Flying to Malaysia while 10 weeks pregnant.

[MotherofZ]

Hi All,,
I feel really nervous about to going to Malaysia (Langkawi and Kuala Lumpur) as I will be 10 weeks pregnant at the time of travel.

Am really nervous about going - has anyone else been in a similar situation (i.e long haul while early in the pregnancy - although I have a 18 month DD comming with me and if they have been to Malasyia or somewhere similar while pregnant - were you ok).

I'd like to hear about other people's experiences - I've scared myself silly reading up on travelling while pregnant etc and midwife has told not very supportive - told me it's my decision what I do.
Thanks,

Ive just got back from Barbados and was 21 weeks when I flew out. I was nervous enough about that so I know where you are coming from. I think it depends on lots of factors, what you will be doing there/how long you are going for etc. Your MW needs to be more supportive so im sorry about that. Is your GP any better? How long is the flight? (Im guessing about 10 hours?) You are safe to fly (obviously they say try only to fly in 2nd trimester) but still I don't think you are at any real risk of danger to baby otherwise pregnant people would be advised not to fly at all. Some people get scared about flying when pregnant but this is not always rational, the baby is very well protected inside you and I think the only danger is an increased risk of DVT so walk loads, drink 2 litres of water and wear flight socks. While you are out there remember that you will be more sensitive in the sun so cover up and don't aim to get a great tan. I did tan but also burnt on the first day which I don't think I normally would have.

Obviously all of the above is common sense and stuff im sure you are already thinking about. If you find yourself becoming overly worried then cancel, the worry may not be worth it. It's a tough descision but like I say, it depends on what you will be doing whil there. If you think it will be a break for you and relaxing, then go for it. I trust you are not throwing up all the time?! If this is the case then I would say stay at home!!!

Thanks for your words of wisdom, much appreciated. We are going to a 4* resort in Langkawi and spending time on the beach and then hustle and bustle of KL city (shopping of course!)

Were you ok when you went to Barbados? I've read so much about catching various things from food that I am considering taking a supply of pot noddles or becoming vegatrian...?

i went to malaysia when pg with ds. i was about 23 wks at the time. we went to kl, penang and langkawi. western peninsular malaysia is developed with pretty good medical facilities. i was fine. do you have any specific questions?

i think your main problem will be keeping your dd amused on the flights! also the sickness...

Bossykate - were you ok healthwise when you went to Langkawi? Did you need/use any insect repellent in Langkawi? Have you got any other advice being early pregnant and going all the way out there?

I've read about all health and safety advice to Malaysia and it is pretty daunting and that's what's making me scared.

Many thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was 14 weeks pregnant with DS when I went to Cuba (10hr flight). I bled heavily in early pregnancy with him so probably shouldn't have gone but everything was fine. Had a scan before I went and when I got back. Food wasn't up to much though, so had to be careful.

Then when I was 10 weeks pregnant with DD, we went to New York (7 hrs), and again everything was fine - the biggest problem this time was morning sickness. I agree with BossyKate, was more worried about occupying DS who was 23 months at the time, but he was great and had nothing to worry about.

Well I sort of did the opposite!

Lived in Vietnam and had IVF in Bangkok. The day after positive test (with a high risk pg and on hormonal support!) I flew to Bulgaria with my DH for a "Look-see" as were were moving there!

Doc just said that while it wasn't ideal, if I was sensible it should be ok. DS is now nearly 6 so it worked out OK!

Have been to Malaysia too although was very used to Asia at the time. 4-star resorts/hotels usually fine.

I would prob avoid hotel buffets and street food but other than that you should be fine.

Buy some natural insect repellent before you go - Boots prob will have some.

western peninsular malaysia, including islands of the western coast, is low risk afaik, e.g. there is no malaria risk.

have a look here

ps remember a lot of the health advice concerning "malaysia" will include borneo which is high risk. make sure you specifically ask/check western peninsular malaysia (islands such as langkawi w/be included in that risk assessment iirc).

tbh i think your issues would be around travelling at all anywhere in early pg. i know i wouldn't have enjoyed any holiday much at 10wks pg.

Used to live in Asia and travelled back to UK during both pregnancies at different times from 8 weeks to 6 months. My advice would be to make sure you get up and walk during the flight and that you take your own water and drink lots. I was 10 weeks pregnant when I spent my honeymoon in Thailand and have been to Malaysia whilst pregnant as well. I agree with Budababe to avoid street food and would also avoid ice, ice cream & salads at the hotel buffet. Make sure that you drink enough water as the humidity can be pretty fierce and you do need to drink a LOT of water to make sure that you don't dehydrate. Also mosquitos can be pretty nasty so make sure that you get advice about what you can use and make sure you slather it all over you and your daughter. Also whilst you are there you can buy patches which I would recommend sticking to your daughter's pram and cot as these really do seem to keep mossies away.

oh and you should consider your dd's vaccination status.

