Caribbean Travel While Pregnant

silvers626

So we are planning to go to the Dominican at the beginning of February. The trip is a vendor retreat for one of my customers at work so it's a work thing that is mostly vacation but a little work. The trip was planned before I knew I was pregnant. Today I went for a travel consultation with the doctor and he basically scared the crap out of me and now I don't want to go. They gave me another hepatitis A vaccine and a prescription for anti-malarial meds. Doctor said the risk from the meds is lower than the risk from malaria but taking the meds while pregnant is not well researched. Also you can't vaccinate for dengue fever and despite receiving numerous vaccines I am not and never will be immune to German measles both of which are a serious risk to consider in the DR. I also can't take anything for travelers diarrhea. So my question is, have any of you traveled there while pregnant in the past couple of years? Would you go? I'm pretty much feeling like no right now but I'll sacrifice the $2400 I paid for DS to join hubby and I.

Y0urm0m

I'd still go

HMcDade1

I just got back from a cruise to Nassau and Freeport and I took absolutely no preventatives before leaving. I am fine. I'm 15 weeks today. My doctor didn't seem concerned at all before I left- just said no hot tubs.

I guess I didn't really answer your question other than to say I am not sure why such differences in doctors responses?

Puddles03

I'd go, your doctor seems to be fear driven, did he also tell you to never drive because there are more risks driving than going to a retreat. I wouldn't worry.

jen11797

I don't know the health standards where you are going, but the resort I stayed at in the DR wouldn't be a place I'd go to when pregnant. The food, while pretty, tasted rather questionable, and they make it very clear to use bottled water for everything...even brushing your teeth. All that to say, I imagine every place has its own feel, but it may be worth looking up the specific resort and some reviews if you've not done that already. It may well be completely fine, but try to know some resort specifics.

Schmooie730

I was supposed to go to Costa Rica at the end of February for a friend's wedding but I was told not to go. Mainly it was because God forbid anything happen I would be in a third world country and using the hospital of a third world country. We debated just going, but we decided it wasn't worth the risk (especially at the time not knowing if I would still be sick or not feeling well).

I would say though that if you are thinking of going, make sure that you use bottled water for EVERYTHING. Even brushing your teeth. If it's a good resort they will bring you fresh bottles of water each day. Do not ever drink water that is not from a bottle opened in front of you. I've been the the DR and it's really beautiful but you still have to take precautions (even when not pregnant).

dolewhipper

I've gone to many places in the Caribbean, and lived in a third world country for 4 months. Yes, don't drink the water. This also includes ice. I think if you're smart about it then you should be fine. Careful hand-washing and attention to detail.

BioTeach84

I went to Mexico pregnant and had no issues what so ever.  I found out I was pregnant the week before we left.  I wouldn't have even thought twice about cancelling my trip. 

stillcozy

Are you going to a resort or hotel if so I'm sure you will be fine I'd hate to miss a trip like that! It sounds awesome!

AshGee18

As long as you're careful (even if you're not prego you should be) don't drink water not in a bottle, be careful with the foods (if it looks questionable don't eat it), stay on the resort. You should be safe. Most 4+ star resorts are generally quite careful with food and drinks and are quite clean.

sboston06

My doctor took a similar stance to @Schmooie730 . Basically, if something were to happen, they wouldn't have the medical facilities that were up to US standards to treat me. DH and I were going to go to Panama on our babymoon and switched it to London as of last night...

I do think it depends on what kind of place you'll be going though. I went to an All Inclusive in Mexico two summers ago and would feel safe going there pregnant, but hindsight is 20/20. You have to weigh the pros and cons and you and DH are the only ones who can make that decision.

born2run911

We did Costa Rica last pregnancy when I was 6 months. We ensured we drank bottled water and tried our best to be careful. I also called my insurance company just to make sure we had travel coverage including transport back to Canada if something health wise were to happen. We were covered to travel up to 36 weeks.

pourmeanothermocktail

Both myself and my mom have been to DR many many times in the last 10 years. Granted, neither was ever pregnant. But none of the times did we get any extra vaccinations or anything ahead of time. We always stayed on the resorts, nice ones, and used bottled water for EVERYTHING. We made sure to eat hot food hot and cold food cold. We've never had a problem or illness. I would do it again in a heartbeat, even right now.

My biggest concern of going while pregnant was whether I had any pregnancy related concerns. I wouldn't travel out of country past about 5 months I think, in case of preterm labor, even in a developed country as I wouldn't want to deal with doctors. If I was high risk at all, I wouldn't travel to Caribbean potentially at all, just due to lack of regular medical care available in an emergency.

If you have no major risk factors and won't be in your 3rd trimester, I'd say go and have a ball, but obviously up to you.

