Travel to "dangerous" places while pregnant - experiences?

[blondecat]

I am very happily 6 +3 weeks pregnant. One niggle is that we still haven't had our much delayed honeymoon with DH.

We are hoping to go in July when I will be in the fifth month. Small niggle being that we had wanted to go to Kenya, Mongolia, the Silk Route or travel the Trans-siberian railway.

Has anyone been there while pregnant?

I read that I cannot go anywhere with Malaria or where food-poisoning is too likely. Are there any malaria free zones in Africa where one can go on safari? Also I doubt the quality of hospital care in Russian Far East or in Mongolia so would we be taking a ridiculous risk?

If all else fails any other ideas for a July honeymoon for a preggers couple?

if it was me i'd stick to a grand tour of europe - vienna, rome, venice, etc. etc.

i just know that i get a bit of a dodgy tum whenever i'm in africa or asia and i wouldn't want that pregnant.

South Africa - certain parts of it aren't malaria zones and you can do safaris there (took dd when wasn't one and therefore couldn't take tablets). Can't remember name of reserve but it's up near sun city.

And although did fair few trips incl long haul - were all based on would you get equivalent level of care relatively easily.

It depends on your appetite for risk taking I suppose and yours and your immune system's experience in travelling to places of that sort. It also depends on what the travel insurers say. The second trimester is the safest for travel. But you also won't be able to have most vaccinations or take most anti-malarial drugs.

If I were you, I would choose somewhere that offers enough in the way of adventure while having a pretty good healthcare system - eg Fjords and Arctic circle in Norway, transcontinental rail journey across Canada, maybe Cuba or coastal resorts in Latin America (which are all non-malarial afaik).

I went to Kenya whilst pregnant, once at about 12 weeks, once at 27 weeks. You won't be able to take anti-malarials, but unless you are at the coast it shouldn't be an issue - just cover up and use mozzie spray (you can get some that is safe for pregnant women and babies). I think most safaris will be out of the malarial zone anyway.

poppy34 Thank you will look into South Africa but it's their winter and the world cup so might not work

remotecontroller Good pint about insurance. Somehow I suspect I won't like what they say

I'd stick to something like Europe, Canada and the like, for the sake of my peace of mind. Even if nothing happened I don't think the stressing would be worth it.

But then again, loads of women live and Kenya, spend their whole pregnancies there and everything goes well. It's up to you.

Wouldn't worry too much about not being able to take anti malarials as very few people actually take the right doses anyway and a surprizing amount of people have side effects anyway such as vomiting which makes them useless. You could look at getting a homeopathic remedy instead through a consult with a homeopath.
(My ex lived somewhere in Africa for a while and caught malaria, he insists that getting treated in the country you catch something is much safer. They know how to deal with it as they get trained to, whereas in the UK the exotic diseases centre may only see one case in a blue moon.)
Just make sure you protect yourself by covering up and use a natural mozzie repellant.
I'd suggest go for the honeymoon that meets both your dreams for a honeymoon!
Just maybe plan extra time for resting as you may feel more worn out from traveling than usual. Saying that the silk route or trans siberan railway routes sound great (want to do them at some stage myself!) its possibly something you won't want to do with a child whereas Africa you may feel more inclined to visit with a family in tow
Have fun

Also I recommend www.direct-travel.co.uk for travel insurance.
You will need to phone them for a quote to cover pregnancy but they have always been a good price for their insurance even when needing it cover for pre exsisting medical conditions and older people over 70.
(Although I recommend them and only use them now for my travel insurance (touch wood) I haven't ever had to made a claim.)

blonde, I'm quite a practical, logical type but when it's come down to it I've decided to holiday in northern europe. I don't really give a damn what my insurance policy covers - would you want to be in a remote sub-saharan hospital in bother?

South Africa is perfect for you; same time zone so you won't be shattered when you arrive. I can highly recommend Shamwari game reserve near Port Elizabeth; completely malaria free and the lap of luxury (but comes at a price, i am afraid!). Combine with a fewdays in Cape Town and you are sorted! It was the best holiday of my life!

You could do a self drive safari in Namibia - a wonderful country, friendly people, stunning scenery and wildlife, and range of accommodation from 5 star luxury to 4x4 roof top camping - we did all.

