Going On Holiday Abroad While Pregnant.

[Delectable]

Hi everyone,
Did you ever travel abroad on holiday while pregnant?
How was it? Will you do it again?
What does one need to bear in mind if considering/planning to do so?
Thanks.

Yes it was nice and easy. I went to Turkey 5 months pregnant. Made sure to wear a big hat and lots of sunscreen. Took naps in the hottest parts of the day and kept cool. Drank bottled water and was a bit cautious about what I ate. Had a great time.

Get comprehensive travel insurance and check specific clauses with them over the phone regarding obstetric/neonatal care plus medical repatriation. Take a European health card (but that's really just belt and braces - it's the private travel.imsurance that pays for major things. But some insurers might stipulate you must take one.

Also update travel insurers about absolutely any developments in your pregnancy before you leave and check again that the policy is fit for purpose.

Yep I did, a few times, and it is fine. Depends on how pregnant, and how you feel. The how pregnant bit is relevant for both the airline (most won't do it after 6 months) and your insurance (mainly fine unless you have had issues - but check). The how you feel bit is mainly if you are struggling with morning sickness, and how you are feeling in hot climates. It's a different sort of holiday for both of you if you do go. I was tired by 9pm, and could not be bothered with some of the holiday excesses of others, but choose where you go and it should be fine.

We never made it abroad as I had a massive bleed a few days before which was classed as a threatened miscarriage and hospital told me to cancel. Insurance initially refused to pay out because I didn't declare an old coccyx injury despite it having no relevance. They said I'd broken the terms of it by not declaring.

So my advice would be get insurance and then make sure you declare absolutely everything you've been to the GP for.

I did lots of business trips while pregnant. Because that was part of my job. Some were day trips to Frankfurt, others lasted up to a week.

What exactly are you worried about? Just make sure you have great insurance.

I did! I went to Mexico at about 6 months preggo. I also took a long flight at 35 weeks-ish to get to my "home" country to give birth, then was staying in air bnbs (so a bit like being on holiday). Even that was fine.

As for tips: I had a doctor's note to say I was fit to fly, but no one asked to see it at the airports. I think you only need that if super pregnant though.

If you're feeling a bit nervous, you might feel generally more confident if you go somewhere where you speak the language, just in case you want to see a doctor.

You could also consider booking stuff with possible cancellation in case you feel ill or just not up to it when the time comes: unlikely though!

I would recommend a holiday tbh, it's a really special time and nice to savour it

Hi @Delectable i went to Paris when i was 6 months pregnant with my first. We did have an amazing time but oh god the walk and stairs was hard for me.
Looking back now i have the most beautiful photos with my baby bump and it's a time i'll never forget.

I booked us self catering which was lovely, i could heat up food in the middle of the night if i needed to.
If you do go on holiday have a lovely time x

I went to Indonesia, Lanzarote, Mexico and Cambodia over 2 pregnancies.

have a good quality travel insurance in case the worst happens, but the worst would still have happened wherever you are and many countries are well equipt medically so there is no reason not to. You aren’t Ill your pregnant so enjoy yourself! (Unless you obviously are ill in which case I don’t think you’d be asking this question)

when pregnant there are few things you can’t do (some food restrictions, fair ground rides etc but really very little else so carry on living your life)

I did. I was 22 weeks and fit as a fiddle no sickness or symptoms. But omg I got so burnt. It was only 22 degrees in lanzarote in March and it really put me off I wouldn't do it again.

I spent a month in the French Alps at 32-36 weeks pregnant, swam every morning, walked about, slept. It was fine probably good for the baby TBH.

I travelled quite a bit both for work and pleasure until I was "grounded" at 28 weeks due to complications with my pregnancy. I was attentive about drinking plenty and moving my legs on long haul trips. I also wore travel stockings when I was on a plane for several hours. Otherwise I just carried on as normal.

I went in early pregnancy. I'd be very careful choosing a destination travelling later on in pregnancy and would personally probably avoid it after around 5 months unless essential. Whilst the chances of anything happening are very rare, the current case of a British woman who has been in Greece since May (admitted with complications, baby born premature) would put me off. It's being overly cautious, but I think for one year I'd plan a UK holiday.

Thanks for the contributions. Yes, flexible ticket and insurance seem key.
I saw a very cheap deal to a middle eastern country so I'm tempted to book.
I like to walk a lot and explore markets, history and cuisine. Shall weight it all up.

Thanks again.

@Delectable just bear in mind that some middle Eastern countries will treat you differently if you are pregnant outside marriage. (In case you're not married)

Hi I went to Portugal around 35 weeks, was fine but just make sure you have lots of bottled water

Yep went to the Seychelles, was lovely and so relaxing. All went fine, felt a little nauseous on a boat trip but that was all. Would definitely do it again if i had another

I went when I was 4-6 weeks pregnant (found out on holiday). Incredible holiday. Then went when I was 18 weeks pregnant for a long weekend (it was a pain avoiding cured meats, seafood, and cheese in the European city) but nice trip.

I even went to Italy after knowing I had a missed miscarriage at 11 weeks. It was already booked and paid for so thought why not. Fortunately nothing happened while I was away because when it did I was stuck near the toilet for ages and in lots of pain. Also I was miserable the whole time just waiting to miscarry and feeling sad. So this is the only trip I shouldn’t have gone on in hindsight.

I wouldn’t go after 20 weeks but only due to my experience. placenta previa found at the 20 week scan, was on alert for 11 weeks incase I started bleeding. Then preeclampsia 31-35weeks.

I wouldn't but this is only based on my experience in my second pregnancy...I had an unexpected and very quick late miscarriage (at 18 weeks) in an otherwise healthy pregnancy. We were due to go to to crete 2 weeks after this, and it would have been so much more traumatic happening over there. I appreciate my circumstances are very unusual though, and I guess you can't live as though the worst will happen. As others have said if you do go I would consider what your insurance covers and nearest hospital etc.

We went to cyprus when I was 26w. It was really nice but I had awful heartburn and had run out of the prescription omeprazole so struggled to cope on over the counter gaviscon. Otherwise it was fine, really lovely to get away before the baby arrived!

Just to add on this: if you do go away somewhere sunny then use lots of sun protection. For some reason the sun seems go affect your skin more when you're pregnant and you might find that you burn more easily

Yes. I went away at 5 weeks (booked before I knew I would be pregnant), 16 weeks and I’m going again at 25 weeks.

Each time I’ve checked where local hospitals are in case needed, and made sure the destination isn’t a zika zone. Obviously travel insurance as well.

Other than that just wore compression socks on the flights.

Being pregannt in Portugal was so fab for me.

They treat pregnant ladies with such respect.

Designated parking spaces and everyone moves aside for you in queues. I even had a lady tell someone off for not moving for me at a supermarket!

Thanks so much for sharing your experiences and things to be mindful of. Much appreciated.