Home Traveling while pregnant?

[Kay]

DH and I had plans to go to France for two and a half weeks this summer with another couple who are doing home exchanges in Paris and Burgundy (so we have free lodging). We were supposed to buy the plane tickets today (or tomorrow at the latest because fares keep going up). I just found out at the end of last week that I am pregnant, and will be in my 26th or 27th week when we are scheduled to leave for Paris. I have not been able to speak with my doctor yet, but her nurse said there are no prohibitions on travel as long as I get checked out and it is not deemed a “high risk” pregnancy before the trip. We would buy travel insurance to cover the cost of the plane tickets if my doctor says I can’t travel.

Am I crazy to consider a trip like this at the beginning of my third trimester? Right now I am really nauseous, but that should no longer be an issue by the time of the trip from what I have read. I am sure I will be large and exhausted with swollen feet, but it might still be possible to have fun, right? (This is our first child and I have no idea what to expect.) We visited all the big tourist attractions in Paris and Burgundy on our last trip, so this trip is supposed to be much more slow paced: wandering the neighborhoods, shopping, checking out a few museums if we feel like it, and consuming lots of great food and wine (guess I’ll be missing out on the unpasteurized cheese and wine).

Please share with me your experiences traveling while PG.

 

[TravelingGal]

I traveled to Australia when I was 25 weeks and returned in week 27 or 28, I think. It was a 15 hour flight there and a bit shorter on the way back.

I had no problems up until that point in my pregnancy but the plane right was uncomfortable, to say the least. And my feet and hands got so swollen that even my husband looked a bit freaked out. If you are traveling from the east coast, I guess it wouldn''t be that bad, but I would not do a 15 hour flight so close to my third tri again.

If you REALLY take it easy, I don''t see why you can''t go. Ask your doc. Mine did not recommend traveling that far, but he understood because we bought the tickets way before I ever got pregnant. He said the problem is usually not the flight, but that people who go on vacation overexert themselves. Even though I tried to take it easy, I found this to be true.

Another thing...it was summer in Oz when we went. Personally, I wouldn''t take a vacation again in hot weather so close to my third trimester. It added to the discomfort.

 

[curlygirl]

Kay, I think you'll be fine--it will actually not be the worst time for you to travel! My doctor says to stop traveling at 36 weeks if you're having an uncomplicated pregnancy so barring any unforeseen circumstances, you should be ok. I traveled all through my last pregnancy up until 32 weeks and this time around, I've already gone on 2 trips at 6 and 7 weeks and will be going away again next week. We plan to take a few more trips before the new baby arrives as well.

You just need to make sure you stay hydrated and get up and walk around the plane a few times to keep your circulation going. I think it will be great to go to France but as you mentioned, the worst part will be avoiding the yummy cheeses and wine! Although if I were you, at that point in the pregnancy I'd probably indulge in a little wine!

As you said, this will be a slow paced trip so as long as you're not running yourself ragged with touring, sightseeing, etc., I think you should take the trip and enjoy yourself! And just think, you can take cool preggo photos and one day show your baby that he/she has already been to France!

 

[mrssalvo]

I think you''ll be fine too. my dr also says to stop traveling at 36 weeks. he said blood clots are the biggest concern and just to keep your legs moving and get up and walk around every couple of hours. he actually said blood clots are way more common 2 weeks after women give birth and make 8 hours drives to visit family with a newborn. double check with your dr. though.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I traveled in every trimester and was fine. I would mention it to your doctor if you are high risk though.

 

[Independent Gal]

Personally, I wouldn''t go to Cambodia, but would have no qualms about going to France! If you can get a direct flight and your on the east coast, it''s only about 6 hrs flying time there, and 7 or so back.

 

[Kay]

Thanks for all the responses. Unfortunately, I am on the West Coast, so it would be 14 hours over and 19 hours back (thanks to a lovely 6-hour layover in Cleveland). Paris in July could be pretty hot, so I might be miserable. On the other hand, we probably won''t get to take a lengthy European vacation again for a long while after the little one arrives. I might be crazy, but I think I am going to go for it.

 

[Kay]

Date: 3/3/2008 7:29:38 PM
Author: curlygirl
Kay, I think you''ll be fine--it will actually not be the worst time for you to travel! My doctor says to stop traveling at 36 weeks if you''re having an uncomplicated pregnancy so barring any unforeseen circumstances, you should be ok. I traveled all through my last pregnancy up until 32 weeks and this time around, I''ve already gone on 2 trips at 6 and 7 weeks and will be going away again next week. We plan to take a few more trips before the new baby arrives as well.

You just need to make sure you stay hydrated and get up and walk around the plane a few times to keep your circulation going. I think it will be great to go to France but as you mentioned, the worst part will be avoiding the yummy cheeses and wine! Although if I were you, at that point in the pregnancy I''d probably indulge in a little wine!

As you said, this will be a slow paced trip so as long as you''re not running yourself ragged with touring, sightseeing, etc., I think you should take the trip and enjoy yourself! And just think, you can take cool preggo photos and one day show your baby that he/she has already been to France!

Yes, I probably will have the occasional glass or half glass -- I just can''t consume the mass quantities of the fabulous stuff that I usually would. On our last trip, we had a bottle a day with either lunch or dinner, sometimes both.

I am such a wino, being good for 8 months is going to kill me.

When I met with my primary care physician 2 months ago, I asked if I had to stop drinking completely since we were TTC. She said not to worry about moderate consumption (1-2 glasses a few times a week) until we knew it had happened. She also said it was okay to have on occasional glass during pregnancy, but people might give me dirty looks.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Oh make sure you get an aisle seat. Trust me, you will be going to the bathroom frequently!!! Oh, and that IS a good point about being careful about what you eat. Ask your doc for a detailed "no no" list.

 

[lover in athens]

Hi!
I am in almost the exact same position. I found out that I was pregnant last week (yippee), and although it is still VERY early, my EDD is 11/11/08. DH and I have been planning a big trip to Bali in August for a long time. If all goes well, I will be 28 weeks at that time. It is a LONG trip and makes me nervous, but i really want to go. I talked about it briefly with my dr, and she said that it should be ok. What she suggested is printing out and bringing with me ALL of my medical records, and perhaps finding and researching the nearest hospital/OB prior to going. If only for my piece of mind!
We haven''t bought our tickets yet, but I think we will and of course, buy travel insurance!
Good luck!