Zika and Long Haul in the 2nd Trimester

[FlapJackered]

Looking for some opinions/advice.

I have just found out I am pregnant. It has been a long road to get here including a miscarriage a year ago at 8 weeks, so I am maybe over thinking this and being overly neurotic...

My DH and I have been invited to a wedding in the Dominican Republic in June. It would only be for 4/5 days. It is one of his best friends so he will definitely be going.
I am just not sure for the following reasons whether I should go or not?

• It is a low risk Zika zone, so no recent cases but still the possibility is there.
• It is a long flight, lots of travelling.
• I worry if something goes wrong with the pregnancy what the medical care etc will be like out there.

What would you do in this situation? Thanks!

How far along will you be? The flight length wouldn't worry me, as long as you are under 28 weeks with most airlines you are fine to fly and it's really up to you whether you think you could cope. A nice holiday at the other end would be enough for me! I don't know much about the Zika risk as I'm not planning to travel long haul (due to funds) but I wouldn't go if there was any Zika risk no matter how low.

I’d go. It’s not a zika risk, it’s not that long and you won’t be massively pregnant.

Congratulations!
How many weeks will you be at time of travel?
Personally, I wouldn't go abroad after viability (24 weeks) as don't think anything could be worse than delivering v v prematurely overseas and being stuck in a neonatal unit for weeks/months ( but that's probably the paranoid doctor in me!)
I'm currently 35 weeks and last was overseas at 23 weeks (NYC) - flight 7 hours there which was ok, just need to remember to wear TED stockings, drink loads, sit in aisle near a loo etc. Also may need to consider speaking to midwife to see if you need any heparin injections to prevent blood clots depending on your risk profile (past history, age, bmi etc)

No I wouldn't go. The chance is low but the consequence is life changing for all of you. I'm another one who would t travel abroad long haul after viability. Giving birth prematurely can mean being stranded for months

Thanks for your replies, sorry I should have mentioned I will be 19 weeks at that point.
The flight would be 14hrs I think, plus travelling either side.
I just can't seem to make a decision and I need to let the groom know if I am going or not. 🤦‍♀️

At 19 weeks I certainly wouldn't rule it out. I don't have enough knowledge on Zika risk so would base decision solely on that.
FWIW I felt really great at 19 weeks - still do to a certain extent.
If you do decide to go just make sure you're very careful about being proactive in preventing blood clots etc.
Good luck whatever you decide!

I travel a lot for work, including long haul. Just did my last trip to California at 26/27 weeks. I was meant to be doing another long haul this month, however have now cancelled due to tiredness and comfort going long haul! I think you’ll be fine at 19 weeks (I also travelled long haul at this stage) and if there is no foreign office warning against zika then it wouldn’t overly concern me.

apparently zika is present in sperm so if your dh goes it's also a risk of transmitting to you

FWIW I travelled when I was 24 weeks pregnant to Bali at the height of zika fever in the news and was fine

Oh my goodness @FlapJackered I remember you from the conception boards - huge congratulations on your BFP!
I can’t comment on Zika as I don’t know nearly enough about it but all I would say is this early on you just don’t know how you’ll feel - I felt great at 19 weeks, but am also expecting twins so had so many appts and scans around that time. Although I’m sure they could have been rearranged! My sister at that stage was hospitalised with HG. I would honestly say go with your gut - and perhaps have a quick chat with the midwife/GP about it? Friends who have travelled whilst pregnant have all double and triple checked their travel insurance policies too! I can’t comment though - the furthest I ventured was the Lake District!

Congrats again and wishing you the best, most straightforward of pregnancy :)

It’s actually carried by mosquitos! It’s not just transmitted by speed. Mosquitos are the main cause/ I’m in the same situation with work pushing me to go to Costa Rica when I’m 22 weeks in April. I’ve not told them yet but so far I’m leaning towards not going. I just got back from LA and found it tough and I’m only in my first trimester. Speak to your midwife first. X

Sperm *

www.bloomberg.com/amp/news/articles/2018-11-01/does-the-caribbean-still-have-zika-virus-who-cdc-travel-warning#aoh=15805870140370&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&amp_tf=From%20%251%24s

Very very low risk of zika. I would go.

@MrsEG so so good to hear from you!!! How are you?! How many weeks are you now? Has the pregnancy been ok so far with double the trouble?
On one hand I am loathe to make the decision not to go because it's so early on and after my mc I just don't want to plan things around this pregnancy. 😬 Tricky one!

@happychange I had completely forgotten about that! 🤦‍♀️

Thanks @ChicaXS @scottishginlover @LikeTheFruit that is good to know.

@DartmoorChef thanks for that, definitely food for thought.

Well yeah I know it's carried by mosquitoes, I'm just saying that there is still a risk of op getting infected if her DH goes to the wedding, and gets bitten by a mozzie there. So if her DH is going anyway, she might as well go too.

Very very low risk isn't no risk though. We are advised not to have unpasteurised dairy because of listeriosis which is very very low risk and most people follow that advice to the letter

It stays in system/sperm for around 81 days (that’s if he catches it.)

I do think it’s low risk but to the OP I think you’ll feel the perils of travelling just being quite far along. It’s uncomfortable but do what’s best for you and speak to your midwife.

I am just back from New Zealand (26+ hours travelling and three flights each way). I was 24 weeks when I flew out and almost 27 weeks coming back. I'm not going to lie, the travel was tiring, but I think that would have been the case even if I hadn't been pregnant. Once there, we had an absolutely amazing time. We planned a very chilled itinerary with plenty of time to rest and it was a very special holiday - I felt this incredible bond with my husband and with the baby. I would definitely recommend it. Get proper compression socks, drink plenty of water and move around lots on the flight and you'll be fine.