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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 at 27 weeks - choice of Maldives or Ibiza

27 replies

BristolRabbit · 14/09/2007 21:47

Hi Ladies,
I wanted some advice. DH has just come home tonight with two holiday options for a last hurrah before our first baby is born in Feb!!!
The dates of the holidays are both 11th Nov, when I will be 27 weeks (returning at 28 weeks).

So do I choose:
a) Maldives - 8 days, 10 hour flight
b) Ibiza 7 days - 2.5 hour flight
c) any other place?

As this my first pregnancy, I dont know how I will be feeling at 27 weeks - and what size I will be! Also - worried that a long flight and being on remote island is not such a great idea - but it does sound more glamourous than Ibiza.

Any advice would be appreciated!

OP posts:

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lojomojo · 14/09/2007 22:08

I wouldn't, but then I had my baby at 27 weeks, on the very day we were supposed to go on holiday. But thats me.
I think I would go for Ibiza, if only because you (sorry this sounds awful) know that the hospitals in Ibiza will be tip top.
Have a lovely holiday and best wishes for the future.

Lizzylou · 14/09/2007 22:10

I went to Barbados when I was 17weeks, and I am bloody glad I did, as it has been In-Laws caravan all the way ever since!
Check about whether you are OK to fly that far first (at that stage in your pregnancy) but I would go for the Maldives personally!

Alfie72 · 14/09/2007 22:40

Tough call. Both are beautifulplaces, I think personally I would do Ibiza because it's closer by.
I did france on the eurostar at 28 weeks, that was not at all stressful.
you can fly without a drs note up to 28 weeks I think.
Depends on the airline too whether they would be happy to take you on a long haul, you may want to check that out before you book !!
I went on a long haul from Australia when I was 5 weeks pregnant and struggled with morning sickness and the dry air con.
It really depends how big your bump I guess, whether you can sit in a seat for that long.
Also- you won't be able to enjoy too sunbathing like you may normally enjoy cos the baby is already sitting in temps of 37 degrees inside the bump so you don't want to cook your LO !!
Plus your skin is highly sensitive in the sun when you're pregnant.
Have a ball whatever you decide...
Also make sure you get good insurance cover and take your maternity notes with you !!

Original poster

BristolRabbit · 15/09/2007 10:10

Thanks for all your helpful advice and insight. My gut feel says the Maldives is just too remote - not only the 10 hour flight - but the lack of hospitals, and being in the middle of nowhere etc. I think I would worry before I got there about things going wrong and you dont need that on your last big holiday do you!?

Also - Alfie72, I hadnt thought about the temperature side of things - of course you are quite right - I wont be able to stay in the sun too long. Perhaps save the Maldives for a cheeky 2nd Honeymoon with DH when kids are old enough to leave with the grandparents?!

So - that leaves Ibiza from DH choices - although lizzylou I am looking at some Caribbean options now as well as Barbados does appeal! - also because they will have hospitals/medical facilities more readily available?

Thanks again for your advice! Going to try to get something booked up this weekend! x

OP posts:

Hulababy · 15/09/2007 10:15

What will the temperatures be?

I ask this as I went to the Carribean in early pregnancy and the heat was unbelieveable difficult to deal with. I was feeling very sick at the time anyway, and the heat mad eit unbearable. I spent the fortnight wanting to be back at home.

geordiemacminx · 15/09/2007 10:16

Could be pretty cold in ibiza in November... how about some where in canaries or egypt? OR......BRAIN WAVE....... DUBAI!!!!!!! Nice and warm, plenty to do inside and out, loads of shopping opportunities, fantastic hotels....Think its only 5 hours flight??

phdlife · 15/09/2007 10:17

heh, we went to Iceland when I was 27 weeks!

nappyaddict · 15/09/2007 10:18

if it another spanish island say like tenerife i'd say there but i don't much like ibiza.

or what about italy or a greek island. kos and crete are lovely.

nappyaddict · 15/09/2007 10:19

oooooh i've always wanted to go to dubai.

Isababel · 15/09/2007 10:23

I did a longhaul flight being 20 weeks pregnant, it was HIGHLY uncomfortable, particularly to those sitting around me!

However, although I have neve been in Maldives I wonder if I would be more comfortable with the idea of a more quiet holiday rather than the image that Ibiza brings to me.

Isababel · 15/09/2007 10:25

Oh, is it in November, then should be fine, the temperatures won't be that bad, particularly if you are not Spanish (I have seen many tourist getting sunbathed and in the beach while Spanish are doning their gloves and scarves )

Original poster

BristolRabbit · 15/09/2007 10:29

What didnt you like about Ibiza nappyaddict? I have heard it is quite a beautiful island out of the main tourist/clubbing areas. Also it will be off peak so there wont be loads of pissed people everywhere (in theory!)

I hear what you are saying about the temp geordiemacminx, but I have read that it is around 15-20 degrees and when sun shines can zoom up to 25 quite easily. I guess I am thinking it wont be a sun bathing holiday anyway!

Been to Dubai and Egypt-so wanted to try somewhere new - and also I always get ill in Egypt, so thought best avoided!

