Second trimester international travel question

bluesky24

Hey gals, I'm struggling with a planned international trip and what to do...the only other person who knows about this pregnancy is DH, so I need some impartial advice from my fellow August 2016 mamas...Before I found out I was KU, DH and I booked a two week trip to Shanghai to visit my brother and SIL, who live there for the next few years for my brother’s job. Now, it would happen in my 20th+21st weeks, assuming everything goes as planned with this pregnancy (no reason to believe it wouldn’t, but just hedging a bit…)

The long flight (15 hours from where we live) + risk with getting sick from the food, strenuous travel, unknown medical resources, poor air quality, etc. are making us both nervous…plus I’ve had a cervical biopsy procedure that makes my risk for incompetent cervix higher, though it’s far too premature to judge that. I’m sad because I don’t want to give up an opportunity to see my brother and SIL, both of whom I love and don’t get to see that often…and we’ve been planning this trip for so long.

We haven’t had a chance to talk to our Dr yet, meeting with them on 1/11 and will bring it up. In the meantime, we should really tell my brother and SIL if we are going to change or cancel...

Do we cancel the trip? Go but make a less strenuous/safer itinerary that includes staying in populated cities or going somewhere else a bit more Western like Hong Kong/Japan? Has anyone done a long haul during a past pregnancy at a similar stage? Traveled to Asia?

Sekerambo

Definitely talk with your doctor but if everything is looking good and you are considered low risk then I would go.  I found 2nd trimester a great time to travel.  I had energy again and I wasn't to the point of being so big I was uncomfortable.  If you have planned for a really strenuous trip then I would slow it down a bit and I would also make sure the hospital isn't a days journey away.  I would also be a little cautious with the food and stay away from places that look questionable.  It sounds like a fun trip. 

Tra1010011

My wedding is next month and we will be going to Spain for two weeks for our honeymoon, from weeks 11-13. I also will likely have some international travel for work during my second tri. I looked into my insurance and they have a program that covers you and provides support services during international travel. They have an app and everything and I was able to map out preferred participating hospitals in all the cities where I will be traveling. That gave me huge peace of mind. I suggest talking with your dr and seeing if your insurance company has a similar program so that you can line up health care support everywhere you go. Hopefully you will never need it (nor will I!) but it's good to be prepared.

DuchessJP

I went to Thailand and Cambodia this year, so I understand your concerns about traveling to Asia pregnant. I would definitely discuss with your ob-gyn (especially about the cervix, they would be the best ones to advise you) but I would also look up a travel doctor (usually it's an infectious disease specialist that also does travel medicine). We had to get several vaccines before traveling to Asia as well as daily malaria prophylaxis while we were there, and I am not sure which would be safe in pregnancy. Shanghai is very developed though compared to Phuket and Cambodia so you might not even need these things...but I would definitely ask!

Just like any long plane flight, make sure you get up and walk around to prevent blood clots, you are at higher risk in pregnancy.  Especially in Asia where a lot of food is foreign to you, take your time to find stuff that's safe and only drink bottled water. I am not sure about China, but in Thailand their water purification systems are way different and you can get sick. 

I travel a lot. Lol. Happy and safe travels!  Sounds like an amazing adventure!

texasmama2014

I would definitely talk to your dr. But ultimately do what you feel is best!

toriallenh

So funny, I'm leaving in less then two weeks for Korea, Shangahi, and Hong Kong and have been wondering the same things!

I went to the travel dr today who I normally got to for vaccines, malaria meds, Cipro (sp? A med to take with in case you get sick while overseas) All my normal pre-trip prep. But they couldn't give me anything because of the baby. I wasn't surprised, but wanted to do my due diligence. So next stop is my OB!

Good Luck! I'm jealous cause I'd much rather go in 2nd trimester

mimihatesyou

high five, i'm also leaving for china at 21 weeks!  i'll land in beijing, which has far worse air quality than shanghai.  shanghai's not bad at all- its humidity and proximity to water helps mitigate the atmosphere.  at the worst, it just feels muggy and humid all the time.

shanghai is probably the most western of all the major chinese cities- it's the largest city in the entire world by population, a global financial center, hugely popular tourist destination, home to the highest number of international expats, and the birthplace of everything modern in china.  the technology and architecture of the city would put any american metropolis to shame.  shanghai also has several international hospitals that would treat you without a language or cultural barrier to hurtle over.  i would not stress about the locale- you are not headed to a rural village by any stretch of the imagination. 

i travel back to china just about every other year, and the worst part is the long flight.  i plan to steer clear of street food vendors this time (truly unfortunate- my favorite part of these trips is eating my way through every food cart in sight like a monster).  you'll have no shortage of restaurant choices- just stick with clean, reputable establishments that cater to tourists, stick with bottled water, and you should be fine!

edit: and for what it's worth, throughout all my trips back to china and despite eating my way through the sketchiest of carts and stalls and restaurants that were just people's houses, i only suffered food poisoning once (from a popular noodle joint, no less!).

Kristin712

My OB told me today that international travel before 28 weeks is just fine and that he would prefer it if it were to a place with good medical care.

I don't know much about Shanghai, but always imagined it as a a large city with great resources.

crob5685

Contemplating going to Mexico during second trimester for a friends bachelorette party. I plan to ask my doctor if he has concerns. Also just trying to decide if it is worth the money to go if I'm pregnant. Don't want to bring down the group, but want to be there for my girlfriend.

lolasugi

Hi! This is my first post, but your situation rang a bell for me, so here goes!

I live in Japan and am traveling to Las Vegas next week (I'll be about 9 weeks along), which is a similarly long haul. I can sympathize with your anxiety! My doc OKed the trip, and I've heard that the second trimester, when you'll be traveling, is really the most comfortable time to travel during a pregnancy. Still, you have some specific concerns, like about the possibility of having an incompetent cervix, about air pollution, and about medical resources. I think the best thing is to ask your doctor. You can call the office to get some answers before your scheduled appointment.

Good luck!

ElizabethM30

Another consideration is health insurance. Im Canadian (3rd party travel insurance) and I was told that I may or may not be covered if I required care overseas.

I had a bladder infection and a small bleed in my first trimester and my insurance company told me I wouldn't be covered if any pregnancy issues came up. Similarly, I had insurance but the insurance doesn't cover a newborn (not born yet). So a preterm labour wouldn't cover any NICU care for baby. That kiboshed our trip with our last pregnancy but I was further along than you so might not matter

bluesky24

You guys are all amazing- thank you thank you thank you for taking the time to weigh in. I'm feeling more confident about the trip in general and will talk with my doctor at my appointment in 20 days (but who's counting?!) I'll also look into my insurance to see what's covered. To everyone traveling soon, have a great, safe, fun and relaxing trip!!!