Post # 1
Member
1732 posts
Bumble bee
Hello bees! I would love some babymoon advice!! We originally had a cruise planned to celebrate our 1 year wedding anniversary / DH’s 30th birthday this fall, but we have an unexpected arrival due 9 days before the boat is supposed to set sail. Needless to say, the cruise has to be cancelled. BUT – I would still love to take a trip sometime before our Baby Bean is due to arrive in October and I would love some advice:
(1) Where are some great babymoon destinations – domestic or international?
(2) How far along in the pregnancy should we plan babymoon for? Timing?
(3) What are some other tips / tricks I should know when planning?
If it helps, we’re located in the Southeast region of the US. If you went on a babymoon, let me know where you went and how your experience was!!
Post # 2
Member
9279 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
We took several shorter domestic trips up until the third trimester, but our big babymoon was nearly a month in Europe (France/Italy/Croatia/Greece) in November, when I was 21-24 weeks. It was originally a belated 10-year anniversary trip, but turned into a babymoon when we found out I was pregnant.
It was perfect timing, I felt great. Weather was probably cooler than most people would like (especially in Paris/the Loire Valley), but Darling Husband and I both love cooler temps, so it worked out great for us. Only real downside was I didn’t look pregnant at all so people kept asking us if we were on our honeymoon instead! 😛
Post # 3
Member
2439 posts
Buzzing bee
My friends went to Belize when she was 6 or 7 months pregnant. I think you want to have a relatively short flight if possible, and plenty of time to relax.
I’m 8.5 weeks pregnant and we’re going to Portugal for 2 weeks, on Sunday! Trip was planned before I got pregnant… Luckily I feel pretty decent, although I’m anxious that that means that something is wrong – first ultrasound this Thursday. The main downside is that I can’t drink Spanish wine and eat ALL the seafood, and I’m not so sure about the whale-watching trip we had planned, but we’re excited to get in one last international trip before the baby changes things! Our work are both really busy in the summer so we won’t be able to do a later babymoon.
Post # 4
Member
1158 posts
Bumble bee
Second trimester is probably your best bet. Morning sickness and fatigue will have hopefully worn off, energy levels back up, and you aren’t hugely uncomfortable yet.
We went to Disney World when I was 18 weeks pregnant…had the tripped already planned before I was pregnant, so it wasn’t my first choice for a babymoon but just kind of worked out that way. I probably wouldn’t recommend there just because there are so many rides you can’t do while pregnant, so that’s not really my idea of a good time lol.
Some place where you can have the option to keep things low key and relaxed if you want or need to is good. Personally I’d also take into consideration the distance away from home (long flight or car ride doesn’t sound appealing to me although I know others have done it without issue).
Post # 5
Member
541 posts
Busy bee
We’ve done a couple trips while pregnant. For me, I was sick the first 8-10 weeks, and then I’m always uncomfortable the last 2-3 mos, so second trimester has been the sweet spot. I agree with everyone else- relaxing is the key. Post kids, I’d kill for some beach time where I can just read a book or sleep in without needing to get up to take care of someone else so go somewhere relaxing and enjoy!!
Post # 6
Member
1193 posts
Bumble bee
We want to have a babymoon too! We got engaged in August and planned our wedding for January 2019. Then we found out that we’re baking a pre-marital bun, due in October. We probably won’t be able to take a honeymoon with a three-month-old so we’d like to do something before the baby comes.
Post # 7
Member
211 posts
Helper bee
My SIL flew from New Hampshire to Hawaii when she was in her second trimester. She had to walk every hour on the flight, so she didn’t get much sleep while traveling. She also couldn’t go in the hot tub or do any of the big expeditions, but she said she had a really good time lounging by the pool/beach and just hanging out for 10 days.
Post # 8
Member
438 posts
Helper bee
We are planning our babymoon when I am 27 weeks to Great Smokey Mountain National park. Most of what I saw/read suggested mid-second trimester to go, late enough you feel better but not so close to due that you feel like a blimp.
We are going camping and plan to do short hikes and walking stuff. Less adventurous than we normally do for vacation but I figure we can do more if I feel like it, or set up our camp chairs and enjoy sitting by the river at our campsite if I dont.
We really aren’t “sit on the beach and do nothing” people so for us, that narrowed down the traditional babymoon locations. We also decided against a big, expensive international trip right before baby just due to cost. So we decided to go somewhere we hadn’t been but was also a fairly reasonable drive distance.