Im confused now! I think I will do more looking at the caribbean... best of both - sunshine and not too remote. Definitely need to take advantage of DH's generous offer of a babymoon while it is still on the table!

OP posts:

nappyaddict · 15/09/2007 10:32

we went the 2nd week of september last year. it was really busy, full of lager louts and felt like i might aswell have gone to blackpool.

geordiemacminx · 15/09/2007 10:34

i think ibiza\ is lovely, and if you get a week of 20 deg then it will be grand... if you get a week of 15deg and rain then it could be pretty miserable...not a huge amount to do? How about Malta? There are some fab spa hotels?

ess · 15/09/2007 12:01

Hi, you can fly up to 36 weeks with a doctors certificate but if you're in economy a 10 hour flight wouldnt be comfortable(im cabin crew). I've been to the Maldives and its wonderful but many of the islands are only reachable by speedboat/seaplane which don't operate at night. The islands only have a very limited medical centre too. I think Europe would be a safer/more comfortable option. Also, if you get form E111 from post office before you go you will be entitled to free medical treatment while youre there too.

Scampynoodle · 15/09/2007 17:02

If it's any help I've been to the Maldives a few times and for a stress-free break before the babe arrives it's unbeatable. And all that lovely swimming with the fish in bath-warm waters will do you wonders!

The only prob, though, is that the flight there is so long and flying long distances while pregnant can be exhausting. I'm posting this from the US where I'm staying with family for a break and the six hour flight here with all the requisite fannying about at either end absolutely flattened me (I'm 22 weeks). I never knew that travelling while up the spout was so exhausting! I had many moments of wobbliness and all the hanging about was a killer even though I was well prepared with drinks and grub and home comforts. Saying that, I got to the front of most queues by sticking out my tum and tugging on the sleeves of anyone in a uniform. Milk your pregnancy for all it's worth, however fab you feel.

If you are feeling stout and are up for it, though, go for it. And be prepared to be asked questions about how far gone you are at every stopping point in the airport. It took me ages to realise that all the people asking me about my pregnancy weren't really taking a personal interest in my state, they just wanted to make sure I wasn't going to go into labour as we hurtled across the Atlantic.

ELB1 · 16/09/2007 08:45

I went to Dubai at 27 weeks last month (first pg so didn't know what to expect either but thought sod it - the weather here's been crap and it beats a tent in Cornwall when it's wet which was our first plan). It was fab - 7 hour flight was fine - but we did get an upgrade! Hot weather was lovely and bub loved it when I went swimming.
Felt great - you'll be fine. Go wherever you want to and don't worry.

positive · 16/09/2007 16:31

hi bristolrabbit

just a quick note on barbados. was there at the end of nov last year (wasnt preg) it is the end of their spring in the caribbean rained nearly everyday but it was mostly a quick downpour and over. the humidity was terrible though. average temp about 24c.
I personally wouldn't go back if I was pregnant due to the humidity.
I would stick with europe, shorter flights! or how about cyprus??
would suggest you upgrade your flights if you can afford it at least you'd have more room and should be more comfortable

no matter where you pick have a great time and relax

sabinar · 16/09/2007 22:33

just wanted to add that everyone's experience is different - I've been doing a lot of flying since I've been pregnant - most recently London to Sydney and back again at about 23 weeks, and it was fine. Jetlag was pretty harsh, but the flights weren't any problem at all - I have swapped my usual window seat for an aisle these days tho'.

Not sure how I'll do when I get to 27 weeks tho - I'm not quite there yet!

NKd1167739100921 · 17/09/2007 14:51

Would probably go for Ibiza for the reasons previously given. Also, when pregnant with my first we went to Spain at 25 weeks but I couldn't sit in the sun as I got red rashes so at least there were lots of other things to do whereas the Maldives it's just beaches as far as I know. I read recently that you shouldn't sunbathe for more than 1/2 hour when pregnant (don't know if that's true) but I sat in the shade all the time as the sun didn't agree with me. Have a lovely holiday wherever you decide to go!

PestoMonster · 17/09/2007 14:56

I went to Durban, South Africa at 24-26 weeks and the flight, although long (11 + 1/2 hours) was fine due to no time difference. It was hot (being end Jan beginning of Feb), but manageable as we stayed with an auntie who had a pool and our favourite beaches were a drive away. Being pg didn't affect me tbh, just had to squeeze into slightly bigger cozzies.

LilRedWG · 17/09/2007 14:58

Maldives are beautiful, but you could be as much as eight hours away from the nearest hospital, so check that you are close to Male (where the hospital is) if you do go there.

hoxtonchick · 17/09/2007 15:15

i haven't been to the maldives but have been to ibiza & the caribbean (not whilst pregnant though). it is a loooooooonng flight to the caribbean (8+ hours i think, we went to antigua) which i wouldn't fancy at 27 weeks. ibiza is gorgeous, you just need to avoid san antonio like the plague.

nappyaddict · 17/09/2007 18:49

i would say you are best going somewhere with a small time difference.

tiredemma · 17/09/2007 18:54

I love Ibiza- but not in novemeber.Too cold!

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