Traveling?

I put a call into my doctor but haven't heard back yet, so I just thought while I wait, I would get your opinions :). DH and I had an anniversary trip planned to Playa Del Carmen for our first year anniversary. I will be entering my 18th week of pregnancy at that time and I'm a little weary of traveling to Mexico while pregnant. Thoughts? Maybe we will do a cruise from NY or do someplace closer like Bermuda or Bahamas? Or would you skip a trip all together?

Traveling?

I have a cruise that was booked over 1 year ago that I will be in my 20th week for. I checked with the cruise line and I just make their cutoff (they can't allow anyone in their 24th week onboard). They also will require a letter from my doctor stating my due day, the week I will be in when traveling and that I am not a high risk pregnancy (which I'm not as far as I know). I would just check with a travel agent for any restrictions, if you do plan to go to Mexico, definitely do not drink the water (a good recommendation for anyone, prego or not).

Re: Traveling?

I'm going to preface this by saying I'm high risk and pregnant with twins...so keep all of that in mind!
I went to Hawaii at around 16/17 weeks pregnant after getting clearance from both my OB and my perinatologist. NEVER AGAIN!!! I ended up passing a clot while we were out to lunch, rushing to the ER and spending over 6 hours there trying to get answers as to what was going on (as well as being yelled at by their OB dr and basically told my dr's' were idiots for even considering letting me travel). Thank God I had a sonogram and knew babies were both ok and had heartbeats, but no one could tell me why I was bleeding!
Needless to say most of the rest of my trip was spent on strict bed rest with calls to my dr. I asked if I should come home and he told me no (he had given me the ok to go and quite bluntly told me "if something is going to happen, it's going to happen wherever you are").
That being said- the morning after I got home (got home on a sunday) I was in my dr's office getting checked. He told me someone else was asking about traveling to TX and I told him to let me talk to her!
This is going to be a personal decision--- you're going to have to go with your instincts (and ask your dr). I was told the only type of travel my dr is completely against is a cruise b/c you're in the middle of the water and are relying on the cruise ship dr for your care - and if something were to happen you'd be stuck...
Sorry- I hate posting negative things on this board. I just want you to have both sides of the coin to make your decision off of. Most people will probably reply to your post and tell you to go for it! What about doing a local get away- even w/in a few hours driving from home. Whatever you decide-I hope you have a great anniversary!

Re: Traveling?

I would wait and hear what the Dr. says. Traveling at 18w should be ok but not sure if any locations are off limits.

Re: Traveling?

we delt with the same thing, we are just 6 weeks preg, but we wanted an anniversary trip as well and we are going next week on a cruise out of NY

Traveling?

I went to Mexico at 5 weeks pregnant and then I went to Costa Rica at 22 weeks pregnant. My doctor said it was all fine, just be careful of the water and the sun. She said that if you normally wear 15 SPF, wear 30. Your skin is more sensitive. I would suggest not to plan too many excursions. Even at 5 weeks pregnant I was exhausted and could barely function when I came home because we did too much. In Costa Rica I obviously couldn't do horseback riding or ATV's or zip lining so we stayed by the pool the whole time. It was the PERFECT vacation for a pregnant person and my doctor said it was totally ok to go.

The only thing I will say is STAY HYDRATED!!!! I drink frozen drinks by the pool the whole time just to feel like it was really a vacation and not just bottles of water (drank those at night). Also, flying, my ankles BLEW UP!!!! It hurt like hell but they say to keep moving around on the plane to avoid any kind of clots. After elevating them overnight then went down both times.

Traveling?

That's my thinking is that since I'm not flying and it's a short (only 5 day) cruise, there aren't quite as many issues. We're leaving out of NY, going down to Bermuda, only 1 & 1/2 days at sea on either end, with 2 days in Bermuda. It's not like we're heading all the way down to the Caribbean with 3 days on either end out at sea. And at least I know Bermuda has decent hospitals if something does happen. I think I'll be skipping the snorkeling this time, just in case... I'll just sit on the beach with extra sunblock and my big floppy hat.

Re: Traveling?

Your doctor will know better than us about your particular situation. But it should be fine.

I had an uncomplicated pregnancy first time around and flew to London at 10 weeks and Florida at 24 weeks. I had no issues either time.

Just make sure to drink a lot of water and try to move around as much as possible on the flights.

Re: Traveling?

If you aren't high risk I see no reason not to go. I traveled at 17 weeks this pregancy and honestly, barely felt pregnant at that point even though I was showing quite a bit.

It's all about what you are comfortable with.

Re: Traveling?

I think as long as the doctor thinks it is okay, you are fine. I spent 6 weeks in Playa del Carmen a couple of years ago. It is a very nice place to visit in Mexico, and safe. I even had to go to the emergency clinics twice because I had a lung infection and a throat infection. It was super cheap, so don't be too concerned about the money if you have to go see someone for a problem, which most likely you won't. (I wasn't pregnant.) But in Playa, they are geared toward tourists, stay in the tourist area if you are concerned by Quinta avenida (5th avenue) or on the beach. We felt more than comfortable traveling around Playa not in the tourist areas too though. I was going to Spanish school there and it was much cheaper (and delicious!) to eat at the local places. You will fly into Cancun most likely and travel down to Playa, which is not too far. About an hour or less if I remember correctly. It is a relaxing, safe destination. Not all places in Mexico are as relaxing or as safe. If it were me, and I was 18 weeks along, and my doctor said it was okay, I wouldn't hesitate. Hope it works out!