Travel to India

[StrawberryField48]

Recently found out I'm pregnant with our first child. I'm now 5w1d. We have a trip booked to India to visit my husband's family - I will be on weeks 9-11 then. I know I should walk around the plane during the flight (to avoid blood clots), only drink and brush teeth with bottled water and only eat cooked food. Where we go at this time of year, there is no mosquito problem. We will also have access to good medical facilities if needed.

I know the risk of a miscarriage only goes down after week 12.. But then, I'm not sure being in India would increase that risk.. anything can happen even if we stay in the UK..

Would you go?

I know at the end it's my decision. But would be helpful to hear some thoughts.

Thank you!

Personally I wouldn’t, I’d far rather be at home nearby if anything was to happen.

India has far better airports in metro cities than the UK. And far better private health facilties.

That said I would wait till week 12.

@CharlotteRumpling I frequently visit Indian airports and I completely disagree with your statement! OP is wouldnt risk it imo.

3 months ago. Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi
Also had private medical treatment that I can't get on the NHS.

Cleaner. Shorter lines. More staff. People to help with bags. Heathrow is terrribly understaffed.

I personally wouldn’t.

No. It's unaffordable private in the UK. Why do you find that so hard to believe? I also did all my dentist treatment. Because i cant get an NHS dentist easily.

I wouldn't go either during pregnancy.

Anyone who thinks UK Airports are in some way superior hasn't been to T3 Manchester Airport, filthy shithole.
OP, you will probably be OK and staying with family is different to hotels etc BUT I would say that when I had my MC at 12 weeks I could not have dealt with being anywhere other than home. Its very unlikely you will have any issues though.
Another word of caution an Indian friend took his wife to visit family and was very strict in telling them what things they needed to do to stop her from getting sick but she was still really really ill and it turns out that Granny was using fresh well water to cool drinks that had been boiled to prevent illness - she understood but felt that it was just her "softy westernised grandson" who had an issue and it wasn't going to be a problem. Things that won't make people who are exposed to it all the time ill may well make you very ill - its why people sometimes get ill even in Europe and think its the water (when its often cleaner than in The UK), its just different, thats all

Yes, possibly. Maybe avoid any long travel till 12 weeks. And this doesn't seem like a trip that absolutely has to be made. Unlike say a death in the family. So probably best to play it safe.

Not necessarily because of the airports or medical facilties though.

It's true that people may get ill due to being exposed to things they usually are not exposed to. Water, pollution, food.

India is quite a hub for medical tourism btw. The big hospitals have a growing number of foreigners. MNers may be horrified but this is a thing. And likely to grow in the future.

I wouldn't personally as I could barely get out of bed at 9-11 weeks and had horrendous hyperemesis and was exhausted. Obviously not everyone gets that so see how you feel I guess.

I don't think 'being in India would increase the risk'. The birth rate in India is higher than in the UK.

Long haul travel and unfamiliar food/water could though

Thanks for sharing and I'm sorry to hear about your loss.

UK airports are shitty. All of them incl Heathrow. No help very rude staff. Extremely long Qs. I have stood in a Queue for immigration for over an hour on my first visit. Always shocked at the number of people landing. Dude that's your only job.

Indian airports are far better. Kinder staff and very helpful. very clear signage. Clean toilets very quickly accessible. In India the queues are hardly even 5 minutes long.

As PP have mentioned go after 12 weeks. its absolutely safe. Take your usual precautions.

Why so much focus on the airport quality? OP won’t be staying in the airport for the duration of the trip. Anyway I wouldn’t travel to India whilst pregnant because Delhi Belly and pollution. It’s fine if you're used to it, but if you’re not it’s seriously risky.

Because someone said they wouldn't advise going to India while pg due to the airports there