The way things have worked out for us, my husband and I will be in Paris while I'm seven months pregnant. (trip March 4-11, Due June 8th). Any suggestions for an woman who will be fat, hungry, and always needing to use the bathroom?
Also, I'm planning on buying a museum pass, and I see it mentions Versailles and the Trianons on it. Is this a pass just to get in the chateau and both the trianon buildings? Will I have to pay more to visit the gardens and have a guided tour?

Thanks!

..from one who waddled around Paris during one of her pregnancies..your tummy will get you a seat on the metro..in fact in the old days you could use the first class cars when pregnant (no longer have 2 classes). there are seats with a sign which says for wounded veterans and then I think pregnant ladies are second. When heading for the toilet, museums and public buildings are a good bet..restaurants always seem to have the bathroom down a flight of steep stairs or up 2 flights..Oh and dont worry about the hospitals in Paris if you run into any problems. The large public hospitals are very good..avoid the "private hospitals" excluding the American Hospital in Neuilly which is very good..so have a wonderful time and remember it is a lot easier to travel with a babe in utero than a 2 year old.

Are you sure you can fly then? I thought there was a date where you were not allowed to fly..
Although I am not fat, I am usually hungry and need to use the ladies LOL so I think I might be able to answer some questions
As far as I remember from our trip to Versailles, you get into the chateau on the pass and I am pretty sure you have to pay to get into the gardens.
We will be there (Paris) March 7-14. I do not think the gardens will be at their best, but the chateau is wonderful.
Where will you be staying?
Like to eat everything?
Just go to the search box and type in Paris restaurants if you want to get started that way, eating in Paris is discussed here every day
Hope this helps some..

Been there, done that at 6+ months pregnant. Actually, it was wonderful, I got more exercise walking all around in the cool autumn air that I would not normally have gotten if I was home in the States. So I say go for it! I ducked into many cafes and got to know many WCs in the museums (Musee D'Orsay and Louvre had nice bathrooms!) but overall it was fine and an experience I would not exchange for the world.

You can fly however many months you are, it is the airlines that doesn't want to be implicated/sued should any complications arise with a pregnant woman passenger!

Versailles, its gardens and the petite chateaux on the property (including the Trianon) are all included on the pass. There are audio guides available throughout the palace so I don't think a guided tour is necessary, unless you want one. In the gardens, there is a small transport service (with driver/guide) that takes you all around and it is worth the few euros you pay as the area is quite expansive.

I was in Paris while I was pregnant, and didn't have a problem finding toilets. I would just go into cafes--no one ever stopped me. I also used some of the public pay toilets (they're only about 40 cents-just make sure you have change), which were often cleaner than the cafe restrooms.

Just watch out for all of the unpasteruised cheese and of course pate and fois gras.

Most airlines (and insurance companies) have a 32-week limit, but it's worth it to have a doctor's letter stating you have clearance from the doc to fly and what your dates are. I flew to the US at about 27 weeks and my airline told me I had to have the letter, and then no one ever asked me for it. But they could have refused to let me on the plane without it. It's particularly useful if you look further along than you are.

Also, when pregnant you're more susceptible to deep-veined thrombosis, so it's best to take half an aspirin the morning you fly and to wear those horrible support stockings. Uncomfortable, yes, but better than death.

Do get a doctor's note that states that you can travel. If the airline employee thinks you are further along than 7 months, they may not let you on the flight.

In addition to the tips about toilets; just walk into any large hotel; there are always toilets in the lobby, or near the restaurant or conference rooms. Just walk in as if you are staying there.

And don't forget to shop for baby clothes. I have bought beautifull soft knitted blankets in Paris.

Hi g,

Always have 1E worth of small change. The streetside toilettes are 0.40E.

As I recall, travelbunny, the signs in the Metro used to specify the blind, the war-wounded and pregnant women in third place. Some time in the 60s a proto-feminist asked about the implied sense of priorities, and the answer came (from a man, no doubt, and you can almost hear the Gallic shrug) 'But the first two are there through no fault of their own....'

If you're longing for some brie, the President brand, found in supermarkets such as Monoprix is pasteurized, unlike the ones found in restaurants.

For beautiful baby clothes: Le Petit Faune, Tartine et Chocolat, Jacadi, Bonpoint, and Catamini--all in the 6th or 7th, I believe. Also Galeries Lafayettes has gorgeous clothes.

I was pregnant during my first trip to Paris and constantly craved a cold glass of milk (as I always do when pregnant). It was almost impossible to explain to French waiters just how cold I wanted (needed) it to be. They seemed to think room temperature was plenty cold enough. It made me gag!
Also, do you have your accomodations yet, ghanima22? The Hospital Mon Dieu next door to Notre Dame actually has a hotel on its top floor that people can stay in. We did it once and it was pretty fun. The grounds are very beautiful (with small labyrinth), and the building itself is centuries old -- and we had views of Notre Dame right out our skylights.