Travelling to Europe while pregnant
 

Hello- we have a trip planned to Paris in early February, and I have recently found out I am pregnant (will be about 15 weeks/2nd trimester) during the trip.

I wanted to see if anyone had experience travelling abroad while pregnant (around 15 wks or so)...we used FF miles, and can cancel if needed (though we don't want to!). Did you enjoy yourself? Were you comfortable/uncomfortable on planes, walking, etc? Would you do it again? If we don't go now, it will probably be at least 1.5+ years until we get the chance to go again due to using vacation for maternity leave, visiting family, etc. and it will have to be with a toddler in tow.

The Dr. has cleared us pending any upcoming issues, but I wanted to get a firsthand opinion form people who have been in that situation.Thanks!

I can't answer the question you ask, but I would comment that you need to check your travel insurance carefully.

Very good point Wasleys, I didn't think about medical insurane either. Thanks,

I went to Paris in 1984 at 20 weeks pregnant with my son. I'm still here to talk about and he's about to start law school so yes you can do it :-)

I had no problems so no need to see a doctor there, but otherwise, no issues, and I would imagine that 24 years later it's even easier -- email, internet, cell phonene of which existed when I did it.

Added plus: you get to buy some baby clothes inParis!

I had major troubles on a European trip so in addition to insurance I would check out locations of hospitals or clinics as well. Although it is doubtful anything will happen it is wise to be extra cautious.

It was really the medical side I was thinking about, not just treatment but repatriation. As our own travel insurance covers all aspects I tend to use the term generically.

That is what I meant - the medical side of things. Knowing where hospitals and clinics are in advance can really help in case of emergency (as what happened to me).

Assuming you've never been pregnant before you don't know how you'll feel ad how much yuo'll want to do. Many women feel best in their second trimesters (after morning sicknes but before you feel you're carrying a basketball). But, some women find they get tired very easily. And until you're there youwon't know.

so I would

1) make sure you have good travel insurance

2) plan a trip with a reasonable amount of down time in case you don't have a full supply of energy

We visited Paris when I was about 10 weeks pregnant. There are a few posts about pregnant and Paris. If you do a search you might be able to bring them up.

One thing that you should discuss with your doctor is the bacteria listeria. It can be found in unpasteurized cheese and lunch meets. It's very dangerous for a pregnant woman.

On another pregnant post hanl gave a few good translations you might need.

I'm pregnant = "Je suis enceinte"
Pregnancy = grossesse
Pasteurised = "pasteurisé"
Unpasteurised = "non pasteurisé" or, for some dairy products (esp. cheese), "au lait cru"

You won't know till you get there how tired or how much energy you will have. Paris is perfect for this! You can either spend all day trekking through museums and parks or just hang out in a cafe all day!

Congratulations on your baby. Enjoy Paris.

Make sure you have comfortable shoes, low heel, soft socks. Some pregancies make your ankles swell.

Plan to take a nap, or if you don't feel you need it, this will be time to sit in a cafe... by the way, caffeine is not advised.

I was about 3 months pregnant when I moved back to the States from Germany last year, so I have experience traveling and being in Europe while pregnant. It all depends on how you feel - if you have little to no morning sickness in the first trimester, you should be fine at 15 weeks, although you may be more tired than usual, so definitely factor in getting plenty of sleep and down time. But if you are having trouble now, you should be wary...although most people get over the worst of the symptoms by the beginning of their 2nd trimester, that isn't always the case. And definitely do investigate what to do if you have any sort of medical emergency.

Take with a grain of salt as this comes from a husband and father of two:

My wife went to Luxembourg for Christmas at seven months. I think the plane ride was fine (not completely comfortable), and she did well for the most part with the exception of a mad dash through an airport to make a plane. It certainly was not ideal, but it was the time we could go and the whole entire family could be together. We were not too agressive in our site seeing and tried to avoid walking too much.

At 15 weeks, you will be fine - Tired and at times uncomfortable, but I am not sure it is something to get too worked up about.

We traveled to Italy and France when I was about 14 weeks pregnant. Luckily, my morning sickness ended 1 day before our trip. I wasn't tired and didn't feel uncomfortable, but I'm a high-energy person generally and continued most activities throughout my pregnancies. Except for the incident below, yes, I enjoyed myself, and it was a great time for DH and I to be together before the birth of our 2d child.

I did have a minor issue arise during the trip, and had "fun" trying to decide how we would get to the nearest big hospital, if necessary. Turned out to not be necessary, but it was a scare and I had to take it easy for the rest of the trip. So, just make sure you have numbers of your doctors, etc. in the U.S., and know where the nearest hospitals are to where you'll be.

