Where to go on holiday when 19/20 weeks pg?

[Miffster]

We're trying to book a last minute summer holiday for me and DH before arrival of DC1 in December and before we have to move out of our flat(we have just found a buyer). Next year we may be moving abroad so this is a bit of a 'last hurrah' for us.

Last time we had a proper holiday was Aug 2008 and we went to Anatolia, Turkey, where we have been several times. This year I have found a particularly chilled out (and child-free) hotel to go to - but DH has just pointed out that the heat in July - typically 33 degrees - might be a bit too much for me (although I usually love heat). Also that food poisoning/dodgy tum abroad is something to consider and if we are in a small village it might be harder to get medical advice.

The hotel is a quiet hotel by a river and mountains, in a village with a few restaurants, rather than a busy resort with a beach 10 mins away.

So I said, well, I'll ask mumsnet. They'll know. Any suggestions? Would you go to Turkey halfway through your pregnancy? Or somewhere else?

Neither of us want to drive, and all we want to do is read books, swim, and laze about by a pool or on a beach, with the odd boat trip thrown in. In the evening we like to go to restaurants and eat fish.

Sorry long post!

The other thing I would consider is how long is the flight (and how big/uncomfortable do you think you'll be)?

We're going to the South of France in September when it'll still be very warm but not as hot as July/August. We've been there before and I often spend most of the day in the shade or pool anyway - we'll just have to be better about getting up to do shopping etc in early morning.

What's the food hygiene typically like there? Obviously there are some extra precautions to take, like being wary of salads in restaurants and not eating from street vendors, but I'm not worried going to France.

On the other hand, I know there is a doctor 10 minutes from the villa and a hospital 30 minutes away. How would you cope if you needed medical attention? Would you be booking through a travel company that could help? Do either of you speak the language or have access to someone who can translate? If not, I'd personally find that very scary.

I would definitely find out where the nearest doctor is beforehand and decide whether you could cope with the language if you needed to see someone in an emergency.

Flights 4 hours and pretty much everyone working in Turkish tourism industry speaks great English. Turkish hospitals are very good, but you have to pay(though I should get insurance - not sure if travel insurance will cover pregnancy though?).

Standards of food hygiene are usually very good - at least they are when we have previously been to Turkey. No idea how big I'll be as this is first pregnancy - am 15 weeks now and definitely have a bump. Resort we normally go to has English speaking doctor in town 4 mins from hotel who is really good. This is a different resort so not sure about this one.

Can't go in September, 2nd and 3rd week in July is the only time we are able to get away.

I would go for it if you are comfortable with the hotel (Trip advisor is a good spot)- your travel insurance should cover any issues (pregnancy not usually considered an "illness" but definitely check the small print. You'll have a definite bump at 20 weeks but only one that you will really notice. Everyone else will still be in the is she/isn't she camp !! I am fairly sure you are supposed to avoid raising your body temp too high so it you will prob have to avoid the mid day sun quite religiously but then your skin will be more sensitive anyway (I got tons more freckles this year) so prob best to look after both of you and just enjoy the break.

My only reservation (but I have never been to Turkey and it may be resort specific) is whether you can easily make yourself understood re requesting specific foods to be excluded. I picked up a nasty bug in Morocco (pre-preg) and a colleague got Hepatitis out there so I would be v wary of salads etc if the local water is not drinkable.

Go, go. Unless you've been feeling sick as a dog or have complications then I'd make the most of it. Definatly get travel insurance which specifically covers pregnancy - and if you're worried then I'd call the resort to check they've got a doctor they could summon if needed and locate the nearest hospital - but chances are everything will be fine and the holiday will do you the world of good. It'll be lovely to spend some time just the 2 of you relaxing before the baby comes and in going to Turkey you'll have a good balance of new resport without being stressed about what to expect.

