Holiday in pregnancy during Covid

[Vogue1992]

Hi,

My fiancé booked us a week trip to Dubai from 23 - 30 January. This was before finding out I was pregnant. The holiday has been paid in full, and has a cost a fairly substantial amount.

The flight time from Heathrow would be 6 hours and temperature in Dubai would be approx 24 degrees.

There is no way of getting a refund nor are we able to move the dates, the only other option would be to try and sell the holiday but before doing that I wondered if anyone had been on holiday whilst pregnant and during these unprecedented times?

I will be 17 weeks, NHS guidance is that providing there are no complications there is no reason you can’t fly but obviously things are a little different this year.

Please don’t attack on this post, I know we all have different views but I’m not looking to be told off not belittled and I’m wondering peoples thoughts / experiences.

Many thanks!

Going on holiday pregnant is fine. I went to Sweden at 27 wks and had a great time. Have travelled in all my pregnancies with no issue. Wouldn’t fancy hot hot weather but 24 sounds lovely and at 17 wks the plane trip wouldn’t be an issue.

Don’t know about travelling during covid. I wouldn’t / couldn’t as I couldn’t take the time off work / school for older kids to quarantine when we get back (even 5 days is an extra week annual leave). Also at 17 wks I still had horrific morning sickness. I’m currently 13 wks and can’t go on the bus as I get too sick especially with a mask. I don’t think I could face 2 hrs + in the airport plus 6 hrs on the plane + time at the other end all wearing a mask. But all of these are practical reasons so if you’ve thought through all these issues and still think you would enjoy the holiday then go for it.

I went to Cyprus in October when I was pregnant albeit I didn't find out until I returned but we've booked to go again in May before the baby comes. I felt really safe abroad and other than under 12s and staff every other person on the plane out there had had a covid test before travelling as that was a condition of travel to Cyprus. I wouldn't be specifically put off by the covid situation as l don't think you're anymore likely to catch it by travelling than you are day to day if you stick to social distancing and sanitising.

With my first we went to Egypt at 28 weeks and I loved it. Go and enjoy a sun lounger when you can because once the baby is here - holidays are very different.

Key thing is be careful with food and don't bake in the sun.

You're fine to go away at that stage, but be aware that if you do need medical help, you don't want to be an unmarried (expectant) mother in Dubai.

I think it's a personal choice really. I went to Turkey for 10 days when I was 28 weeks during Covid. My midwife knew I was going and she gave me a 'fit to travel' certificate just in case anyone stops or asks me at the airport. Never needed to show anyone the certificate as nobody questioned us.

I'm also booked to travel to Dubai in January as I have family out there. I'll be 21 weeks & I'm actually quite looking forward to a little break! ☀️

Travelling should be no problem, I've also done some research like yourself, and so long as you have no health conditions that would worry you, then I'm sure you'll be fine. It does say to try and move around as much as you can during the flight although I'm not sure if this will be possible given the current situation...

From what I can gather, you're most 'at risk' in your third trimester so try not to worry too much. Just be safe & don't do anything that would make you uncomfortable ☺️

I have a friend who lives in Dubai and Covid is under very good control there so I wouldn't worry too much. She said the restrictions to stop spread are pretty strict so you are probably safer from Covid there than you are here! It's just the flight that may be a worry.

Thank you all so much for your kind and informative responses, I feel a lot better 🙂

I’ve been fairly lucky up until now as I haven’t really suffered any major symptoms, but obviously that is subject to change.

I have travelled three times during Covid this year and although the mask situation is uncomfortable it’s manageable, I just felt slightly different being pregnant.

It seems such a shame to waste the holiday but of course baby is main concern. Providing nothing changes between then and now I think I will go ahead with Dubai x x

@Vogue1992 I don’t know what the current travel quarantine is with Dubai, but with restrictions easing for the Christmas period, there might be tighter restrictions coming in Jan (not guaranteed of course) but maybe one point to consider/plan for might be your 20 week scan, just incase you do have a 14 day quarantine period, maybe try and see if you can schedule your appt taking the 14 day isolation period into account just so you don’t risk missing it x

@2020N Thank you! At present there is no self isolating upon return from Dubai but as you mentioned this could be subject to change. Fingers crossed it isn’t but it not hopefully i make my 20 week scan just on time xxx

Have you checked the Zika virus and whether Dubai is a hot spot for it?

I went to Texas when I was 20 weeks pregnant, it was nearly 40 degrees and although tiring was absolutely fine! Drinks lots of water and get lots of rest and you will be fine. It will be a nice change to enjoy a holiday before baby arrives :-)

Dubai when pregnant during Covid..? Sounds amazing! I'm very jealous. Have a lovely time and don't worry. Be safe and be careful but enjoy!

I personally wouldn't travel again while pregnant as ended up having my baby at 28 week in Italy, off the plane straight to the hospital baby born 5 hrs later due to undiagnosed incompetent cervix ( was seen by the midwife the day before I few and got a fit to fly note) I know my case is very rare but it happens, what I would say if u go make sure u have good travel insurance that covers anything pregnancy and birth related, look at local hospitals so if anything were to happen u know where to go

@Vogue1992 I went abroad at 28 weeks in October & am so glad we did, had a lovely break from reality! As long as you're sensible, have insurance & are otherwise healthy I would go & enjoy yourself!

I went away in the summer whilst pregnant! As long as you follow the precautions, you'll be fine!
I would say go and enjoy yourself...because holidays wont't be the same when a baby is here! x

Thank you for all your kind messages of reassurance, I was really expecting the opposite. It’s nice to know others have been on holiday whilst pregnant and during Covid. I think a week in Dubai is an absolute no brainer as long as I’m fit to fly. Baby moon before life changes forever 👶🏼 💚

Hi @boymum88 so sorry to hear about your experience, sounds awful ☹️ was everything ok afterwards? I’ll definitely be taking out the right insurance, local hospitals and of course the OK / fit to fly from my Midwife xx

I went abroad whilst pregnant with twins this year and much further on than that! Enjoy your holiday

I was asked at the airport coming home how many weeks I was by the lady at check in to check I didn't need a fit to fly certificate but other than that it was never even mentioned and I was pretty huge!