South East Asia while pregnant

[Aimz]

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?

[Phteven]

There are lots of pregnant women in Thailand and Cambodia.

[HotI]

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.

[PumpkinZulu]

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

[lady_neon]

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.

[sangie]

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).

[Amy_jellybean]

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

[Aimz]

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!

[YoYo]

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

[Phteven]

!
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.

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.

[Trillian]

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.

[Nai]

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.

[Jennifer13]

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.

[boomba]

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

[Aimz]

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.

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.

[Phteven]

I was answering your second question.

Is it too risky?

In my opinion. No.

[buffy1]

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!

[HotI]

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.