Okay, I'm pregnant. Now what?
 

My husband and I were planning to travel in Italy in April/May. We just found out I'm two months pregnant. (Didn't think it would take on the first try.) Under the circumstances, I'm reluctant to travel so far (from San Francisco) and to a country where neither of us speak the language. Am I being overworried? Should we go anyway? We still intend to travel somewhere regardless. Any suggestions where? Any precautions or tips for a pregnant traveler in second trimester? Thanks for any advice.

I don't mean to sound rude, but shouldn't you be asking your OB those questions?

What, exactly, is your concert? That you're pregnant? That you're reluctant to travel? That you don't speak the language? Surely, the lobby of your OB-GYN is chock full of phamplets, and you could ask the doctor a few questions. Most women in your "condition" would have much more appealing things to do than travel...

Theresa, Of course check with your OBGYN. I doubt that he will restrict you in any way, unless you are a high risk pregnancy. By all means travel, may be the last time, for a long time, that you and your husband can share a vacation alone. Treat yourselves!! Plan your days, take advantage of the hours in the afternoon, when shop keepers close up. Rest. Only down side..no vino..next time. Hope you have a great time, drink plenty of water, enjoy each other in a beautiful country and look forward to the birth of your child. We'll be in Italy at the same time, maybe we'll bump into each other!! Chow!

Theresa,I can understand how you are feeling. I too am preganant and am in the begigning of the third trimester. Ofourse, a chat with your doctor is the first thing you should do and I am sure that he/she will not restirct your travel since the second trimester is the best time to travel and wouold give you quality time with your husband and will take your mind off the usual anxieties of pregnancy. However, you have to see what you are comfortable with. Italy is a modern, family oriented country and so I am sure you wouldn't have any problems. I am sure the medical facilities are good and that language is not going to be a big problem if you visit a specialist. However, to feel better, you might want to find out the names/ contacts of some good doctors/ hospital in the city that you plan to visit. Also, you might want to relook at your itinerary to see if you were planning on doing too many ciities/ type of places to visit / location of hotels/ car vs. trains etc. Again, all depends on what you are comfortable with. As for me, I deceided not travel at all during my pregancy, just because I generally dont' like flying! (I get nervous if the flight is too bumpy etc.) and the only place I like to travel to is Europe which is a 12-13 hour plane ride from here. But I have friends who have travelled extensively thru their pregnancies and enjoyed themseleves. Whatever you decide, good luck and have fun!

When I saw the heading I thought "oh, oh...wrong Forum" Then I realised elvira would know the answer anyway:-) <BR> <BR>As I said some time ago ( and got my head in my hands to play with for doing so) children are born here every day, and most of them none the worse for the experience. So long as the flight won't cause physical problems, go for it! It may be the last chance you get. <BR>

Well, my wife went hiking in the mountains for a few days when she was 4 months pregnant. I wouldn't think flying would be a problem at that stage either. However, all women are different and pregnancies can be different too. Check with the doctor. Some clinics/hospitals have travel nurses too, but I would think your doctor could answer all the questions. Where you are traveling is important too. Italy is a very developed country, and I would think you could get good medical care if the need arose.

Your OB is the only one that can advise whether you have any special risks. After 4 children and 9 grandchildren, travel in the early second trimester would not be a problem for normal, healthy women. <BR> <BR>This is Italy you're going to, and not the Antarctic? In the unlikely event you have a problem you'll find lots of very competent medical care available. <BR> <BR>Something to check: does your health insurance cover care outside the country? Many do not, so ask your insurer. As well, most or all hospitals/doctors outside the US do not honor US health insurance; most will want payment up front. (If your insurance covers you, you'll get reimbursed after you return home and file a claim.) You may want to purchase special health coverage from the trip. Others on the forum or your travel agent may be able to recommend a source. <BR> <BR>Rome.Switzerland.Bavaria <BR>www.twenj.com

Hi there- <BR>GO! GO! GO! The second trimester is fine - not so much morning sickness and not to big...check with your OB first, though! I traveled in Switzerland at 18 weeks with my first and in Italy at the same time with my second. Italy is fine...good water and wonderful food. <BR> <BR>You will need to take naps in the afternoon, but that is no problem as the shops are closed anyway. Drink lots on the flight and walk around every hour. <BR> <BR>You may as well travel now. It gets a lot harder after the baby ;-) <BR>Jan

Regarding the health insurance. The last time I took out temporary health insurance for foreign travel (to the US) it stated clearly on the front page that it did not cover pre-existing conditions. I think that being pregnant might be considered as pre-existing. So read carefully and ask questions before paying.

I flew to China in my second trimester and did fine. 1). Check with MD/OBGYN; 2). The airline stewards will instruct you in how to buckle that seatbelt differently. 3). Take you prenatal vitamins with you and any Rx you may be on 4). Salvador Mundi Hospital in Rome has American MDs should you want one for some reason while there (its atop a lovely hill in Rome).

Should Theresa consult her OB? Well, of course, but I think she's asking us for travel advice, not medical advice. And I suspect some here might have better information about that than an OB necessarily would. I don't have any first hand experience for you, Theresa, but how about hearing from some more who have?

