Any recommendations for holiday when 28 - 29 weeks?

[Goodluckbear]

Hi all,

We'd like to take a two week holiday before the baby is born, but the only time we can do is in September when I'll be 28 to 29 weeks pregnant.

My partner really wants to go abroad. I've read up about flying (and know I'd need to check my insurance covers me and I'd need to get a letter to say I'm ok to fly by that point with most airlines), but I could really do with your thoughts on what sort of holiday is do-able.

E.g. Greece for two weeks?

This is my first so any advice/views/recommendations very much welcome!!

xx

How are you with hot weather normally? Remember that you can't really sunbathe, so don't go on a holiday where the focus is sunbathing or you'll get very bored sitting in the hotel while your OH browns! We're going to the south of France when I'll be 26 weeks, but it's a family house and I know I'll enjoy lazing by the pool even if under a shade and pottering around the cute villages and towns nearby in the early morning and evening. Plus the house is really cool so I can always retreat indoors for a nap.

Check with your doctor about the flight length and your DVT risk. My GP gave me info on flying when pregnant that said that, if I flew long haul (more than 4 hours), I'd need heparin injections because I'm also overweight. I'm not sure how long the flight to Greece is (4 hours?), but maybe considering somewhere closer would be good?

The other thing we're concerned about is making sure we can cancel everything, e.g. car hire, if need be.

Hi Goodluckbear,

I could have answered this on the Grads thread but just seen you here!

I'm going to Rhodes at the end of July, I'll be 27 weeks going and 29 coming back.
I'm now 21 weeks,so six weeks to go and I'm confident I can't get too big in six weeks!

I've had to arrange separate travel insurance (through 'World First') and have covered the whole family for just under £40 (if anything happens to me over there I was worried my family would have to leave me on my own and fly back if I only covered myself) and the airline is fine up to 34 weeks although I will need a note from my midwife.

I'd say go for it, you can have a lovely relaxing time in the sun, just take it easy, lots of relaxing and lots of ice lollies! let me know what you decide xx

I've just come back from a week in Turkey. 26 weeks when I went, 27 when I came back. It was great. Its totally different to the heat here & you'll be by a pool so can easily cool down. I sat out in the sun. Just make sure you wear a high factor as you're mare at risk of burning. Don't get too hot & keep well hydrated.

I flew with Thomas Cook. They let you fly without a letter up until 30 weeks. I took my notes with me just in case they asked but didn't have any problems.

As Sarahlou8 says make sure you're whole family is covered by your insurance.

Enjoy your holiday!

You should take your notes wherever you go, anyway.

The problem with sunbathing is that you're also at higher risk of getting heatstroke, and that can be very serious (up to fatal) for the baby, so must be avoided!

go for it! get your docs note and a EHIC card

I recently went to Greece at 26 weeks, had a great time. the heat was bearable as lazed on beach then went in sea to cool down

I sunbathed! just kept out of the sun from middday till 4pm. went in the sea to keep fresh and had loads of water

I'd go for med sea side if I were you

Hi there,

I haven't reached 28-29 weeks yet and everyone seems to have different experiences, but I think a holiday is a great idea. Have you thought of going somewhere on the Eurostar? Fast and convenient, you can stretch your legs, and I have found them very good. If you go for Belgium you get a through ticket from Brussels to anywhere else in Belgium (Knokke is a lovely beach resort) or you could change in Lille for a holiday somewhere in Northern France, where it shouldn't be baking hot at that time of the year (?). Or you could do a house swap with somewhere else in England?

If you're looking at trains, you can get Eurostar to Lille and then change to TGV that goes all the way to the South of France. We looked into it as a back-up for our holiday.

Hi goodluck bear,

I'm also looking for a week away, for when I will be about 25 weeks.

On our shortlist is:
Greece
Croatia
Turkey
Italy
Sardinia

I'm happy to fly, just not long haul (did some of that in early preg and couldn't relax. Was a bit paranoid about stuff).
We also thought about Egypt since there are some fab deals, but food poisoning seems very common there (someone will probably tell me off for this sweeping generalisation I know, but if you look it up it closely follows India for food hygiene issues).

Let me know if you find any good deals. We have used this site before and have found some bargains.

www.ownersdirect.co.uk/

One more suggestion to pile into the mix: I am going to Corsica in 2 weeks when I will be 27 weeks. We went there on our honeymoon last year. It's fabulous, not too far a flight (90mn) and part of France so has excellent healthcare facilities should you need them. I am fluent in French so that played a big part in our decision to go there as I am confident I can handle the medical side of things if need be. September is a perfect time to go to Corsica as all of the mainlanders will be back in mainland France but the weather is still glorious. Unfortunately for us we'll be there right at the beg. of the high season.

Thanks so much everyone, this is really helpful!! I'll have a chat with DH tonight, will be nice to get something booked to look forward to. Funnily enouhg Pixiecake, Greece and Croatia are top of our list too.

I probably won't sunbathe anyway as I'm not much of one for tanning, but it'll be nice to be warm and relaxing by a pool and stuff.

Looking forward to it now!!

Thanks again,

xxx