My husband and I are considering a 12 day trip to Turkey in September at which time I'll be about 5 months pregnant. We were thinking of spending 4 or 5 days in Istanbul and the rest of the trip on the Mediterranean coast (possibly taking a 1 or 2 day detour to Cappadocia on our way to the coast). Has anyone traveled in Turkey while pregnant? My husband is concerned that it's not the safest place for me to go at that time. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

This is a question for a doctor--about 1) the amount of flying you'll be doing, 2) the slight risk of food poisoning in these well-traveled and tourist-oriented locations (for example: I ate salads in Istanbul and Cappadocia and was fine, but was warned not to or to drink tap water), and 3) what vaccines you need and can have (again, these are real risks but low level in these areas (as opposed to more rural area) in my non-medical opinion.)

Yeah, this is one between you and your doctor.

Flying that long -- exposure to radiation -- may be an issue even more than where you are going, though no doubt Turkey will be safer than China, for example.

But only your doctor and you can decide, not a bunch of folks who tell you what they did. My mom smoked and drank all through the time she was pregnant with me and spent a then-standard two weeks in the hospital to recover from her delivery, but no one would recommend either today.

Of course I will talk to my doctor about my plans, but I was more curious about knowing what to expect in Turkey. For example, how is food and water safety there? Is travel within the country fairly easy? How accessible are English speaking doctors? How are the medical facilities? Stuff like that; not whether I can fly that far and what vaccines are safe.

with all your ( understandable ) concerns, I would stick with Western Europe .

I, personally, wouldn't do it.

There's no way to predict how you'll feel two months from now, and the contingenies could be quite daunting and/or very difficult.

While it's probably most unlikely that anything will "happen" during your travels, what will you do if it does?

Travel to distant destinations is stressful enough when not pregnant. And, there are so many other options.

You are so lucky to have a concerned husband...

Having been pregnant in Turkey myself and returned to the USA in my 7th month, I'd like to say that traveling in Turkey can certainly be done as easily as most of Europe. If you are having a healthy pregnancy, you should be just fine in Turkey.

Domestic travel is extremely easy with excellent air connections between Istanbul and Cappadocia as well as Istanbul and the Mediterranean. As with anywhere, anytime you change your diet you do have some risk of adapting to the local fauna, but the best way to do this is to introduce fresh fruits and raw vegetables very gradually and allow your body to adjust. Avoid heavy kebab dishes and stick to local vegetable entrees.

Tap water in Turkey should definitely be avoided; it's fine to brush your teeth with but nothing more. Bottled water is available everywhere.

The private medical facilities are generally excellent in the larger cities and touristic areas, and many doctors speak fluent English. I had a severe asthma attack in Turkey during my pregnancy and was looked after unbelievably well.

I suggest you go for it!

I don't think Turkey is your wisest vacation choice while pregnant. While most pregnancies go along fine, you never know if you could have a complication. My friend was on a Turkish cruise a few years ago and one of the passengers was injured in a swimming accident. She later died at a Turkish hospital, and an American doctor that was also on the cruise said it never should have happened. Don't assume that the level of medical care is as high as that in the U.S. or western Europe.

"For example, how is food and water safety there? Is travel within the country fairly easy? How accessible are English speaking doctors? How are the medical facilities? Stuff like that; not whether I can fly that far and what vaccines are safe."

As we have said, drinking tap water is not advised, so uncooked fruits and veg would be of risk. I took the precaution of getting the recommended vaccines, and that is something only a doctor can advise you on. Those are reasonable concerns to people in any condition, but not something we can answer.
Travel--to the places you specified--is completely easy. The rest are questions for medical professionals.
Most importantly, what does your insurance allow for (could you be flown out of need be, etc.)?

I assume that cjsg is in reasonable health and that her pregnancy is normal. Were things otherwise, I am sure that she would not have got as far as asking her question.

It seems to be left to me, a male, to point out that pregnancy is a condition, not an illness. The first trimester can be uncomfortable, and the third trimester, too. This trip is proposed for the second trimester. It poses no appreciable risk. I rather suspect that cjsg feels that way, and wants reassurance for her husband. Thank him for his solicitude, tell him you'll be fine, and that you are really looking forward to your holiday.

Then go and enjoy it, and come back next year asking for advice on how to manage an infant on your holiday.

I am as well thinking the same way as Dina. If you feel Ok and doctor allows you can do it.
Choosing right hotels, means of transport and having a good connection in Turkey that you can hold of incase you need is what I would suggest.

May I remind some posters regarding health & doctor possibilities in Turkey; government hospitals are still developing but private clinics and hospitals are either coupled with European and American hospitals and alreday serves to internationally to patients with eye, hearth, plastic surgeries and similar. Checking few words on google will help answering those health questions....

Happy & healthy travelling,
Murat

Goodness i thought people were talking about India from the sounds of it. Turkey is a very popular sun destination for europeans as its cheaper and a few buy apartments along the touristy coastal areas. It will probably be more familiar than you think it is. What are your safety concerns specifically? If you Dr says ok then its up to you.

I eat fresh fruits on the beach in greece why should I avoid in Turkey?? Just asking? The standard my impression were that of europe. Years ago people were afraid to eat salads in Europe as if we were sub standard to america over here. Read up a bit and to be hon4st of you are on the med you will be find and chilled out. Just check for hospitals in the area and in the resorts most people will speak english. English is usually how I converse with many of the French and Germans I meet when in a sunny destination as it usually is the common language.

I would be careful about things like toxoplasmosis and listeria, which means peeling fruit and avoiding raw veg unless you wash them yourself, being careful about unpasteurised cheeses, raw/undercooked meat and cured meat products, etc.

Also make sure you are covered by your travel insurance in case you do need to cancel for health reasons (I believe some policies don't cover pregnant women). Make sure your doctor has given you a written certificate stating you are fit to fly, and check the airline's policy about carrying pregnant women as well.

Last but not least, although the second trimester is supposed to be easier, it isn't for all women. All pregnancies are different, so don't expect to be able to predict how you will be feeling then!! (I'm currently 38 weeks pregnant and feel better now than I did at 20 weeks!!!!).

To be honest the same precautions should be taken travelling the same as when at home. Yes they advise to not eat unpasteurised cheese but I read somewhere the last 2 cases of Listeria in the U.S. were from Pasteurised cheese. A French friend who was pregnant just cut back on cheese and ate more hard cheeses and is fine. Just go with your instincts. Let us know if you do go!

To be honest, with the exception of drinking bottled water, I ate everything. I did get a cold, but even then I could go to the pharmacy and get what I needed.

For the most part Turkey is a very modern country, especially Istanbul and the coastal areas. Other than the normal pregnancy issues I don't think you'd have any trouble.