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DP and I are going to Asia in 4 weeks time and we've just found out we're pregnant!
First stop is to Singapore to spend some time with my parents which will be awesome as they're so excited about this baby.
Second stop was going to be Cambodia (but we haven't booked yet) and third stop was going to be Thailand.
I'm hesitant to go to Cambodia now And a bit hesitant about Thailand.
Has anyone else been to these countries while pregnant and what were your experiences? Is it too risky?
There are lots of pregnant women in Thailand and Cambodia.
i went to Cambodia and Vietnam. left australia when i was 13 weeks pregnant, morning sickness had just eased which was nice. i had an awesome trip. still got tired in the arvo and had nanna naps under the fan and was good to go out again for dinner. haven't been OS since kids, so definitely worth i t if you feeeling ok.
Especially that early on I don't think it's too risky. Just eat foods you'd normally eat if that's what you mean by risky :)
Congrats!
Personally, I wouldn't do Asia. But then I have a terribly sensitive stomach and would get crook at the drop of a hat. DH wanted to go to Bali, yeah, no thanks darl see you when you get back!
Are you going to mention it to your GP? That'd be the first thing I'd do :)
ETA - Onyx yes I thought that too but their bodies are used to the local viruses, dodgy food & water etc.
Hhmmm I'm not sure but then I've a very sensitive tum too. DH wanted to go to bali when I was pg with DS and I wasn't comfortable with it so we didn't go (I've since been and glad I didn't go when pg. I think the heat would have been too much for me let alone being worried about getting bali belly!).
If you decide to go I'd just be very very careful about what and where I ate (which I'm sure you would be).
Singapore you will be fine - I just got back and I'm 14 weeks pregnant. I would be fine about going to thailand, just be careful where you eat. But personally I would skip cambodia, it's still a lite third world and your chances of getting sick are much higher there.
I'm going to Bali at 18 weeks preg for a work trip and then again with DH at 30 weeks preg for a babymoon. I've been 16 times though and know where to eat etc so it doesn't worry me.
Xxx
I wasn't talking about care in hospitals - but more so the fact that Malaria and Dengue Fever are prevalent in areas such as Siem Reap (Cambodia) where we would be travelling to, not to mention the water-borne, food-borne, parasitic and other infectious diseases that many travellers seem to succumb to (including my Mum who is still recovering from a parasite during her travels there some weeks ago). My mum is a vigilent traveller, and still got sick.
Women who live in these countries have immune systems different to ours. But thank you, Onyx, for pointing out that there are pregnant women in Cambodia and Thailand, in case I didn't realise.
We have decided to skip Cambodia and will spend the extra time in Singapore with my family.
Thanks for all of the helpful responses!
You won't have any trouble in Singapore. That's where I spent most of my pregnancy with DD. just don't eat from places without an A rating.
Dengue fever is in Singapore, but they fog and spray chemicals for that.... Which i personally think is worse.
You'll be AOK there. Nothing to worry about :)
Huh? It's not like the women of Asia are a different species. Their immune system is identical to ours. They are no more immune to malaria, chicken pox, whooping cough or Listeria than anybody else however they do lack the luxury of prophylaxis and immunisation and in some cases good nutrition. I have travelled extensively in SE Asia without so much as a cold.:
One thing I'd be concerned about would be travel vaccinations etc. I know you travelled extensively a while back, did you have vaccinations them? Are thy still current? I would also be checking out treatments for malaria etc and if you can have them during pregnancy JIC you do get it.
I would also be fine with Thailand, I travelled there pregnant (ok so I got pregnant there but I spent a few weeks in the early stages). Just make sure yo take precautions with preventing illness and disease and ensur your hygiene is good. It sounds like you have made a good choice spending mor tin in Singapore.
I know some vax for travel aren't advised while pg because they're live. You can check with a GP as to what that would mean for you.
Omg congratulations! That's so exciting Hun!
As for travel I think you would be ok but like jen said I would be more worried about the vaccines...although you have only recently traveled so you may be covered!
Go have fun! Xx
Were you pregnant when you travelled there Onyx? I'm asking for others experiences who have travelled Asia while pregnant, particularly if they got sick while over there.:
I was answering your second question.
In my opinion. No.:
Is it too risky?
Hi Aimz
We went to Bali when I was six weeks pregnant. I followed the same guidelines there as I would here, and was particularly vigilant about bottled water for brushing teeth etc and washed hands frequently. We took hand sanitizer gel with us everywhere.
Food wasn't an issue, aside from the fact that I felt so crook with morning sickness I could barely stomach a thing! Such a waste of delicious Balinese treats too.
I agree re: travel vax, chat to your GP. I had them while I was pregnant as I felt the risk of not having them outweighed any small risk of a reaction. But that's a completely different topic :)
Have a wonderful time!
As above i travelled through vietnam and cambodia while pregnant. i didn't get any vaccinations before i went, but haven't had them when i travelled in the area and wasn't pregnant either. We did get travel insurance (for the first time) in case there were medical issues.
I went to Bali when I was 5 weeks pg with Miss P. I had not problem - just use your common sense... and have a great time!
Hi Aimes,
I just wanted to wish you and awesome holiday! I am currently pregnant with twins - and went to Phuket when I was 11 weeks pregnant for a week. I went with my DH and 3GS old and 10 yr old. We did 4 days in Phuket and then 4 says at Phi Phi Island. We had an absolutely amazing trip. I didn't get sick - made sure all the food I ate was very hot (temperature not spice - although I ate my fair share of spicy food as well) and only drank bottled water (including teeth brushing). I think you'd be fine assuming your staying in a decent hotel and don't eat off the streets!
We spent a week in bali as well - when I was 18 weeks (I'm currently 26.5 w) - no problems there either, but like AmyjB I go there often and am pretty familiar with where I eat...
I have no regrets about either of these trips - my OB was supportive of me going health wise. In hindsight - perhaps it was risky from a travel insurance perspective. We had full travel insurance - but I wouldn't have been covered had I personally have needed to use it. Overseas travel when pregnant with twins is almost impossible to get insurance for, an IVF pregnancy is tough as well. Touch wood we were lucky we didn't need it.
I had a 'pregnancy massage' every day while we were on Phi Phi island. - but only after establishing that the masseuse did know the difference from a normal massage (and a sneaky phone call to my OB who said it was fine but not to let them massage my feet just to be on the safe side).
Have a wonderful trip!
Does travel insurance cover you if you're pregnant at the time of travel?
i hope you have an easy first trimester, to enjoy your trip. I was sick as a dog for the first four months of my preg, i coudln't leave my home, let alone the country at that stage. but everyone experiences pregnancy differently.
Normally to be covered by insurance you need to take out the policy prior to finding out you are pregnant. Once you are pregnant it is classed as a 'pre existing medical condition,
I am covered but im paying about three times as much for my policy!
If you are feeling ok, and keen on seeing Cambodia, i would take the opportunity now cos it won't be as easy when you have a little one. It is an amazing place.
If you're questioning it and arguing your point with others who are giving logical reasons why you should go, then, no I don't think you should travel there while pregnant.
If it were me, I'd be there in a heartbeat - pregnant or not. Once you've got children travelling is much harder and more expensive.
Personally, I wouldnt, but then I wont go through security scans or fly when pregnant, due to possible radiation exposure. It all depends on your level of paranoia. Mine is obviously extreme.
You weigh up the level of risk you're comfortable with against possible risks of a situation and make the best decision for you. For some, that could mean trekking through the Golden Triangle at 20 weeks gestation. For others, it's not driving in Australia in case some idiot runs into you.