We went backpacking in Thailand for 3 weeks when I was 20 weeks, and it was heavenly. Loads of bobbing about in the sea/pool and reading in the shade. I'm also someone who loves hot weather so I wasn't too worried (it was about the same temperature). Just listen to your body and make sure you ALWAYS have a bottle of cold water to hand, and drink loads. Dont expect to do alot in the day, I'd steer clear of day tripp like things as walking in the mid-day sun for any amount of time was guarenteed to make me hot and bothered v quickly. If you want to head into town to shop or check out another restaurant then leave it till the evening when it's cooled down a bit. Just be sensible really. And sit down and have a rest/large swig of water whenever you want.

One thing to bear in mind though - pack light, like really light. With us DP took a small rucksack and I took a hand luggage roll along suitcase which basically meant that when I was feeling feeble he could manage all of the luggage by himself.

It sounds pretty good - I'd just check out beforehand where the nearest English speaking doctor is.

Definitely get travel insurance, especially as I don't think the EHIC is valid in Turkey - someone else suggested Ravenhall to me as they specialise in that kind of thing:

www.ravenhallgroup.co.uk/index2.php?ID=7

Could you fly economy plus or club or isn't that an option?

My husband and I have had exactly the same debate! I'm 20 weeks pregnant now (first baby) and we are going away to Tenerife in a few days time. It wouldn't of been our usual choice but it appealed to me because of the temp (27 degrees with the usual canaries breeze), reasonable flight length and medical facilities.

I made sure that we have flights at good times of the day and may check in our bags the day before so we are luggage free on the day we go. Our plan is to relax and enjoy some time out together and we are unlikely to do any trips etc. I am pleased to say that at this point in my pregnancy I feel well enough to enjoy our holiday and don't feel too huge (although did have to buy a selection of new bikini's in larger sizes to accomodate areas of growth).

If the canaries appeal have a look at the Bahia Principe Costa Adeje - has good reviews on tripadvisor for being a relaxing out of the way all inclusive type hotel with al a carte evening meals. Looks so nice I may try to persuade DH to go there ourselves in August!

P.S Got our insurance with Direct Travel (who we normally use) and they include pregnancy as standard up to 28 weeks

Oh blissful memories of 10 days in the Maldives when 18 weeks with DD2....

Thanks for all the replies.

Bad news - the bloody buyer has just pulled out. I don't know if we will be able to go on holiday now after all, as we may have to stay here and try to sell the flat and do viewings instead.

DH just suggested trying to sell in July and then taking a 'staycation' in August or Sept instead, in our own London flat or in a borrowed cottage in the Yorkshire Dales but I baulked at that - I would really like to have a last romantic foreign holiday, just the 2 of us, for 2 weeks, in a hotel before I am too heavily pregnant so in July, before am 20 weeks. A week in our own flat or a borrowed cottage, cooking and cleaning, in August is not at all the same thing as being in a hotel, with a pool and restaurants!

Am I being unreasonable? How important is a last holiday together before baby comes?

Had mine cancelled due to Volcanic Ash :-( So a forced staycation of a week instead of 2 somewhere fab. Honestly - we had a lovely holiday in the UK, you could still drive to France (Brittany would be lovely in July). Right now - I'm quite pleased to have the extra weeks leave now as it is so hot. You might relish the extra week off right before Christmas to stay in and watch everyone manically Christmas shopping !

Heh - my original holiday was cancelled due to volcanic ash as well in April! Neither of us drive, so no France etc is possible for us - it's either stay home, or go to a hotel in a resort.

Am now thinking we might have to give holiday up and stay in UK and try and sell the bloody flat instead.

What a shame, we have been so desperate for a holiday together for so long and this really does feel like our last chance.

Am so cheesed off about the buyer pulling out and ruining plans! But the time to sell a small London garden flat is the summer - not autumn, when I'm heavily pregnant, or winter after baby comes. I don't think it will be easy to sell when it is full of baby clutter - so that means, stay here, try to sell it, and give up the lovely planned holiday in the second trimester.

Or you could clean it within an inch of it's life, sod off on holiday and tell the agent there's a case of champagne in it if he can shift it in two weeks?