You might copy this bookmark to the American Hospital in Paris -- just in case.

https://www.american-hospital.org/

It's in Neuilly-sur-Seine, to the North-West of the city. We took a bus to it when I became ill a couple of years ago, and found it to be convenient, modern, and very friendly. Plus, they spoke English.

I'm sure you will have a wonderful visit!

:-)

Congrats, KJenn!

I just got back from Paris two weeks ago when I was 10-11 weeks pregnant.

I was actually not looking forward to the trip because I felt so lousy in the weeks preceding it: Always queasy, always tired, headaches, etc.

But I have to tell you, I had a wonderful time! I don't know if it was all the fresh air and walking, the wondrous sights to keep my mind off the "side effects" or just nature moving on to the next stage, but I felt great! I had some trouble with the rich French food, and I stayed away from all those wonderful sandwiches they serve on the street and in bakeries. (Cold cuts plus unknown cheese, didn't seem like the smartest thing to do.) But once I realized to keep it light, I found eating pretty easy, actually. Everywhere we went, the Emmental cheese was pasteurized, and cappuccinos do come in decaf! (Since I couldn't sample the local grape, we made sure to take a break in the middle of every day and have a decaf cappuccino. A true treat!)

I never left the house without: A bottle of water, a snack and a book. If I got tired, I could find a comfortable corner in a museum or at a cafe and chill.

We rented an apartment, which was great because we/I could lounge around in the mornings comfortably and cook what it was I was craving at the moment. We even had a movie night (via my laptop).

I was exhausted when I got home, and I did catch a cold. But that could have happened just as easily in the States, I figure.

My doctors said it would be fine to go. I did take my insurance information and doctor's number with me and looked up the local hospital once I got there, but other than that, didn't worry. At 15 weeks you should be in much better shape, even. I hear the energy comes back around the second trimester (which I'm hoping will happen any day) and your morning sickness, if you have it, should be gone.

Go! Enjoy the Babymoon! You are right. It will be a completely different experience with a toddler in tow (though still wonderful, I'm sure)!

Please do not worry. and don't by any means cancel Paris!! Pregnancy is not an illness. Most women feel fantastic second trimester (even I, who threw up every day, had lots of energy). Take care of yourself and you shouldn't have gained very much weight, which is what would make you uncomfortable on the plane, etc. Drink water and relax. It's an exciting time and very romantic-where else but the City of Love to celebrate?

Thanks all...I feel a lot better about the trip now. My first trimester has been pretty good so far, just a little tired but nothing I couldn;t work through to see Paris! We will be renting an apt for the entire 9 days, so I figure we can base our daytrips, etc on how I am feeling. I have a feeling it will be a "slower" trip then I am used to, and should be great.

I am a little sad that I can't have some of the great cheeses and wine...I might have to bring a bottle or two home to celebrate for after the baby is born!

BKP- thanks for the french sayings...I will write those down!

I traveled to Spain for two weeks during my first trimester and had a great time. I got tired during the day and took a daily siesta and was a bit slower moving but otherwise fine (other than being disappointed at all the good food I was missing out on).

I would say that if you are very nervous about the pregnancy, it may interfere with your enjoyment of the trip. If not, go for it! I think being away and spending time outdoors takes your mind off the discomforts. Drink lots of water so you don't get dehydrated. I was getting queasy between meals so brought along saltines and pretzels and brought them with me to much on.

To answer your question, I don't think I'd deliberately plan a trip while I was a pregnant if I was able to do it before hand instead so I could maximize my eating and drinking on the trip. But if I had a trip planned and learned I was pregnant, I definitely would not cancel it.

I was just in Paris and noticed there were a few chic maternity shops. I believe one was on Rue du Four or right around there.

I think it all depends on your personal comfort level. I traveled to Prague when I was 7 months pregnant with no difficulties. My pregnancy up to that point had been without unpleasantness of any kind, and my doctor and I could think of no reason why I shouldn't travel. Certainly my pace was a bit slower, and I had to sample the beers vicariously through my husband, but I'm glad I went on the trip. (And in Prague, at least, pregnant women did not have to pay to use the public toilets!)

Congratulations kjenn!

I'm thinking of the worst here, but it's best to be prepared.

We have been to the American Hospital for an emergency and the care was excellent.

Be prepared and have several thousand dollars' available on your credit card set aside for medical expenses just in case. Our regular health insurance covered everything BUT we had to pay up front and be reimbursed. Also, the American Hosp asked for a 3000 euro deposit when admitted.

I'm sure I'm just an old worrywort, as I was hospitalized early in all my pregnancies, so I'm rather skittish.

But pleas go and and have fun!