Would you go to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic at 27 or 28 weeks?

[Anonymous]

Just curious. My brother and SIL have been given a free vacation from his boss to an all inclusive resort in Punta Cana but have read the US Embassy info about medical facilities there and are stressing. Anything I can tell them to help them relax or would you just not go?

[Anonymous]

Do they have to go right now or can they wait until after the baby?

We went to an all-inclusive in Punta Cana when I was 12 weeks and I regretted it because the food selection was so limited and so, so nasty! First there's the cultural taste difference --some foods were just completely unidentifiable. Then there's the fact that it all sits out in the open for hours and gets picked over by everyone in the resort. Finding something that looked or smelled fresh was a rarity. I don't recall that it ever happened during the week we were there. I didn't have any morning sickness to speak of, but just looking at the food or being near it often made me nauseous.

Fortunately, the worst that happened to me was a little constipation thanks to the dearth of fibrous food items (I eventually started swinging by the lobby every day to grab an apple from the bowl put out for arriving guests). The resort had a small building identified as a clinic, but I never saw anyone in there and wouldn't have had much confidence in whatever medical staff they did have. In any case, I came home exhuasted from being so hungry and hot all the time. I can't imagine it being much fun at 28 weeks.

Of course, every resort and every traveler is different, but I think Punta Cana is a risk for someone with a less than hardy constitution and immune system.

[Anonymous]

I haven't had very good luck with Punta Cana. The first (and only) time I went I got deathly ill from the food on the resort. We had to leave early to come back to the states.

My mother-in-law had a 3 week stay planned and also got very sick and ended up with a tapeworm infection from the resort food.

These were both *supposedly* 5 star resorts, btw.

[Anonymous]

My husband and I have been to all-inclusives in Punta Cana twice (back in 2000 and 2003) and we enjoyed it (I was not pregnant however). We found the food to be pretty good with lots of variety. I would not expect medical facilities to be adequate, however. It is a very poor area and there's really not much there other than the string of resorts on the beach..

[Anonymous]

Given the recent disaster and subsequent turmoil in neighboring Haiti, I would avoid D.R. for awhile.

[Anonymous]

If I wasn't pregnant with twins, I might consider it. But, probably not. Maybe stick to Florida or the USVI.

[Anonymous]

I absolutely would not go if I was pregnant. As a PP pointed out, they are neighbors to Haiti who is obviously a country in turmoil right now. Even if that were not happening, I would not feel confident in the medical care I could be provided should something happen. My doctor is not an alarmist by any means but he even discouraged travel to the USVI because of the medical care issue (we were not going, he was just asking about our travel plans for the nine months). Can they go another time???

[Anonymous]

Well I think that is Ok, Im Dominican and everybody tell me good stuff when was there, If for some reason you will not go I will go to my country and will be willing to buy you the vacation trip. my email is [e-mail]

[Anonymous]

Went last year for a destination wedding in my early third trimester. No problem at all, although like you I was worried. My doctor had my come in for a check up before we left just to be safe. He wasn't concerned at all.

Only downside is it's not much fun at an all inclusive if you can't drink -- although it felt fantastic floating in the pool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If I wasn't pregnant with twins, I might consider it. But, probably not. Maybe stick to Florida or the USVI.

We prefer to spend our money in FL , Puerto Rico, USVI. Pregnant with twins and 27 weeks? STAY HOME.

[Anonymous]

i went when i was 21-22 weeks prego and had a blast! even had a massage while there. food was great!! enjoy!!