Traveling to the Carribbean while pregnant - reality check

[Anonymous]

I'll certainly ask my doctor at the next visit.. but just looking for your thoughts/experiences... would you travel to the Carribbean at 27 weeks pregnant? Of course, our family has just announced our Christmas gift this year is a big family trip to Turks and Caicos.. but I haven't told them yet I'm pregnant -- and the trip will be when I'm 27 weeks. Have you done a big trip like that at 27 weeks (or later).. or would you?

Obviously, assuming all is well and I am having a healthy pregnancy!

Thanks! It's been a while since I was pregnant last, so I'm just trying to get my head around it!

[Anonymous]

YES!!! I did it at 10 weeks, but I would definitely do it anytime before my 3rd trimester. We did get "out of country" medical insurance, which included a maternity provision as well as a "medical evacuation" provision, just as a precaution. I think it was about $80 for a 1-week trip. Obviously didn't need it, but it provided a lot of peace of mind.

Have fun!! We are heading to T&C in April without our 2 year old!! Can't wait!

[Anonymous]

I'm 27 weeks pregnant now, and I would love it...I'm not feeling big and uncomfortable yet, so a vacation would be good. The flight isn't long, right? Just make sure you walk a lot on the plane and keep really really well hydrated. You may want to look up the numbers of some doctors on the island and talk to your hotel about having a doctor on call.

[Anonymous]

I went to Grand Bahama around 22 weeks but having been to Turks and Caicos, I would feel totally comfortable there as well, later in pregnancy too. Some smaller islands are farther from real medical care but not there.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely not, at 27 weeks your baby is viable and the last thing you want is to be stuck there wtih the baby in the NICU. If you dont think it can happen to you...it can, I went into early labor on a trip thousands of miles from home. Had to "move" there for the entire time our child was in the NICU. It is just not worth it.

[Anonymous]

I flew to Ireland at 25 weeks-- it was totally fine. I was a bit uncomfortable sitting for that long on the plane, but Turks and Caicos is not as long of a flight.

[Anonymous]

I went to Jamaica, Cayman Islands and the BVI at 27 weeks and had a great time.

Enjoy!

[Anonymous]

I considered this at 29 weeks and ultimately went to miami instead. in retrospect it would have been fine but I didn't want to take the risk, and I'm not sorry. Any chance the trip could be to somewhere mainland US where you can get immediate and good medical care if you need it?

[Anonymous]

I did this at 27 weeks. It was a wonderful vacation and so nice to get away. My OBGYN thought it was fine for me to go but I did worry just a tad while I was there.... I think I would have preferred to be somewhere knowing there was a reasonably decent hospital, just in case. But I had a smooth pregancy (knock on wood).

[Anonymous]

OP, I do suggest getting a copy of your pregnancy records just before you go. I did that when I went four hours away and was nearing delivery, just so everything would be right there if you needed it.

[Anonymous]

Yes. After all, they do have maternity facilities there as well. Buy medical coverage if you feel unsure.

[Anonymous]

I did it ~25 weeks. Was feeling good and having an easy pregnancy. It was awesome to kick back, swim, snorkel, SLEEP.

[Anonymous]

We went to Rome when I was 30 weeks preg. No problems.

I walked my ass off (we walked everywhere!) so I was really tired at the end of the day, but it was a great time.

I had an easy preg. so I felt great - traveling/airplane ride included.

[Anonymous]

Just went to Puerto Rico at 32 weeks and it was great, once I got over my self-consciousness in a bathing suit Assuming your pregnancy is healthy up until that point, the odds of delivering at 27 weeks are very very slim.

At any time in your life, you could break your leg, have a brain aneurysm, get hit by a bus, etc. and require emergency medical treatment. If I lived my life worrying about all of these things, I would stay home all the time. As long as your doctor is on board (which I'm sure s/he will be if all is good up until then) I say get out and do it--who knows when you'll have the chance again?

Only reason I would not go is if you are the type of person who will stress so much while you are there that it will make your family CRAZY. (And you know who you are.....)

[Anonymous]

I would go for it! I traveled to Punta Canta at 30 weeks. Bought the medical coverage as others mentioned - peace of mind. They certainly don't have ideal medical care, but everything was fine. Be honest with your doctor, and if there is any reason to cancel...be prepared to do it. BUT, that's a great time for a get away...once the baby comes, those types of trips are more difficult to pull off.