My daughter is due with her first child in June and we would like to take a family trip (husband, daughter, son-in-law and myself) before she gives birth. We're not terribly interested in lying around at a beach resort so I was thinking of Spain, which I love and would be willing to visit again.

Has anyone had experience (or advice) about two weeks in Spain in March? I don't want to go anywhere exotic in case she needs proper medical assistance.

Is this a nutty idea?

No, I don't see it as nutty at all. I traveled all over Europe when I was pregnant, and so do lots of people.

Where in Spain? It's a big country.

Most pregnant women have to work quite late into their pregnancy and travellig can't be worse than working, that said you should consult your doctor first of all.

Of course, she should consult with her doctor. Also, airlines usually have some point after which they like to see a letter from the doctor; they really don't want to have their passengers giving birth in the air, so just have her check on that.

This is decision for her, to consider how she would feel if she were to go into labor while in Spain. I was invited by a major client to a major event about 2,000 miles from home when I was about 7.5 months pregnant with my first, a very long time ago. The conversation with my doctor ran along the lines of the low likelihood that I would go into labor while there, but for me to think about how I would feel if I did go into labor far from home, far from the doctor that I was used to (and in my situation, with my husband not there).

Have contingency plans in place, and all that. While I was pregnant with my second child (also a long time ago), about 1 week into my second trimester, I had some issues while in the CinqueTerre. Frantic calls to my doctor, and thoughts about how to get to a good hospital from that tiny town. It all turned out fine, after several anxious hours and two days of bed rest (taken on the beach).

As long as she has had no problems with the pregnancy the chances that she would go into labor that early are quite low. I would stick to visiting areas with a population large enough to have a good hospital (the example of the CT above was that the CT is a rather remote area without a large hospital easily accessed) - but that includes a lot of Spain.

As to where to go - in March the ideal place is Andalucia - Seville, Cordoba, Granada. I've been there in March and it was glorious. Barcelona and Valencia would also be good at that time.

Your daughter should definitely check with her doctor but also with the airline you are planning to use. Some restrict travel during the third trimester, particularly for international flights. She should also check her insurance to make certain medical care will be covered, if needed, while traveling in Spain.

That being said, I think Spain would be lovely in March.

The recommendations to consult her physician and the airline make a lot of sense. And as someone who firmly believes in having insurance for even unlikely outcomes, I would suggest that she might also want to look into trip insurance that includes hospital-of-one's-choice coverage, along with coverage for a family member to be with her if she needs to be hospitalized abroad. She can compare options on insuremytrip.com or squaremouth.com

yes, I do have experience! I went to Seville once at that time. It was just before and during Semana Santa which is a huge deal there. I actually didn't want to be there during that and it is so expensive then, so I was there the week before it and then went to Madrid during that week, where it isn't so crazy. I love Spain and I had a great time, it was cooler than I expected, though, and rainy some days, but other days were pleasant and maybe 60ish and sunny (in Seville). But it got quite cool at night, I had a waterproof jacket with lining and wore jeans and ankle boots at night, for example. And I had some pullover sweaters which was good.

anyway, all I can say is it was a lot of fun but you really have to prepare where you go if it coincides with Semana Santa activities and hotels often get booked up way in advance and are more expensive than normal in places like Seville where it is a big deal. Next year, Easter isn't until April 12th, so you should be find in that regard if you go last 2 weeks in March. For 2 weeks, you can do a lot, I think I may have only been there about 10 days and split them between Seville and Madrid (although probalby did a day trip from both).

I guess you'd have to find out your daughter's opinion on all this, though, you don't say if she's even been consulted. Because maybe she wouldn't mind but wouldn't want to make such a major trip out of it, 2 weeks is a pretty long time. And don't prepay anything in case she doesn't feel up to it when the time comes. Airline tickets can always be cancelled and the money banked for a year or so, even if you have to pay a change fee. At least I know you can on United as I've done it, and I presume other major carriers.