Post # 9
Member
3008 posts
Sugar bee
bluecutie00 : Sure. I traveled a bunch while pregnant (Washington, Utah, Colorado, Hawaii) and never had any problems. With my second baby, we went to Hawaii when I was 34-35 weeks. You can go anywhere you feel comfortable (I mean, I wouldn’t go to Everest base camp, or places with malaria or Zika, or that are politically unstable….).
1) Anywhere, pretty much….
2) Like others have said, second trimester is usually when you’re the most comfortable and feel the best, but you can usually go anytime before 36 weeks unless something comes up.
3) Compression socks are great for the plane, drink lots of water, and have fun!
Post # 10
Member
862 posts
Busy bee
I wish the word ‘babymoon’ didn’t have to be a thing. Anuyway, sorry about that – your question!
After 2 late 2nd trimester losses I personally wouldn’t feel comfortable traveling overseas while pregnant…but I know heaps of people that do it and have no issues whatsoever and a lovely time.
2nd trimester is the safest time to do a trip in terms of how you’re feeling and the risk of miscarriage goes way down. If you are nauseated you might struggle with a long plane ride, and it can be uncomfortable if you are getting up to pee a lot – request an aisle seat. I would go somewhere where there is lots to do and see – shopping, museums, shows, bands, etc. as a lot of holidays can revolve around drinks and that is quite boring for someone pregnant! When I was pregnant Darling Husband and I stayed in some lovely local hotels. It was simple and fun experiencing our own city as tourists. 🙂
Post # 11
Member
781 posts
Busy bee
We travelled to Moscow (found out the morning of the flight I was pregnant – that was a nauseating flight) and Miami (2nd trimester) and I’d say the 2nd trimester is a better time to travel. Stay clear of Zika and choose a low risk/impact travel itinerary. After traveling a lot through Europe while not pregnant and having the experience of traveling while pregnant Id say that even though I didn’t do it myself I think it’s a nice destination for this type of thing. Oh and get some compression socks for the flight and stay hydrated!
Post # 12
Member
1732 posts
Bumble bee
TheGridMonster : LOL. That’s a good problem to have – it means you two still look young and fabulous after 10 years. Congrats on that! And Thanks for the good advice!!
KittyYogi : You get to see baby in just 1 more day though! Ahhh, I’m wondering if I should still go international (but now I’m paranoid about leaving the state’s due to Zika, although I know not everywhere has it 😔)
panda_bear3 : Definitely has to be after the first trimester. I’m so sick right now! R&R sounds great – maybe like an all inclusive resort. The problem is my Darling Husband loves activities. He can hardly sit still for a minute. Lol
cclarkrun1 : Yes, an R&R trip sounds really nice.
PrincessPeach13 : I remember your story! How are you and Crumb feeling? Have you decided on any potential babymoon spots yet?
Post # 13
Member
1732 posts
Bumble bee
queenbatgirl : Hawaii sounds AMAZING, I haven’t been there yet.
hannahshope : That sounds like a trip my hubby would like. After 5 minutes of relaxation, he’s over it. On our honeymoon, we were going to bed at 4am and he was up like clockwork at 7am ready to start the day and run me ragged again lol.
MrsAKSkier : Love the compression socks idea – thanks for that tip!
Bunnyang : Sorry to hear about your losses – I understand not wanting to travel while pregnant after that. I love the tip about the aisle seat though, good call!
drdeebee : Another vote for Europe and compression socks! I’m going to check into it. Where in Europe did you go, if you don’t mind divulging?
Post # 14
Member
9279 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
bluecutie00 : well thanks, but no congrats warranted—we got together as teenagers so we better still look young and fabulous for a long long while.
Post # 15
Member
1193 posts
Bumble bee
bluecutie00 :
Crumb and I are doing well. I’m having my ultrasound today so Fiance and I will finally be able to see it 🙂
Definitely somewhere tropical. We wanted Thailand for our honeymoon but, now being pregnant, 21 straight hours of travel sounds like an absolutely terrible idea. The Northern Lights have been on my bucket list since I knew what they were but I doubt Fiance will want to go somewhere cold.
My mom told us to use one of the getaways that she has as part of her timeshare to save money and stay somewhere nice. I think that’s a nice idea so we’ll probably go through the book to see where we can stay.
How about you? Have you picked a spot yet?
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