We just got back from our babymoon! It’s crazy to think it’s over so fast. My dream was to get out of the country, since I love to travel, and I don’t know the next time we’ll have the chance. We decided to go to the Caribbean, and bought an all-inclusive trip through a Groupon.
Let’s just say, we booked the trip in a rush, and it wasn’t until a week before that the pregnancy paranoia hit – suddenly everything that could go wrong, would go wrong, in my mind. Luckily I had a number of friends, including some who had been, who encouraged me that my paranoid notions weren’t valid. With some simple precautions, we would be perfectly safe and healthy.
So while I still had a few “WHAT WAS I THINKING?!?!” moments, we did get to go, and I even got to relax a little and enjoy the trip 🙂 I’m actually now very glad we did it. But of course, things are a little different when you travel pregnant anyways. I love to travel, so I didn’t have too much of a problem, but I did spot some helpful things that will get you through even easier while prego.
1 – Do the research on your destination – before you book the trip.
Obviously I failed this step, and found myself paranoid and terrified the week before. We ended up being absolutely fine, but I think more prep would have kept me from losing my mind.
2 – Groupon it up!
We got a resort stay for two for five days, all-inclusive, with airfare at a great price. The most difficult part was working with the travel agency, but otherwise, it was pretty great.
3 – Pack a carry-on suitcase.
Save yourself the stress and extra cost of checking a bag.
4 – Check in to your flight online ahead of time.
We were able to walk right past the looong ticket line, and get through security ahead of the crowd.
5 – Comfortable shoes are your best friends!
I brought my new red Keds boaters with cushy support, my trusty Mary Jane Crocs (I don’t care what anyone says, these shoes are so great, and even look a little classier than the regular Crocs.), and my new amazing Sanuk flip flops, with a yoga mat sole. I used these three, and loved them, all vacation.
6 – Don’t go through the full-body scanner.
Avoid it by taking the metal detector (much lower risk to baby), or by getting the pat-down security check. I know, not the most pleasant experience, but I much preferred it to a full-body x-ray at who-knows-what risk to Baby.
7 – Keep moving.
Stretch when you can, walk in the airport, and – if you want to really feel like a dork – do in-seat exercises on the plane. It sounds a little extreme, but it avoids blood clots in your legs. The ones above happened to be in the in-flight magazine, and they definitely helped when I didn’t want to wake up the elderly man who was sleeping in the aisle seat just so I could walk around.
8 – Pack snacks.
You never know when hunger will strike, or when the food looks questionable and you have few options.
9 – Bring hand sanitizer and Lysol wipes.
No one wants to get sick on vacation.
10 – Prepare accordingly for your trip.
I should have picked a higher SPF for the Caribbean! And we were glad to have bug spray! Also, figure out what you’ll need to do/not do while there. We found out we should only be drinking bottled water, and even use it to brush our teeth, rather than using the tap.
11 – Everything in moderation.
Don’t overdo the sunshine, exotic fruit, time spent on your feet, etc. Usually people get so excited on vacation that they go wild with everything, and feel like they have to soak up every minute. Take a break, and a nap!
12 – Chalk some things up to the hormones and try to stay calm.
I seriously almost flipped my lid when things got crazy. (Like our flight flying in circles to avoid a storm and then taking a good hour to land and get to a gate. Or the woman sitting in front of us with the screaming child in the middle of the night.) Take a deep breath. It will all be okay.
13 – Relax!
Let go of the things you can’t control, do your best with what you can, and enjoy the time with your hubby and with Baby before he or she comes 🙂
I have lots more helpful ideas in my Travel Tips and Tricks post! Check it out.
Thanks for sharing those tips! It can really be a little uncomfortable to travel when you’re expecting. There’s a lot of things you have to consider, because you have to take care of your baby as well. I’m glad that you’re able to deal with those woes and could enjoy traveling. Anyways, take care!
Shaun Caldwell @ AARC Host Agency