beachgirl86

Hi everyone

DH and I recently found out that we are expecting our first baby, and he/she is due the week of Thanksgiving. Needless to say, we are THRILLED beyond belief, and now I'm looking for advice from my Fodor's friends!

We have been to Hawaii the past 3 summers, and have visited the 4 major islands all at least once. We go for 2 weeks, and usually spend 1 week each on 2 different islands.

We have already purchased our plane tickets for this summer, and plan on going as long as everything is healthy and safe with my pregnancy. However, it is a LONG flight from Boston, and we will be in coach on US Air/America West.

My question is this -- being 25-26 weeks pregnant and taking such a long flight from Boston to Hawaii, would you advise 1 island for the full 2 weeks, or our usual plan of 2 islands for 1 week each? We love all the islands, and hope to continue traveling there once our little one is born, but this will obviously be our last trip there alone for awhile! If we did do just one island for the full 2 weeks, it would most likely be Maui...

Thanks in advance for any tips, experiences, or points of view!

gail

Congrats on pregnancy. That is a really, really long flight pregnant. And that is not even taking into consideration any possible pregnancy limitations - not necessarily complications but things like elevating your feet because you are retaining fluid, etc.

Any chance someone will give you a baby shower where the gift will be upgrade to business or first class?

highflyer

Congratulations but I suggest you do some more research and see how your pregnancy progresses.

If you decide to fly then first check with the airline. Some only allow pregnant women up to 26 weeks for flights longer than 5 hours. You'll be 27-28weeks on your return flight?! (Be aware that your flight is longer than an average labor!). Most airlines will not allow you to fly at 36 weeks.
Why do airlines impose these restrictions? They obviously don't want women giving birth on the plane!

beachgirl86

Of course I will only travel if things are healthy and well with my pregnancy, and my doctor okays it! I have already checked with the airline, and there are no restrictions at this point in a pregnancy. The flight is about 10-11 hours with 1 layover. I will return Aug. 18, and the baby isn't due until Nov. 20.

jcb

Congrats beachgirl!! I know everyone's pregnancys are different, but I (and all of my friends too) always felt GREAT during my second trimesters. IMO, I would stick to your one week per island plan.

As for your flight, just drink plenty of water and walk around every hour or so (which won't be a problem since you'll probably have to go to the bathroom that often).

I went to St. John at 28 weeks pregnant (much shorter flight than you), and I hiked, snorkled, swam, etc and had a blast!

Have fun!!

beachgirl86

jcb: Thanks for your tips and experiences, I appreciate it! Sounds like you had a wonderful time in St. John!

sherrie

Beachgirl: Can you possibly upgrade to first class? You've probably already thought of that, but that would be my recommendation. For more leg room. My legs were the only issue I had during my pregnancy, as the previous poster stated, retaining fluid. Make sure you keep hydrated and walk around and you should be fine. As far as one or two islands? I'd say two, but I wouldn't plan on doing a lot of hiking or snorkeling. Just take it easy and enjoy the peace and quiet that will end in November. Your vacations will forever be changed (for the good, but they will definately be less relaxing).

karameli

Hi beachgirl,

Congrats on the baby and the trip -- double the fun!

Second trimester is the safest time to fly. You're just on the cusp, so make sure your doctor gives the go-ahead....but I'm sure you've already considered that!

As far as how many islands, I think it depends on how tired you are. The inter-island flights don't go up to full cruising altitude, so it's less stress on your body. But if you're in desperate need of some pre-baby relaxation, and since you've seen all the islands, it might be nice to pick a favorite and explore it at a leisurely pace. You can always bring the kid(s) back in a couple of years for an island-hopping trip.

bobludlow

The difference between one island and two islands is a 30 minute inter-island flight (plus an hour layover, packing and unpacking, returning/picking up a rental car, etc.). That doesn't sound to onerous to me - especially if you make your husband do all of the work. Just fly into one of the islands from the mainland and out of another (Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island have the most long-haul trans-pacific flights).

Have fun!

saxbe

Congrats, Beachgirl! DH and I returned from Maui in February with a little souvenir of our own, and we're expecting the week of November 11! You answered a lot of my questions, so I wanted to offer congratulations!

