to travel abroad or not to travel abroad....that is the question

[evjolin]

sooo.....the same amazing resort my husband and i went to for our honeymoon is having a sale this week, and i am seriously thinking of planning a surprise 5th anniversary/babymoon for us there.

i am kind of concerned though about being in mexico while pregnant. thoughts? we didn't get any special vaccinations last time we went. the place is very very nice, and about 15 minutes from playa del carmen, so would be near a city with doctors should anything happen.

depending on when we go, i would be somewhere between 28-30 weeks during the vacation.

would you go??? do you think it is too risky?? i'm obviously going to call my midwife, but it could be awhile before i hear back from her.....

[MaerynPearl]

I personally would not... but that is me. I just would not feel comfortable leaving the country at that point... mexico, canada, europe... doesnt matter... but as I said, that is me and my own comfort level.

I would definitely hear your midwife out though... I am planning an 1100 mile move at 30 weeks and if my doctor says its a no-go for a road trip, I will listen to her. She already knows about my plans to do so and will be helping me to get ready for it and stay as healthy as possible between now and then to ensure that I do get to make the move.

[Buzzer Beater]

I would go in a second. In fact, I'm leaving for Belize on Saturday. I've been to Playa del Carmen/Cancun/Tulum area several times and never had any type of vax. It's perfectly safe. Talk to your doctor about precautionary ideas if you're worried, as he or she will know if there are any kind of outbreaks anywhere.

[BeckiB]

I'd probably go, if the midwife gave a thumbs up.

[evjolin]

yep, they called me back and said to have fun! wooohooo! now if i can just get a plan together.....and renew my passport....

[luckysgirl]

I'd go.

ETA: Have fun!

[Buzzer Beater]

evjolin, I just renewed my passport and was in a panic about getting it back in time. It only took ten days, I couldn't believe it!

[SunRise]

Yeah, I would go!

[starkyld]

International travel during the early third trimester to a resort, sure. Second trimester might be better, but I'd do it.

I did travel to a small Caribbean island in the first trimester for fieldwork and it was ROUGH on me--I was continually nauseated, got eaten alive by mosquitos, didn't tolerate my antimalarials well, and was scared to eat almost any of the food. Then again, I wasn't at a resort and didn't have most of the comforts of conventional Western travel (plus I was by myself and got stranded).

Your situation sounds potentially much more relaxing.

[pacificbliss]

Assuming the pg has been uneventful in any negative way I would totally go.

[jecombs]

I would be uncomfortable going... but that's not to say you shouldn't go! I had issues with premature labor during my last pregnancy and I was soooo glad I was at home, close to my MWs and my hospital. I also had a friend from my birthing class who ended up giving birth to a premature baby while "on vacation" at the beach, about 8 hrs away from home. It was terrible for her and her DH. Their daughter was in the hospital, unable to travel, for about a month before they could get home. They also had pets that needed to be cared-for and her DH had a job (luckily he kept it!) and they needed the income from it. It was a huge strain on them.

My advice: go, have fun, but plan carefully for any "what-ifs" that might happen while you're there.

[osker]

We're going to Mexico at 18 weeks! We told our midwife about it this week and she said she's going to the same place one month earlier!! How's that for coincidence?!?! She said go, have fun, relax, enjoy!!

So, I would say, yep, I would do it!

[BaaBaa]

i would go.

i traveled from Europe to the usa to visit my family at 3 months, then to central america at 5 months. i backpacked nicaragua, costa rica, and panama, camping until 8 months. then we stayed in a rental house and had dd in costa rica.

it was so wonderful to be away together with dh, in the sun, good food, just to be happy and healthy. people have babes all over the world. and are pregnant everywhere.

[Pippi L.]

The travel insurance I looked into last time I was pregnant didn't cover anything pregnancy related in the third trimester. So it was out for me. I didn't even go to my grandma's funeral in the States because there was no way in the world I wanted to get stuck with American medical bills if something went wrong. So check your insurance before you make any decisions!

That said, in my second trimester I was perfectly happy to walk across rural Spain with my mom. My insurance covered that Any way you can go a few weeks earlier?

[noobmom]

How far along are you now? If it were already booked and I was feeling good, I'd go. But I wouldn't book a trip that far in advance when I knew I was going to be 30 weeks because I don't do well pregnant. This pregnancy I had morning sickness until 30 weeks and I would have been miserable traveling.

I did take a trip in early pregnancy--thankfully, the morning sickness didn't kick in until a week or two later.

[prone_to_wander]

I would do it, but I would make sure you had insurance that would cover you. http://www.worldnomads.com/ I've used these guys and they have a pretty good policy for pregnancy. I'd double check what it is the cut off date for your country.

[tigress]

I assume you have heard back from MW by now, but just want to add my 2 cents. I went to Cancun while pregnant and it was great. I did get a little diarrhea (from eating off resort, but it was worth it!), but no big deal. I was only about 20 weeks though. I would definitely not go at 28-30 weeks. The flight from where I live was about 5 hours and I swore I would never fly again in pregnancy--and I was only 20 weeks. I am not sure I could tolerate a 1 hour flight right now (27 weeks). Lo and behold this pregnancy I also found myself travelling in the 2nd trimester, although this time at about 24 weeks and much further with two overnight flights, and must say that the long flights were some of the worst experiences of my life. So I guess it depends on how long the flight is, how old you are (I'm 32 and in good, healthy shape), how well you tolerate flying (my personal definition of hell is now flying in prenancy), and ultimately what your MW says.

[moonglowmama]

My advice refers to the flying. make sure you stay REALLY well hydrated. Flying is very dehydrating, especially on a longer flight. I recently flew to see a friend (at 33 weeks) and it took me about 2 days after I got there to be hydrated again, and that was with drinking 3 liters of water during the traveling itself.

And, of course, remember to move about every hour or so and to wiggle toes, and roll ankles to prevent a blood clot from forming.

Have fun! I bet you'll look back at that time as a really fun part of your pregnancy.