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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Holiday in Egypt - 5 months pregnant

30 replies

Sandrine1982 · 27/02/2019 11:14

Hi there. We are planning our Easter hols right now and we would really love to go to Egypt (Hurghada). We have been working so hard and really need a break somewhere hot and sunny. My main concern is the food safety in Egypt. I don't want to get any vaccinations right now as I'm 13 weeks pregnant, at time of travel I will be 21 weeks. We are planning to stay in an all-inclusive resort with 9/10 quality reviews.
Of course I will be very careful with water and everything I eat, but I'm still not sure. Has anyone been to Egypt recently? Anyone pregnant? Has anyone had any issues? Your advice would be much appreciated. XXX

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

ooonicorn · 27/02/2019 11:20

I went years ago, not pregnant at the time. I just wanted to say, I was fine while in the hotel but after going out for the day (handling money I think?) I was ill that night. I think the germs or whatever causes a bad tummy isn't food/water/ice but maybe on the cash?! I could be wrong but that's what I though it was. Just something to keep in mind

Fairenuff · 27/02/2019 11:33

I went in November last year. Was very careful with food & drinks and didn't have any problems.

Original poster

Sandrine1982 · 27/02/2019 11:33

Thanks @ooonicorn that's very useful to know. :-)

OP posts:

Original poster

Sandrine1982 · 27/02/2019 11:34

Thanks @Fairenuff - that's great. Were you pregnant then?

OP posts:

physicskate · 27/02/2019 11:42

I was super super careful. No fresh fruit or veggies and still got ill. No I've, etc. I thought I was dying. It was the worst d&v ive ever had (and I had rotavirus some years before that). This was a few years ago and I wasn't pregnant.

The only thing I could think that made me ill was the Red Sea? Maybe I swallowed a bit.

And not all vaccinations are bad during pregnancy - don't forget to get your whooping cough sorted!!!

Hefzi · 27/02/2019 11:51

You really should have Hep A and also typhoid, OP - I've been vaccinated against Hep A for over 30 years, but still got it: probably from a bottled drink (the outside)

(I have also had typhoid, again despite years of vaccination - you definitely don't want that either, but I didn't get it in Egypt )

Supersoaker10 · 27/02/2019 12:01

I went a few years ago with H and 2 DS's (actually to the hotel that was all over the press last year) and none of us had any issues at all. We ate in the hotel every day apart from 1 day when we went out on a boat trip and they provided food on the trip.

SurgeHopper · 27/02/2019 12:07

Yeah, I'd go elsewhere.

Fairenuff · 27/02/2019 12:08

No I wasn't pregnant and I did have all the recommended vaccinations. Tbh I don't think I would go there if I was 5 months pregnant. It's just not worth the risk. Either put the holiday on hold until your baby is old enough to go or just go somewhere else with less risk.

Were you planning on staying in the resort the whole time? Because if so, you might as well be anywhere in the world where it is warm and sunny.

Nixee2231 · 27/02/2019 12:10

I usually have an irom stomach and can eat anywhere without being sick but in egypt i was violently ill and it was very difficult, especially on the plane. I can’t imagine how horrible it would have been if I had been pregnant.

pinkgloves · 27/02/2019 12:17

I've spent a lot of time in Egypt. Over 10 trips. I've been very ill on a few of them, no way I would risk it.

TwinkleTits70 · 27/02/2019 12:36

I wouldn't risk it tbh. There are plenty of other warm sunny places to go where you would be at less risk.

Rememberallball · 27/02/2019 12:56

If you want sun at Eastertime I’d be more likely to head to Madeira or the Canary Islands as you can pretty much guarantee sunshine and heat but have fewer risks of food poisoning. Even consider Malta or Cyprus as within a few hours flight and some lovely all inclusive resorts available!!

Keyboard91 · 27/02/2019 16:55

I wasn’t pregnant when I went. But I followed all the advice - bottled water, no ice, no fruit I couldn’t peel etc, I’m vegetarian too so no meat and I don’t eat fish and I still got ill. I wonder if it was from the money or taxi or something as ate all our meals on the boat (cruised the Nile). Was ill for 2 weeks when I got back, top and bottom, and became lactose intolerant and IBS as a result. Was beautiful though! I plan to go back one day because I really loved it there, but I wouldn’t go whilst pregnant, personally xx

blueyellowgreen · 27/02/2019 17:04

I definitely wouldn't. You'd be much better off going to the united arab emirates.

Adviceplease1234 · 27/02/2019 17:50

No way would I risk it. There’s plenty of other places to do.

If you fancy a lovely all inclusive look at the Ikos resorts. They are so nice and clean.

Witchofzog · 27/02/2019 17:58

No way would I risk it. The chances of becoming ill are relatively high and it will be miserable. I went a few years ago and felt ill most of the week including diarrhoea just before our transfer back to the airport.

As others have said, during Easter you will have lots of other options. The Canaries, Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, Malta to name but a few

Anothertempusername · 27/02/2019 18:00

I wouldn't risk it either; having been three times and violently ill every time, it's just not worth it. And I do really like it there - it just seems to have a very very very high food poisoning risk!!

RosiePosies · 27/02/2019 18:14

I wasn't pregnant, but went to a super hotel in Egypt. Everything was great APART from the awful tummy I got. I'd go again but definitely not pregnant.

RosiePosies · 27/02/2019 18:16

I would highly suggest North Tenerife OP - it's so chilled out and beautiful x

KingIrving · 27/02/2019 19:30

If you want a red sea holiday which will be a lot warmer than the Canary islands, what about Eilat in Israel?
Both hygiene and medical system would be of the highest standards.

Hefzi · 27/02/2019 20:01

That's a great suggestion, actually, King- all the warm with water you can drink right from the tap.

Foodie68 · 27/02/2019 20:22

I’m going to Egypt in 3 weeks and will be 19 weeks pregnant. I was meant to be going skiing but had to cancel the trip as I was worried about falling. To be honest I think if you are careful what you eat it should he fine. I’m planning to bring hand sanitiser with me to use regularly throughout the day. In reality you could get food poisoning anywhere, even here in the U.K.

chipsandpeas · 27/02/2019 20:36

if your going to egypt best advice i would give is to avoid accidently taking in water when in the shower
first time i went to egypt i followed all the advice and still got a dodgy stomach, then everytime i went after that i really watched the water when i was in the shower and never got ill again
may have just been a coincidence tho

pinkgloves · 27/02/2019 20:39

@Foodie68 I've been sick SO many times in Egypt. I honestly couldn't have been more careful.

Several times it was staying at 5 star hotels too.

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