MotherofZ- I've been to Malaysia and Langkawi a few times- in fact conceived in Langkawi last Nov after TTC for 18 months so am very positive about the place! No malaria but you will need some sort of insect repellent- i guess go for a natural one. I got bitten a bit (but no worse than in Italy a couple of weeks ago)but if you're in a nice hotel they will spray everywhere anyway. Malaysia is all pretty civilised really bar some really jungly bits and you won't be going there. Fab food, v cheap and healthcare would be good, should you need it. Shopping in KL is great too. I have quite a few friends from there and they all flew back and forth a fair bit in all stages of pregnancy and with tiny babies too. Enjoy- fab place!

I traveled to Budapest when 9 weeks pregnant and Barbados at 12 weeks. To be honest didn't really think anything of it at the time, just avoided the rum! Ds now 9 months and healthy (did develop severe pre-eclampsia but don't think that was anything to do with long haul flight...). Had some morning sickness so wore those wrist band things, may have just been psychological but seemed to work. I would be far more worried about keeping an 18month old happy for 12 hours on a plane!

Spent a lot of time in KL as a teenager, my parents used to live there. Check vaccination status as you certainly used to need HepA - this is transmitted like food poisoning so worth having the jab. The people I knew there were more concerned about dengue fever than any other health prob, which is transmitted by mossies, so keep the insect repellent on. Don't panic though - think it's pretty rare and they do a lot of fogging in KL and round the holiday resorts to keep the mossies at bay. It's a great place, have a fantastic time.

Motherofz - I had excatly the same question last week. I'm only 7wks pregnant and have a flight to canada next week. I just didn't know what to do. So many people have had really positive experiences and it all sounds ok. I've decided that having had an ectopic a few months ago I didn't want to take any risks this time, so I have decided not to go. Yes be careful of the food, I have been there twice and have been bed ridden both times with dodgy belly

Hi MotherofZ

I think your questions have been pretty much answered here, but just wanted to tell you. I went to Langkawi and penang at 10weekspg

Nothing to worry about at all, I had a brilliant time, absolutely divine place to visit. Not like thailand, bali or other asian countiries at all, very friendly, safe and clean almost first world status, or will be by about 2010 i think.

Can't remember any mosquitos, you can drink tap water, although just to be safe i drank bottled, but friends drank it and no problems.

I enjoyed the massages, shopping and food, just steer clear of buffets and street food, and seafood, although I think fish is fine.

I agree most more serious health matters/diseases is related to Borneo.

You'll have a ball, just take lots of sunscreen. The food is lovely especially in the resorts i stayed at the Sheraton, would be a shame to eat noddles

PS think your midwife is jealous and or not very experienced in travel.

Although I'm jealous too, would love to be going with you!

thank you all for your wonderful advice!!! Makes me feel less nervous now! CHEERS!

Talking about natural insecet repellent - been to Boots and Asda and the tell me they don't stock any. Do you know what I can use? I've ordered through Avon thier 'Skin So Soft' range which contains Citronella Oil which is suppose to help repel insect (although they are actually shower products). Do you think that is ok? Is there anything else that I can use?

I've used one called Mosiguard natural which I'm sure was from Boots- if not, safariquip sell it on line. I'm not sure if it's 100% natural but is ok for kids etc- if you rang them they could probably tell you.
Enjoy- am v jealous. Waiting until this unborn baby is old enough to go back to Langkawi!

www.mosi-guard.com/

on the question bit (if the link works) there is one about pregnancy

I flew to Singapore last Dec - a week after finding out I was pregnant. Stayed for 3 weeks and flew back to London so was week 4 -7 of pregnancy. All went well.

i was in thailand when i discovered i was pregnant the first time - so had flown out there when i was aout 3 weeks pg (I knew it was a possibility but as had only just started trying didn't really think I would be). I probably ate all sorts of dodgy stuff and drank quite a lot too. Then I flew back to the UK and finally on to Jamaica where I was living at the time, all before I was 10 weeks. No problems at all - in fact that pregnancy was a lot easier than this one where I have been living peacefully in England for the whole time but felt rough as hell for the first 12 weeks!!

ps I love mosiguard and used it during my last pregnancy - it smells divine

I flew to Japan at 7 weeks with DS1. My Obstetrician prescribed a very low dose of aspirin to thin my blood a little against blood clots DVT and encouraged me to move about during the flight. We got by fine.

Later in the pregnancy I did one return trip Sydney to Dusseldorf at 3 months and then one way trip Sydney Dusseldorf at 5 months and shortly thereafter developed early contractions, was hospitalised for 3 weeks and given steroid injections for DS1's lungs and subsequently hung in there to 35 weeks - but was otherwise a perfectly healthy baby and a good size for being premmie.

My mum blames all the flying but my obstetrician blamed the stress of moving countries etc. With DS2 I took fairly large doses of magnesium to hold off any contractions and went to term - didn't fly once and was living back in OZ - who can say what caused what? I hope that hasn't confused things?

cheers about the mosi-guard - will be off to the shopping centre this lunch time in seacrh for it