Pregnant with first baby - do we go on holiday?

[Natasha1810]

We’ve had a holiday booked for ages to Turkey due to fly end of September. Back in May I found out I was pregnant and I just thought it would get cancelled due to Covid. Things seem ok in Turkey and looks like to holiday will go ahead.
Unsure what to do as we can’t change the dates now and if we don’t go we lose a lot of money.
Has anyone travelled recently whilst pregnant and what are people’s thoughts? No idea what to do

I’m 35 weeks pregnant now and I went to Majorca at 28 weeks and had a really nice time!

I went to visit family down south during the heat wave when I was 31 weeks and struggled so much with the heat as we were being active and out and about.

So I think Majorca was fine because I was in an all inclusive resort just eating and chilling, I felt safe in terms of Covid as they are super strict on all buffet and drinks hygiene etc! But yeah when I was a bit further along and more active I did feel more tired and wouldn’t have liked to feel like that in a foreign country.

So if you’re just chilling, you can keep your distance from people, don’t worry about meal times as the hotel/restaurants would have strict guidelines in place I imagine, you can keep yourselves to yourselves and have a nice relaxing break without worrying about Covid!

Just check you're insured. A lot of companies won't cover corona and pregnancy combo

Thank you. Nice to hear from people who have travelled as when I tell people about the holiday everyone says they wouldn’t travel.

It’s the flight I was more nervous about as I feel being in a resort is no different to going to the supermarket or out for dinner which we’ve been doing. This has made me feel more relaxed about it so thank you

We’ve got annual with our bank so need to check that. If it doesn’t cover do you know any providers who are?

Make sure you are insured and also don't forget about foods you can or can't eat. For example eggs are fine in the UK but not necessarily elsewhere. Ditto pasteurised dairy, you can find that many products are made from raw milk.

Personally I wouldn’t travel as I’m not comfortable with that level of risk, I took a self catering break in the U.K. It’s your choice though to assess whether you are. The decision could also be taken out your hands as the rate things are changing Turkey could be added anytime.

If you decided not to go would your travel company let you defer the holiday for a year?

Pre covid I flew with work to USA at 14 weeks and Ireland around 23 weeks, no issues. Walked up and down as much as possible, lots of water. Aisle seat for easy loo access! You should be fine up until 30ish weeks but check your travel insurance.

With covid, my understanding is that you're more at risk if you contract it further along in your pregnancy. But it's how stressed out you'd feel by the whole experience, and if you feel it's worth it.

They are asking us to pay an additional £900 to change dates till next year and we’ve already paid £2450 for it. If we didn’t go we would lose so much money and can’t justify paying more for it.

I had booked the trip in January pre covid and used coverwise travel insurance and they did cover Covid related illness and pregnancy. You could take a look whether if you take out insurance with them at this stage whether they would cover it.

Our flight was only half full and we kept masks on for the full flight, I didn’t feel it was any different than say travelling on a train for 3 hours in the UK.

In Majorca I would say at that stage they were managing Covid and hygiene/germ standards better than we were at the same stage back in July when I went away. I know we are further down the line now so it may be slightly different.

I went because I had no refund options, the holiday cost £2000 and I was given a choice to change the date which would have cost an extra £950 which is money I simply didn’t have to lose. We felt the the loss of money and the fact Majorca as an Island at that stage in time had far lower Covid cases than our local area, talking 5% of the amount! Therefore we didn’t feel anymore at risk being away and felt less at risk! :)

I have medical professional friends in Turkey who say the government are massively under reporting cases of Covid. I would be cautious.

I wouldn’t go due to Turkey’s incredibly dodgy track record with human rights and refugees more than anything.

@Natasha1810 afraid not I just know it's a issue from watching this morning 🤣🤦🏻‍♀️

What did they say on this morning?

Thank you for this it’s really helpful. We are the same boat with no refund and the cost to move it so feel tired to it. We’ve been on trains to London that have been busy and we felt ok on those. Will see what the advice is nearer the time too as things could change

@Natasha1810 just in loop hole in insurances with corona and someone pregnant called in. Hard to get covered and you'd defo want cover

I've flown and felt safe. Everyone has masks throughout (unless eating), we got wipes for the seats and hand sanitizer and everyone kept distance in the airport.

Sounds like you've made up your mind though, try not to worry and enjoy your holiday!

It wouldn’t be for me, pregnant or not. I feel it would be too risky in the airport, on the flight, getting to your destination on the other side. It’s a lot of money but I’d take the hit personally.

Personally I wouldn’t risk it on the flight. We’re doing uk hols but harder for you if you’ve already booked.

I'm 22 weeks & all being well (if we're allowed) will be going abroad by plane in October at 29 weeks.
Personally I think as long as you're sensible & take necessary hygiene precautions why not!
I need a break & don't fancy paying ridiculous money for a holiday with guaranteed rain in Uk 😂

@violetclouds doesn't it just cost a fortune to go away in this country? We paid the same for a caravan in Cornwall for two weeks as we had paid for a two week holiday in Majorca that got cancelled. Added on the costs of days out, it's absolutely ridiculous.

@supersonicginandtonic I know, it really pains me to spend it here!! I know the UK has some lovely places to visit & see but I just want to lay round a pool or beach & feel a bit of heat in my skin!

We are travelling there next week. My mum has just returned from Turkey as have some friends the week before. All said the measures taken regarding safety were highly, this was mainly in Bodrum/Istanbul so not sure about other places. Yes there is a risk that the number of cases are massively underreported, but unless you are mixing in busy cities/sightseeing etc it might not be a huge issue. We are going all inclusive, the resort has only positive reviews in regards to staff wearing masks/cleaning etc so I feel safe knowing they are on top of it.

People ‘feeling safe’ is irrelevant, no one is safe, no one knows how Covid will affect people long term since it’s a new virus, wiping the plane arm rests won’t kill the virus, seeing poverty wage labourers wearing a mask in your line of vision won’t keep you safe. As long as you’re happy to accept every action you’d be taking is a massive risk to you and the foetus, and everyone else you come into contact with. So-airport, transport, accommodation, filthy pool, being indoors around others, shops etc, another flight and airport= enormously risky for you and the foetus, every minute. Plenty of people don’t give a shit.

@GarlicMcAtackney wow! And some people think, if people don't take risks (minimal), and go on holidays etc. Then all those workers will end up unemployed. Then the risks are much bigger.

Even medical staff are saying, unless you have underlying health issues, pregnant women are no more at risk of the virus than the general population.

I went abroad in August and it was absolutely fine. No issues on the flight. It was full but everyone was very respectful and it felt cleaner than normal. We travelled around to a few different places but always felt safe (safer than in the U.K. anyway!). We were in Croatia and it went onto the quarantine list a week after we came back which we thought was mad as it felt a lot better than here. Totally up to your perception of risk. We were in the same situation - the holiday was going ahead so we would have lost our money if we cancelled. I’m glad we went. Everyone will have different opinions