Holidaying whilst pregnant

[s2024]

Hi all,

My husband and I are looking to escape for a week or so before the baby comes and I had some questions.

I'll be between 26-28 weeks pregnant by the time we end up traveling as nothing is booked yet. We are hoping to go back to Mauritius for some winter sunshine and to enjoy the full relaxation of an all inclusive resort, not moving around.

I appreciate the possible risks throughout pregnancy at any given moment and have Googled hospitals out there but was just wondering what people thought and if they have done something similar!

Would you go?
What are your top plane tips for longer journeys?
What would you watch out for?

Thanks!

Just my own feelings, but I wouldn't leave Europe for fun at that stage of pregnancy, although I know many would. Long haul flights aren't good for the human body at the best of times, let alone in pregnancy.

I went to Greece around that time with my 3rd, I'm very fit and ran during pregnancy. Trip out was easy, trip back when i was 2 weeks more pregnant (and eaten lots of all inclusive food) was awful. Delayed on runway and back pain terrible. I couldn't get my bag off the floor easily, fine if just me, but had 2 children with me that felt sick and a child behind me was sick on me and one of my children.

I would do it again, but not long-haul. changing in dubai when you're tired?. Also, on way back, although on my airline, I didn't need a doctors note yet, I was asked pretty constantly how pregnant I was. I showed my matb1 to prove no docs note needed.

I’ve been abroad in both my pregnancies at various stages.
Pregnancy one I went to Bali and Indonesia pre 12 weeks.
Pregnancy two:

• went to Curacao (Caribbean) pre 12 weeks
• went to Turkey between 19-20 weeks.
• went to to Curacao between 22-24 weeks

The most difficult thing for me was the return flight at 24 weeks. It was a night flight and I had terrible pelvic girdle pain which was made worse by not being able to reposition, move around a lot. Flights to/from Curacao require two flights and the whole journey takes in excess of 12 hours with layover.

I would recommend making sure you have an aisle seat and if you are able, book a seat with extra leg room as it will give you more ability to stretch your legs. Get up and move around lots, wiggle your toes, lift your feet up and down, do stretches in the loo if you’re worried about people looking at you oddly!

I would take a note of symptoms of a PE or DVT as pregnancy puts you at higher risk for these, compared to usual on long haul flights.

Have a chat with your midwife about it too and bare in mind that after a certain point in pregnancy you may need a fit to fly note and that can vary per airline 😊

Dh and I went to Majorca for a wee sun break at that stage in my pregnancy. The travelling near killed me so no way would I want to put myself through a long haul. You may feel physically better than I did though - I still had HG by that stage and the tiredness traveling made it worse and pgp flared up during the travelling.

I'd probably not chance a long haul while pregnant in truth. Especially since many airlines won't let you sit in the seats with more leg room while pregnant but a long haul airline with a first class section might be different. A long time sitting on the flight and then on a coach for transfer just left me feeling very, very uncomfortable by the end. So I'd recommend making sure you've a very short trip from airport to hotel and maybe book a private taxi or transfer for that.

I got compression stockings for the flight and made sure i got up and moved a lot and drank lots of water.

Realistically, Majorca wouldn't be my normal holiday pick but it was exactly what we needed - sunny, lazy and central to where the bars and restaurants and beach etc were so I didn't have to walk far. I had pgp and with the heat and travelling I ended up with numbness and burning in one leg and couldn't walk far at all.

I'd just worry about spending a lot, and then having to cancel or not feeling up for all the travelling when it comes to it. I would also recommend speaking to your midwife.

I brought photocopies of everything in my maternity folder with me on holiday and I'd translated a few things that I might need to tell a doctor into Spanish and had that on my phone incase I needed it. Also looked at nearby hospitals and what they offered and booked a hotel near one with good maternity facilities.

Also "back to" Mauritius is interesting. It's a little over-rated in my opinion. If it's winter sun, you could go for a very high-end hotel in canaries. Even carribean/ Bahamas would be a shorter flight. Or Greece has such beautiful beaches/ resorts depending on month/ island, it could be warm enough.

I wouldn't be going anywhere pregnant if I needed vaccinations for the tropics.

Lots of great places in Europe to go to.

How far off is 26 weeks?

I did 22-24w to Rhodes, AI. Was fine. Though I did get nervous about reduced movements in the last couple of days.

I never had PGP though and didn't start getting uncomfortable until c32 weeks

26 weeks is in 3 weeks time, so not far now and why we are looking at going further afield.

I personally don't feel like the Caribbean is the right option as there is Zika circulating still, and not sure it's worth the risk?!

I have just spoken to my midwife this morning and she didn't see or have any concerns with us heading to Mauritius.

We went to Mauritius last year in March and loved it. IMO it's still too cold in Europe to go for winter sun, especially when you are already an island girl and are after those hot days and warm enough nights.

We are also extremely lucky as I have a BA companion voucher which has meant we can book business class flights to make the trip more comfortable for me, otherwise I hear and echo the concerns that you have all shared with me.

Thank you all

I'm too paranoid to go further than Europe personally, but if you are prepared for the worst case scenario and have comprehensive travel insurance than I'm sure it'll be fine.

Chances are you’ll be fine, but I’m 28 weeks and suffering badly with back pain when sitting for long periods (like a flight)! Even in business you’ll need to be sat for most of the journey although the toilet access will be better (this is my other problem).

Hi guys I’ve just seen this thread, and I say this without intending to do self promotion- there are so many flipping variables to discuss before you make a decision- please make contact or book with a pregnancy travel specialist like me at The pregnancy and childrenstraveldoc

Natalie