A trend of “babymooning” (taking a pre-baby holiday getaway) is on the rise. With the purpose of providing comfort and relaxation to pregnant mothers-to- be and their partners, this trend is here to stay. However, international travel late in your pregnancy can be risky, so here are six babymooning tips:
1. Seek advice before you leave
Before you book, it’s a good idea to first talk to your doctor about your trip. If you need any vaccinations, you may be posing harm to your baby so you should confirm the requirements of your destination before you leave. Also, you may end up being too far along to be allowed to travel on a long haul flight by the time you leave so it’s a smart idea to get approval first. Another thing to consider is the general safety of the location you’re planning on visiting. Check a government site like Smart Traveller for a better idea of possible risks.
2. Don’t be too adventurous
Your babymoon probably isn’t the best time for you to try extreme sports! High-risk activities such as skydiving, skiing, scuba diving, or even hiking, might not be as fun as you expect. Studies also show that other activities that involve extreme temperatures (such as saunas or spas) may also potentially cause harm to your baby. These activities can push your body past its limit and you might end up injuring yourself or your baby – not worth it.
3. Carry a doctor’s letter
Although your airline might not require you to have a letter from your doctor declaring you safe to travel, it’s still a good idea to take one just in case. If your travel plans are interrupted and you’re forced to switch flights you could face a flight ban if you’re in your third trimester and don’t have a letter. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
4. Find the balance
Even though you might not be able to be as adventurous as you may like, it’s still important to keep active. If you’re taking transport from one place to another (like a short ferry or train ride), try to do small exercises like circling your ankles as you go. It’s a good idea to walk around on longer plane and train rides if you can but pregnancy can make you a little unstable so it doesn’t need to be extensive. It’s also important to make sure you get enough rests through the day – try to find a balance.
5. Make sure you’re covered
Many travel insurers should still cover you if you’re pregnant, although it does often depend on how far along you are in your pregnancy. When purchasing insurance, some things to consider may be whether cover prices are higher, if you’ve had a history of complications, how many babies you’re expecting, and whether you’re travelling with the approval of a doctor. Before you purchase insurance, make sure you read the product disclosure statement to see what complications will be covered if they arise whilst on your trip. If you’d like to know more information about the ins and outs of each policy, have a look at this comparison of travel insurance for pregnancy.
6. Keep necessities on you
Having a small pouch of medical necessities on you at all times is a good idea – even if you’re preparing for a small issue. Whether it’s something ranging from a headache or cramps to prenatal vitamins, it always helps to be prepared! Other things to consider bringing could include compression tights (for long flights) or heat beads for managing back or neck ache.
And finally, enjoy your babymoon!
ABOUT THE EXPERT
Bessie Hassan is a Money and Travel Expert at Australia’s most visited financial comparison site, finder.com.au.
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