Best Advice for Babymoon

Top Ten Babymoon Safety Tips

Top Ten Babymoon Safety Tips

Many expectant couples nearing their last trimester are packing their bags.  And not with fluffy slippers or cozy flannel pajama for the hospital either.  But with bikinis and flip flops.   They are preparing for their Babymoon!  

A Babymoon is a vacation pregnant women take, with or without their significant other, for the purpose of relaxing and or celebrating before the birth of their baby. 

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Babymooner Nena taking in the beautiful views of her oceanview room at the Hilton Head Marriott.

Everything changes when you have a newborn.  Long sleepless nights and early mornings.  Babymooners understand the importance of getting as much relaxation.

A Babymoon can also strengthen relationships and open up communication amoung couples.  Going on vacation can help get you through 40 weeks of pregnancy, which can be trying for even the most patient woman.

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First time Babymooners Scott and Nicole enjoyed quality time together on their Babymoon at the Marriott Aruba Surf Club.
There are however, some real precautions you need to take before you start planning your Babymoon.

Here’s my story:

Seven months pregnant with my second child, my husband and I went on a 4 day cruise to Mexico.  We had a wonderful time together.  We hung out late, slept in, and ate all the food we wanted. 

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Seven months pregnant with my second child, my husband and I took a 4 day cruise to Mexico.

Unfortunately for me, I was not staying hydrated enough and it resulted in severe abdominal pain.   After a few hours of pain and prayer I ended up in the infirmary on the lower deck of the ship with a cruise doctor giving me a pelvic exam.  

As if the embarrassment of not having my midwife perform my pelvic exam wasn’t enough, they couldn’t find anything wrong with me. 

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The ship doctors that treated me during my cruise. I’m smiling but I was a little mortified.

When we finally made it back to shore in Florida I was in so muchdiacomfort couldn’t get on a flight home.  I went to the emergency room and discovered that I had kidney stones.

I tell you my story not to deter you from taking a vacation or cruise, because you definitely deserve one, but to encourage you to be safe.

Read and follow these important Babymoon Safety Tips.

Top Ten Babymoon Safety Tips

1. Avoid Extremes.  Like temperatures above 90 degrees and mountain retreats with high altitudes.  Also try to limit your flight time or road trips to 4 hours or less.  Avoid anything that will add stress to your body.  Your Babymoon should be enjoyable and not stressful.

2. Get clearance from your doctor.  It’s important to inform your doctor or midwife of your travel plans, especially if you’re going abroad.  They can research necessary vaccinations and local health alerts.  

3. Book a hotel that is expectant mom friendly If it’s a big resort they should have the option to use a golf cart to get around if you need it.  Also if there are no elevators, make sure your room is on the ground level.  The Andaz Resort in Costa Rica is the perfect expectant mom friendly resort.

4. Make sure you have dining options.  You want a resort or hotel with lots of good and healthy dining options or one that is located near restaurants.  Cravings and food aversions come and go and changes quickly.  You need food that will satisfy your appetite and your cravings.

5.  Practice Common Sense.  Avoid eating at buffets, drinking tap water, and eating fruit that is already cut .  There’s a higher risk of food poising when you travel, especially international.  

6. Stay hydrated.  You will hear this often over the course of your pregnancy. You really need to make sure you are drinking enough clear fluids.  Carry a liter bottle and refill it multiple times a day.  Traveling will cause you to dehydrate quickly. 

7. Avoid thrill seeking activities.  Babymooning is not the time to go horseback riding, parasailing, or jet skiing. Instead try other things like sunset river cruise or a walk on a beach.  It may sound boring but trust me there will be lots of other vacations to be adventurous.

8. Get a Pregnancy Massage.  Before you book your spa services make sure they offer or can recommend a pregnancy massage therapist.  Pregnancy massages are different then regular massages because they avoid the pressure points in your body that can trigger contractions and early labor.

9.  Pack healthy snacks.  You’re going to get the munchies so be prepared.   You can pack snacks into your carry on. Granola, trail mix, dried fruit etc.

10.  Protect your skin. Use SPF 50 sunscreen when you are outdoors. Your skin is much more sensitive to sun rays when your are pregnant.  Cover up with light weights fabrics and wear a wide brim hat.

Additional safety tips your Babymoon:

  • If you are flying you can ask to get expedited through TSA.  Walk up to your nearest TSA personnel and show him your belly. (Really it worked for me.)
  • If you are going international, most customs areas provide a separate line for families with small children and pregnant women.  Notify an airport employee or customs officers.
  • You can request wheelchair assistance if you need it when you are flying.  Just let your airline customer service or flight attendant know what you need.
  • Bring a written copy of your prescriptions with you just incase they get misplaced or delayed in baggage
  • Take a copy of your medical records or have it accessible in an email if you are leaving the country.
  • Check with your airline or cruise for any travel restrictions for pregnant women.
  • Verify that there is a doctor staffed on board your cruise.  If not, avoid going on this cruise in your last trimester.
  • Avoid spicy foods or any foods that can induce labor.
  • Jellied ginger is great for motion sickness for small cruises.
  • Request a refrigerator in your room if you want to keep things cool.
  • Take frequent breaks if you are driving.  Get out and stretch your legs.  You need circulation.  The same for long flights.
  • Don’t bring any worries with you.  Everything will be just fine.  Relax, breath, and enjoy your babymoon!

If you have more tips you would like to share leave me a comment or email me at katrina@mymommyflies.com.

Already have the baby and now you just need to getaway?  Check out this post.

Miami Girlfriends Getaway

 

8 thoughts on “Top Ten Babymoon Safety Tips”

  1. Sorry to hear that you got kidney stones during your babymoon—ouch!

    I would also add that you should check with your airline or cruise ship ahead of time. Sometimes if you’re too far along, they won’t let you travel. Also, if you’re going on a road trip, be sure to take plenty of breaks to stretch your legs and walk around.

    Sabrina
    http://www.babymoonadvice.com

  2. This was right on time for me…thank you! Me and my boyfriend are in the process of planning my birthday vacay/babymoon.

    Question – what cruise line did you sail? I really wanted to go on Carnival but they won’t allow you after 24 weeks, and I’ll be 25 weeks at the time we’re traveling 🙁

    1. Hi Rashida, honestly I do not recall which cruise line we sailed. It may have been Carnival but it was 8 years ago. I would suggest looking for another cruise line that can accommodate you or opting for a resort. You want to make sure you and the baby can be well cared for in the event you need care. Best of luck in your journey and thanks for reading!

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