Hi everyone!

I recently found out that I'm pregnant, and DH and I have tickets to Hawaii in August. Baby is due in November. Assuming everything is safe and well with the pregnancy, we will certainly be continuing on our trip It will be our 4th trip to the islands in as many years.

Right now, our flights are in/out of Kona, RT to/from Boston. Not entirely sure what islands we are doing, but we are thinking BI and Maui. Can I go to VNP while I'm pregnant? I found the following passage on their website ---- Fumes (volcanic gasses) are hazardous to your health. Visitors with heart or breathing problems and infants, young children, and pregnant women are expecially at risk and should avoid Halema`uma`u Crater, Sulphur Banks, and other areas where volcanic fumes are present.

I took that to mean that there are just certain areas of the park that pregnant women should avoid. Of course I will ask my doctor when the time comes and I won't go if it's advised not to as we have been before. I was just wondering if anyone here had any experience with this. Thanks

Yes, I think you read it right. There were a few parts of the park where the fumes bothered my asthma, but I was OK as long as I stayed in the good areas. Stop by the ranger station at the entrance to the park and they can advise you of areas to see and to avoid.

OH--congrats on your happy news.

Thanks, P_M!

Anyone else?

Congrats on your news, but when I saw the title I thought this was a question on how to get pregnant at Volcano National Park. ;^)

The usual way, no?

Beachgirl: Congratulations to you and DH! From our trip last summer, I do remember the sulpher smell in several areas, and those areas were definately marked with signs warning those who were pregnant or those who had breathing issues to be careful. Maybe your OB can give you a better idea of how harmful the fumes would be to you or your special bundle. I don't remember the fumes as being profuse or overly bothersome. If you'll be about 6 months pregnant at the time of your trip, you might not feel like hiking around the volcano anyway. Perhaps just a drive down Crater Road in the AC of your car will suffice? Good luck.

Sherrie: Thanks I appreciate your response. I like your idea of driving down the Chain of Craters road. That makes a lot of sense, and it is my favorite part of VNP anyways! One thing we are trying to decide right now is if we want to do 1 or 2 islands for the 14 nights. Being almost 6 months pregnant, and flying all the way from Boston is causing us to think about possibly one island for the full 2 weeks. We'll see!

I am so glad you are being careful about your baby's health and congratulations. I would consider wearing a surgical mask ... I saw parents taking infants down near the lava flow at the end of crators road and I really think that the parents didn't realize about the fumes and their baby's health.