very expensive and I was worried just in case! I did also take my notes with me.

I think it's the best time to go to be honest! It's the time that you're likely to feel the best and most energetic. As others have said, get decent travel insurance and take your notes. I went to Rome at about 27 weeks and it was amazing! Walked round all the sites and ate loads of pizza and pasta.

I went away around the 23 week mark with DH and 3yo DD - to mainland Spain in April. It was fine, no more strenuous than a holiday with a young child usually is.

I'd say make sure you have EHICs, travel insurance sorted, take your notes in hand luggage, go short haul and not too hot. Check where local medical clinics/hospitals are. We also chose Spain because we speak enough Spanish between us to get by.

I had to go on a pretty intense work trip to Colombia around that point and honestly it was fine. I think I would have reconsidered being so far away from home if my pregnancy had been anything other than completely healthy, but I've been lucky.

Make sure you've got your travel insurance in place, your notes with you and very easily accessible and that, for peace of mind, you know where the nearest hospital is. Also, print off the key info for your insurance about claiming etc and stick it in the front of your pregnancy book, so if the worst happened you'd have all the essential info in one place.

Having gone long haul (on a multi-stop flight!) I can't say I'd recommend doing that because the travel part was pretty miserable for me, but short-haul within Europe would be fine I'm sure.

Wish I had the chance for a holiday before ours arrives! Enjoy it!

Thanks everyone, useful advice.

Might sound obvious but make sure you have travel insurance in place at the same time as booking the holiday in case anything happens in the meantime which means you can't go. That way you can claim back

Thanks, I have travel insurance through work, so that at least is sorted.

But does it cover being pregnant? They don't all.

I work for an insurer so I should hope so but will double check.

Yes insurers jobs are to make sure they don't have to pay out very often! Definitely check!

Fortunately I work for a good one, so long as I'm not travelling against medical advice or partaking in any activities that are not suitable for pregnant women, then covered as standard and no need to declare.

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