Travelling whilst pregnant

[Ana1242]

Hi I'm due to travel to Portugal at 22 weeks pregnant and again at 26 weeks to Spain. I hadn't thought much of travelling whilst pregnant until x2 friends who have been away on separate holidays have come back with the most horrendous flu / covid (one of which was signed off for weeks, both of them are healthy and never ill). I'm worried I'll catch something similar which could obviously be very serious. I'm not a germ freak at all but since hearing how unwell my friends were I'm understandably worried and dont want to unnecessarily put my baby at risk. I guess my question is, am i over reacting or not, what would you do? I could cancel and possibly get most of my money back through insurance , but I'm not worries about that. Also I'll be traveling end Sept and end Oct which are is well into the cold and flu season. Thanks in advance

I've got plans to travel long haul at the beginning of November, at 22 weeks, so similar situation.

I'd try not to worry - take all the usual precautions, hand washing etc to be sensible but I tend to think you could catch something anywhere. I get a packed bus to and from work every day, so feel I'm just as likely to pick something up there, and there's not much I can do about it, as I can't stop taking that bus or going to work (I wish!!) Unfortunately I think we're always at the whims of other people's hygiene, so will at least try to have a nice holiday around it!

It was pre-Covid, but I flew shorthaul for work twice a week for my entire pregnancy to 36 weeks when no airline would take me. I wouldn't think twice about it, but mask up on the flight and use handsan if you want to be cautious.

You could easily catch said cold/flus at home. I would definitely travel.

I'm travelling to Portugal at 26 weeks, I'm generally cautious on planes with hand sanitiser etc... but I have a 4 year old so much more likely to pick something up from him and school.

Realistically colds/flu are unavoidable especially if you have to go to a workplace or even appointments at Drs/hospital. I'd just take extra precautions if needed with more hand cleaning.

I'd be amazed if your travel insurance would reimburse you for voluntarily cancelling a trip because you're concerned you might catch a virus. And like PPs have said, you could catch a bad cold, flu etc. anywhere - presumably you still go to work, meet friends and all of that stuff? I wouldn't think twice about going if there were no pregnancy complications. Get your flu jab before you go, and enjoy the break.

I've just got back from a 2 week holiday in Spain and I'm 24 weeks tomorrow. I didn't get ill at all and it didn't cross my mind tbh. I'm more likely to catch something off my two children or even at work. Enjoy your holiday ☺️

just buy a decent mask for the plane as the air circulates on them thats where you'll catch something if anything!