Have bump will travel. But read our must-do’s (and don’ts) for going away in pregnancy first....
Being pregnant doesn’t have to mean the end of far-flung trips to exotic locations or romantic staycations. Actually, pregnancy can be the perfect time to indulge in one final holiday fling before the little one arrives and changes holidays, as you know them, for a while.
Read on for Mother&Baby’s ultimate guide to travelling for two.
Take your hospital notes
Chances are nothing will go wrong while you’re away, but if for any reason you do have to do an emergency dash to the hospital, having your notes with you will make being seen and getting treatment that little bit easier.
Oh, it and wouldn’t do any harm to find out where the local medical centre is either, you know #justincase
Don’t cut it fine
The whole point of a ‘babymoon’ is to enjoy some stress-free down time before the chaos descends fun begins, so the last thing you want to do is be that person who gets the ‘last call for passenger Mr and Mrs Bloggs’ over the intercom or having to hoist your bump as you pound the platform to catch your train.
So leave plenty of time, not least for toilet stops on a long car journey. Never thought you’d be so grateful to see a loo in the Little Chef did you?
Don’t be afraid to take it easy
You might be tempted to pack-in a detailed itinerary, but remember to listen to your body and your bump. Rest when you’re tired – even if that means hitting the sack at 6.30pm and if there’s something you don’t think you can manage don’t even attempt it.
At the very least taking it easy is an excuse to have a restoratory decaf latte in the local coffee shop. Ah, that’s better.
Plan carefully
Check your travel insurance covers pregnant women and pregnancy complications and if it doesn’t, get one that does.
And if you’re planning on flying check the airline’s stipulations on travel – most will let you travel until you’re 32 weeks but it’s worth checking just in case.
If you’re flying long haul wear flight socks to reduce your risk of thrombosis – pregnant women are more at risk due to increased pressure in the veins in your legs.
Think about when to travel
The first 12 weeks of pregnancy can pass in a blur of nausea and exhaustion, while the third trimester can leave you feeling bloated and uncomfortable, so often the best time to go on a bump break can be in the second trimester, when, in theory, you might be feeling a little better.
Don’t hold us to that though.
Don’t pack light (when it comes to snacks and comfy shoes)
As any mum can vouch for, there is literally nothing worse than being hungry when you’re pregnant, so make sure you leave space in your case for your snack of choice.
OK, so it’s likely there will be food where you’re going, but if there’s something you’ve been craving, you don’t want to go without.
Oh and comfy shoes kinda goes without saying, unless you want to risk unsavoury (and possibly painful) cankles when you’re walking around. No, didn’t think so.
Make a can’t-do list
We don’t want to come over all mid-wifey about it, and much as you might want to make like your non-pregnant alter ego, there are a few things you should really avoid, for example, anything where you can fall (that’s mountain climbing out then, shame!).
Plus, hot-tubs, saunas and whirlpool baths are all off limits and make sure you’re over 13 weeks for a pregnancy massage.
Oh and try to avoid going anywhere you need to have injections. If in doubt check with your GP.
Did you have a babymoon? Let us know below.