MaureenB

We have enjoyed two weeks on the Big Island, about three different visits done that way. We usually stay one week at a big resort a bit north (like the Mauna Lani), then we move to a small condo complex a bit south of Kona (Sea Village). That way, we experience two areas of the same island. I know it's a quick inter-island flight, but it's a hassle to return a rental car, get a new one, etc. Takes a lot more time than just driving to a different location on the same island. We've been to all the islands, too, but have liked the diversity of the Big Island best.

Best wishes with your pregnancy. You're due on my birthday-- Nov 20!
>-

DMG

Mazel Tov.

If you like Maui, how about one week at Kapalua and one at Wailea? Two different experniences only a car-ride away!

beachgirl86

Thanks, everyone! I really enjoy reading about other people's experiences and seeing what advice you all have to offer. I will surely be looking into all of your suggestions! I had my 1st appt. this morning, and the doctor's office okayed me to fly up to 34 weeks, and told me to go on all my scheduled trips and enjoy them!

saxbe: Congrats on your pregnancy as well! Looks like our lives will be changing around the same time in Nov.! Check out the baby boards at www.thenest.com if you are interested in pregnancy chat boards.

allisonandryan

Hi beachgirl

I took 3 long trips while pregnant--one from San Francisco to Orlando when I was 10 weeks, then from SF to St. Thomas, USVI when I was about 18 weeks and then from SF to Paris (returning from London) when I was 28 weeks. This was before my first baby and I was in coach on all 3 trips. Just drink lots of water and walk around every hour or so. You will be fine. I would still do the 2 islands--it shouldn't tire you out too much. We are leaving from SF to Maui in 2 weeks and I will be travelling with a 2 and a 3 year old--now that is something that I am really worried about! Have fun!

suze

If you like to do 2 islands each trip, and your health is good, I don't see why you wouldn't do what you usually do


That said, I prefer 1 island for 2 weeks because it is more relaxing. I don't like to pack up and move mid-way just when I'm getting comfortable. But that's just me.

beachgirl86

Suze: I agree with you...after 3 trips to the islands, we are starting to lean towards the idea that 1 island for 2 weeks is the ultimate relaxation!

allisonandryan: I appreciate your experiences and tips! We just got back from Turks and Caicos, and that was easy because it was a 3 hour flight, and I was only 9 weeks along (almost 11 now). My other 2 trips this year planned for summer (London/Paris and Hawaii) have me a little more nervous as they are longer flights and I will be farther along in this pregnancy. I have been looking into closer/easier options for vacation this summer in case we decide to do those trips next year with the baby (have been to Paris and Hawaii before). My plan is to wait and see how I feel when the summer begins before making any decisions one way or the other. But, reading your posts about all your pregnant travel was great! GL in Maui with the 2 little ones, I would be interested in your trip report when you return as we hope to continue traveling with our little one

famouschinesec

You might want to think about purchasing some travel insurance just in case. Might be worth $200 for the peace of mind of having trip interruption/cancellation protection. Other than that you should do fine.

erdockac

hi:

What is the concern about 2 islands? If you are going to fly all the way to Hawaii, the inter-island flight isn't really the issue. You will be uncomfortable on the flight going and coming, but the little puddle jumper and packing and changing locations really shouldn't be affected by being pregnant much. Congratulations! I'm due with our first October 23rd. We jsut got back from a great week on Grand Cayman, but we love Hawaii. If you are considering BI, just remember that you aren't supposed to breathe the fumes at certain locations around the volcanoes, so that would be better for another trip.
Kristen

beachgirl86

erdockac: Congrats to you, too! You are about a month ahead of me! We have been to Hawaii 3 times, so I was just wondering if it would be more relaxing to just sit on 1 island for 2 weeks, that's all, since we have seen a lot there already, and I will probably be tired after that long flight!

How did you like Grand Cayman? That is one of our options in case we decide to do a shorter trip than Hawaii. It's also an option for a vaca next year with the baby. Thanks!

erdockac

Hi:

We really enjoyed Grand Cayman. The water was beautiful and calm and it seemed like a great place to take kids. There were plenty on our flights, of all ages. It was the first island in the Cairbbean I've been to where I felt safe the entire time I was there. In Aruba when we were down in the city I felt like I had to keep looking over my shoulder, not so in Grand Cayman. We plan on returning. We are heading to Hilton Head in a month and then to Sante Fe for a wedding in August (I'll be about 29 weeks then), so as you can see I plan on continuing to travel as long as my OB says its Ok and I'm feeling OK. I may be naive, but my philosophy is I'm pregant, not an invalid. Happy travels!
Kristen