Theresa: You know telling alittle white lie isn't really bad:). Try showing up at the airport say 3hrs early instead of 2. Try to look pregnant (the hand resting on the stomach is a good touch:) and ask at check-in if you can have exit row seats (I don't think being alittle pregnant would be a restriction). If not ask if you could have a seat with an empty seat between you and your husband because your back and/or legs is really giving you discomfort. And for extra credit:) maybe make a joke about this being your belated honeymoon but you think you might have waited too long:), who knows maybe they'll bump you up to business class (dress nicely:). HTH Regards, Walter <BR>

My wife and I went to Disney World (her choice) while she was 8 months pregnant and we had a wonderful time. Just don't expect to see everything because you will be tired. Drink plenty of water and don't exert too much. Also, try to carry a copy of your medical chart with you just in case. Early 2nd trimester is probably the best time to travel.

Theresa, how do you feel now? Chances are you will only feel better in 2-3 months. You won't be at the absolutely miserable point yet, I hope! Plan your schedule well, don't crowd everything in every day. Take time to relax and enjoy each others company. I've been to Italy 2x and speak only a little spanish. Communication will not be a problem lots of people speak English. Plus you are going to a country that shuts down each afternoon, what a great opportunity for naps! Go and have a great time. And now that I think about it, I travelled to San Francisco in my 5th month, didn't slow me down a bit. I may have eaten a bit more than normal:)

Oh, the responses to the question remind me of the comment my wife's OBGYN toldher when she was pregnant with our daughter: Once people become parents, they all think they're obstetricians and will want to give you advice. Because you (or your wife) did such and such and didn't have any problems does not mean that Theresa will have the same outcome with the same experience. For God sakes Theresa, talk to your doctor! <BR>

Theresa, I would have been jittery, too, but consider that you are probably basically anxious in general. In a few months, you'll be more used to the idea of pregnancy AND you will feel better. Teach yourself a few basic Italian phrases to describe how far along you are, medications, etc. and that'll ease your mind a little -- if you want to be a little compulsive, find someone in the Bay Area who knows both Italian and medicine for a pre-trip "briefing." But I really don't think it's necessary ASSUMING your OB-GYN is comfortable with your travel plans. <BR> <BR>Mainly, think of it as a great opportunity: 1. I tell everyone pregnant for the first time to go away on a great trip w/husband, because it won't be just you-two for 20 yrs., and even then it's never the same again. and 2. take it as a divine command to do the traveling at a very leisurely, calm pace -- you'll soak up much more of the country than if you were on a whirl-wind, gobble-up-the-sights as fast as possible trip. <BR> <BR>But if after all is said and done, you just don't feel like going, DON'T. Don't let anyone pressure you into it for fear of being a wimp. This is a good time to learn to trust your instincts, because that's the hardest part of motherhood, believe me.

Hi everyone, <BR>Okay, I have to give my two-cents because I am an OB/GYN nurse, to be totally honest I have no children and I don't know as much about the prenatal period as I do about labor and delivery, but oh we... Follow the advice of asking your doctor, and if you don't feel comfortable with the advice ask another OB/GYN doctor. I will ask some of the doctors I work with, to what there opionions are. I won't see any problems. Except the changes your body is going through might make your feel differently than if you were not pregnant(obviously)It might be a good idea if you know how to tell the signs and symptoms of preterm labor. Most often this occurs after 20 weeks, and since you will be only 16 weeks, it may not as much a concern. There is a difference between Braxton-Hicks and true labor contractions. Learn the method to feel for contractions and understand the differences. I also live in the San Francisco bay area, where are you delivering?

Obviously, you should check with your OB/GYN first. However, I would say "go for it!". The second trimester is the best time (after the first and before the last, anyone who's ever been pregnant is sure to agree). There little chance you'll go into premature labor. You'll be beyond all the early shocks to your hormones, feeling fine, but not too heavy or uncomfortable or awkward yet. You can spend the third trimester decorating the nursery and buying baby clothes But, most important, this will be your very last chance for a long, long time for you and your husband to be alone together and footloose and fancy free. Trust me on this - my husband and I spent my entire first pregnacy doing "all those things we won't be able to do once the baby arrives" and we had no idea, at the time, how much more we should have tried to squeeze in. As for where to go - what pops into your head as where you'd go first if you could go anywhere? Or, go to a travel agency and pick up a tour guide. Not that you want to go on a tour - the photos and itineraries are sure to spark a destination that "makes your heart leap". There are any number of possibilities. Our favorites have been Switzerland and Paris. If you really want to go to Italy - do that. You may want to pick one or two cities - you're more likely to get by on very little Italian in the cities. Or, book an "escorted tour". While they have their plusses and minuses, they do have a number of advantages (leave all the planning and communicating to them). You'll have fabulous memories and lots of experience for planning future excursions - whenever...Most folks (and OB/GYN's) will tell you that the second trimester is the best. So, take advantage. In the alternative, you can plan getaways in and about San Francisco and environs. Or, just visit an appealing place stateside or in Canada. I, personally, very highly recommend Nantucket Island (off Cape Cod in Massachusetts), Montreal, and Niagara-on-the-Lake (see www.shawfest.com) which is near Niagara Falls - a fabulous destination. Good luck!

Theresa, I'll just add my two-cents' worth. I went to Vienna alone for a week when I was about three months pregnant. When I boarded the (hot and packed) plane I asked the flight attendants if they had any suggestions to help a pregnant woman travel more comfortably, at which point they shooed me away to my seat . . . but shortly after after everyone was seated, they moved me to a seat in first class. A very sweet flight attendant fussed over me for the rest of the trip. It was delightful, and I was immensely glad I had spoken up. I advise you to speak up, too! It can't hurt. Once your doctor has given you the okay, let your common sense guide you and ENJOY your trip. Good luck!