Brittnic531

I had never heard that you weren't supposed to eat salad when traveling until I got sick by eating a salad in Jamaica.  We were in a resort town at a nice restaurant (where I had eaten in the past) and didn't think twice about what I ordered.  I think the thought comes from the veggies and lettuce being washed in the water. Unfortunately, my food poisoning came from the mishandling of meat. The cook either prepared the salad where the raw meat was handled or made the salad without washing his/her hands after handling raw meat.  So, I would keep that in mind in addition to only drinking bottled water.  As long as you're smart, I think you'll be fine! 

silvers626

Thanks everyone for your advice. DH and I are going to discuss it tonight. My midwife wasn't concerned about me going as long as my vaccinations are as current as possible but the doctor at the travel clinic really made me think twice. We've been to the DR before and are actually staying next door to the place we stayed last time so I'm familiar with the area and expectations. It's a 5 star resort with good reviews on many websites. The bottled water thing I was already prepared for, but I would definitely need to be more careful about what I eat, especially salads and raw fruit that isn't peeled as I didn't really avoid that last time. The only thing the midwife said that she did preface with a disclaimer that it was uncomfortable to say was that if the worst case scenario happened with my pregnancy at the stage I'll be at, even at home there would be nothing to be done to save the pregnancy or baby. I do have adequate travel insurance and I have an ultrasound and appointment the week before we go for peace of mind. I'll see what hubby says tonight. So unsure!

jolydan

@silvers626 I've been to the Dominican not while pregnant but while on immunosuppressive meds. I had no problem but was really really careful with everything I ate/drank. I had packed a lot of snacks to compensate. Also, it's my personal experience but I hated the malaria meds, had bad side effects and the second time I traveled in a malaria zone I chose to use preventive measures and not the pills. You should check but most 4-5 stars
Resorts do bi-weekly sprays to prevent the bugs that causes malaria. Doctors often presents the worst case scenario, I think it's their job.

sboston06

Do some research about the locations of malaria cases on the island. At least when I was looking at Panama, it seemed like all the cases were really localized in one area and it was nowhere close to where we were looking to visit. So if you're staying in a totally different area, I'd consider prophylactic measures rather than the meds. I did a lot of research on the CDC website.

BostonBaby1

I don't know… I see both sides here.

Honestly, I think if you're staying in a five-star resort in the DR, chances are that you will be fine if you take all of the precautions like bottled water for everything and not eating salads. If anything taste at all funny, spit it out. We wanted to go to St. Lucia for a babymoon but my doctor said that he would really prefer that I not leave the country considering how high risk I am. I think that if your midwife is fine with it, you'll probably be fine. Obviously none of us can guarantee anything, but I do know that my MFM was very clear that he didn't want me going on that vacation. I would imagine that your providers would tell you the same.

On the flipside, even if there is only a slight risk, there is a risk with your inability to take certain medications and if you don't want to go then you shouldn't go. To hell with the $2400 that you spent because it doesn't make a bit of difference if you're not going to enjoy yourself and only be worrying. When do you need to make a decision by? I'm sorry if that wasn't helpful.

nugget71116

I know this anecdote is from a different time period, so different advice/concerns etc, but my mom not only lived in Panama (for my dad's work) while pregnant, she delivered my younger sister in a hospital there badass. I think it all depends on your temperament about risk; as some others have said, if you won't enjoy yourself while there bc you'll be too worried, don't go! That's how I feel about eating certain foods. If I'll only be worried later because I ate it, then it's not worth it.

We did a vacation to Europe last month and even though I'm pgal, I figure something can just as easily go wrong at home (and did before, for me...), so if you take the necessary precautions while traveling, you are being the most responsible you can and go with your decision. My doctor wasn't concerned that we visited Scandinavia, but she said toxoplasmosis can occur from eating fresh fruits/veg in England...go figure, the safer place, I thought. So I did my best to eat cooked or fried food (so tough...) and hope for the best! I will have a blood screening in 2 weeks per my Dr's advice. Doctors are there to protect against worst case scenario which is obviously worth considering.

Whatever you decide will be the right decision for you

GoBadgers

I've been following the microcephaly issue in Brazil and would be concerned about Zika virus. https://www.cdc.gov/zika/pdfs/possible-association-between-zika-virus-and-microcephaly.pdf you can also Google and find a ton of news articles. As of now, I don't think the virus is in the Caribbean, but I think there has been concern it could get there. Personally, I would travel to the Caribbean (and I was just there in Nov) but I would keep a close eye if zika is identified in the DR and would cancel in a heartbeat if it is.