In certain areas and at certain times of year its malaria free. I would have been 2nd trimester when we went last year, during malaria season and Trailfinders Travel Clinic were happy to prescribe, but I can't remember which drug. There is definitely one deemed safe to use in pregnancy. Do not really on homeopathic remedies, you are more susceptible to malaria when pregnant, it would be very foolish

The only issue about Namibia would be the size of the country - you are pretty isolated and will not see many other travellers for hours on end

Check out the Lonely Planet Thorntree forum for ideas, there's a special Kids To Go section, where lots of previously pregnant people will be itching to talk travel ideas with you

Wherever you go have a wonderful time

We went on a flydrive to Iceland for a week when I was 20 weeks last time and it was absolute bliss. Completely relaxing and breathtaking scenery. Might tick the boxes for adventure whilst being safe and comfortable.

My husband did a pre-pregnancy trip on the silk route with his bf (I went to the Galapagos with mine) and loved it but found it hard. There isn't much tourist infrastructure, or there wasn't 4 years ago when he did the trip. Also very hot in Central Asia and Mongolia in July.

We're just back from a week in Morocco with our 2 year old. Only 3-4 hours flight time and no time difference plus loads of riad style boutique hotels. May be too hot in July unless you stick to the coast.

Have a fab time whatever you choose.

I would definitely stick to somewhere where you can easily get to good healthcare. I went to Namibia before I was pg and there is no way I would go there when pg - unless it's changed a lot in the last 8 years it is risky enough for a carefree couple due to sheer distance to a doctor/lack of doctors if you want to go anywhere interesting. You also spend an enormous amount of time travelling on dusty tracks. Same with Kenya really. I agree with the pp about South Africa - this is one place I WOULD go - we went with our 3 month old exactly 3 years ago because we knew it well, no malaria, etc, but we stayed fairly close to Cape Town. But all the top (expensive) safari camps have good doctors. There is also Addo Elephant park where you could self drive amongst the elephants, malaria free.

We went to the Amalfi when I was 5 months, which was just the romantic place and perfect because you wouldn't really go there with children. Whilst there I had crippling pains in my side - I really thought I was losing the baby. I was taken to a local hospital and scanned, tested for various things, given pain relief etc - happily everything was fine, but the thought of that happening somewhere remote would terrify me.

What about LA/Palm Springs/Grand Canyon type trip - I went when about 2 months pregnant and loved it. I know it's not Africa/Mongolia, but still incredible landscapes.

South Africa definitely. DH is from Cape Town so we go every year You can have a fab tour of CT - Table Mountain, Cape Point amongst many other sites. The drive along the Garden Route is fab, Knysna is beautiful, Addo Elephant Park is great fun (they have really romantic log cabins by the watering holes. As about 90% of South Africans have private medical insurance, the healthcare is really good. Think I'd actually feel more comfortable there than the NHS sometimes. Enjoy!

Wow!

Thank you all - South Africa really sounds the best if we can get there with the world cup craziness. And it;s their winter in July but hopefully not too freezing

I wouldn't go round Africa/the Indian ocean because you'll be 3rd trimester so it would be v bad if you caught chikungunya. There's an outbreak at the moment and they typically take 6 months to die down.

I got pregnant and spent most of my first pregnancy living in Kingston (Jamaica not on-Thames), which has one of the highest per capita murder rates in the world, not sure if that counts as dangerous?

Anyway. For peace of mind I would probably not chose somewhere without good access to decent medical care, but most places have private hospitals so just check your health insurance.

How about somewhere like Argentina?

echo what otheres have said abotu reading the small print. Also world cup finishes on 11 July so depending on whhen you travel you may well escape the madness. Also it is their winter but we went at roughly same time last year and weather was still lovely -if not swimsuit weather - it may well be nicer down in capetown (we were in joburg/pretoria area).

Hello, we had the same problem. Was going to be 18/40 and wanted somewhere outside of europe for my 30th birthday holiday. We chose America for English speaking and good medical care if covered. Miami, Florida Keys and the Everglades for 9 days last week and it was great. Can't remember who insurance was with but covered me for pregnancy and only £45-no insurance company will cover you if you travel against medical advice or with a high risk pregnancy. Will post later with insurance company details.

PS There are no safe ant-malaria drugs as ethics commitees will not let them test on pregnant women, there is one that is "more safe" but still has side effects!

PS We gave up Machu Picchu and Indian triangle thoughts once we fell pregnant.

I am 5 mths pregnant and just got back from Penang, Malaysia. I had booked the trip before I got pregnant to celebrate my 30th birthday and while travelling in doth east Asia at 37 degs 90% humidity was hard at times, oh and squat toilets I had a brilliant time. I say still go as it may be your last chance for an exotic holiday got a while, plus as a childless couple.