PugsandKisses

Any one else thinking of SATC where Charlotte refused to eat anything in Mexico that was not prepared from the US. So she ate pudding the entire time. Even though it was a 5 star resort, 'It is still Mexico '.

DominiqueU

PugsandKisses said:

Any one else thinking of SATC where Charlotte refused to eat anything in Mexico that was not prepared from the US. So she ate pudding the entire time. Even though it was a 5 star resort, 'It is still Mexico '.

And then she got water in her mout while showering and crapped her pants.

BostonBaby1

"Poughkeepsied her pants"

xc1148

I just got back from the DR and had no issues whatsoever. Your doctor sounds crazy, no offense.

Are you staying in a hut in some remote village? Or a nice all-inclusive? You can't drink the water there...so you need to drink bottled water and avoid the ice. If you stay at a nice resort, the entire facility will have onsite water filtration....you can still avoid the tap water but ice/all food is fine. Honestly it just depends where you are staying and if it's a nice place or not.

I'm also going to disclose that I'm 101% beach bum so my answer is biased.

matryoshkadoll

I hope you decide to go and you can takes precautions so you aren't worried there. Sounds like a fun trip!

On a side note, I went to Thailand during my first pregnancy and it was amazing. Round trip tickets are less than $500 right now, I wish we had the time off to go!

silvers626

Thanks again everyone. I'm not especially worried about food/water since I know what to expect with that. It's really more rubella and malaria that worry me. But after talking with my husband last night we will probably go. I'll just have lots of bug spray and won't participate in any off resort activities or go to the markets. PGAL brain definitely plays a role in heightening my anxiety.

ETA I did look up the active malaria areas and Punta Cana is an active risk area which is where we are going.

DataJane

My friend is 4 months with twins and is in Costa Rica right now, her pictures look amazing. Obviously you've got to do your research and figure out what you are comfortable with but I would go!

TiffanyRickF

I just got back from a week long carribean cruise... dom, costa maya, cozmel, and Hondurus. We booked a long time ago and no way was I missing that. I had no special vaccines, im 15 weeks today and fine. Seems dr is way over cautious... Do you have any other health issues that could be triggered... We dont know your history but if everythings going good def go!!

stillcozy

Can I go?! I want a vacation somewhere warm so bad! Haha

Taymiller

New warning from the cdc for pregnant women not to travel to the Caribbean

https://nbcnews.to/202urUo

TiffRox81

@Taymiller I think I just read the same thing and came here to post! Apparently there's a mosquito transmitted something rather that can cause a severe birth defect, in the Latin America and Caribbean area.

Taymiller

I just saw it on the evening news. I yelled at DH to shut up so I could hear it and he asked why I cared we aren't traveling there and then said "oh mom blog people right?"

I guess they are issuing a warning as early as tomorrow for pregnant women not to travel to the Caribbean and some other locations down that way. There is no vaccine for it yet.

stillcozy

@Taymiller I love that he knows who we are haha

Taymiller

Lindsayleigh1989 said:

@Taymiller I love that he knows who we are haha

And then he asked "new mom blog or old?" Hahaha

jolydan

This article gave me the chills!! Virus killing the babies brain!! Horrible!!

Racso12

I am following this very closely. We are looking for places to go for a babymoon and my husband is really wanting the Caribbean. I'm glad they are releasing more information.

jlgriff11

I live for vacations but I saw the mosquito thing on the evening news here and no way no how would I go now. Not even remotely worth the risk.

silvers626

Well that's pretty disconcerting. Thanks for posting that @Taymiller because I haven't heard anything around here (I'm in Canada). I'm going to do some research on that now and see if I can talk to a health care provider about it.

HMcDade1

Lovely info as I just came back from there on Sunday. Ugh

GoBadgers

I agree, very scary. I've been following the zika situation since I first read about it a month or so ago. I also keep thinking back to my time in the USVI over Thanksgiving. I keep reminding myself that there have not yet been reports of it in the Caribbean, I wasn't around Mosquitos and I don't recall being bit, but a small amount of worry is still there... Like I posted above, I would watch the situation very carefully and cancel in a heartbeat if zika is confirmed where I was planning to vacation. Glad this is making prime time and drawing more attention. It is a very scary public health matter.

silvers626

WHO has a map of confirmed diagnoses and while the Dominican is not on there, both Haiti and Puerto Rico are so surely the risk is high in the DR if the countries flanking it have confirmed cases. The map is being updated every week, so that information is current as of January 6th. Scary. Plus I found this article about how the government is literally asking women not to get pregnant until they can reduce the risk. https://www.caribbean360.com/news/dominican-republic-advises-women-against-pregnancy-while-zika-threat-continues
If that's not telling I don't know what is. Having another chat with DH but now I'm pretty well convinced not to go.