Traveling to Mexico when pregnant?

emgem819 · April 2017

My husband and have booked a "babymoon" for mid May to go to Puerto Vallerta for one week. Our twins are due in October so we figured this would be a good time to get a nice vacation and relax before babies are born. Things have been extra stressful this past month because we are still waiting on results from a CVS procedure that was done after an NT scan came back one of the babies had a 3.0mm neck, which was on the high side of normal. It's now been 2 1/2 weeks and we are still waiting for results. Hoping things are okay, but we're really in need of a vacation. Anyway, so we went to the doctor today, and told her we're going to Mexico in mid-May and she wasn't very happy. Said that it's not a good idea for pregnant women to travel to Mexico because of the Zika virus. We looked it up and there seems to be about 3 cases reported in the state of where Puerto Vallerta is located (not in Puerto Vallerta but in the state of Jalisco). My question is does anyone know anyone who's traveled to Mexico when pregnant and what is your opinion? If we canceled, we'd end up losing about $700 total.

JWatt5 · April 2017

My sister got married in Mexico in February - two months after I found out I was pregnant. I didn't go - my clinic literally will not treat you if you've been within 8 months or decide to go to Mexico while you are trying/in treatment.
Then once pregnant - highly recommends not going at all. I have one friend who went anyways at 6 months pregnant. All is fine - she was willing to take the risk. She wore a big spray, kept covered up. She too was somewhere that was a more low risk area, my sisters wedding was in a more risky area so I didn't want to chance it. I think it's a personal decision!

ARB425 · April 2017

@emgem819 I know a lot of the resort areas do spray for mosquitoes. We were in Cancun in February 2016(months before I was pregnant)and I didn't see one mosquito or get a single bite. I think you would have to call to ask about them spraying. My OB advised against any travel to Mexico and Florida during my pregnancy but he said that if for some reason we did decide to go that he could run blood work to check for the virus after a trip. He also mentioned using a bug spray with DEET protection. Ultimately we decided not to go to Florida this year. I think you just have the make the best decision for you and your family.

byrneme · April 2017

I think this again a case of each doctor being different. I have a friend who went in January to Puerta Vallarta and came home, went to her doc to get off the pill to start trying and the doctor had no issues. I have a friend who is ready to start trying going to Playa del Carmen in a few weeks whose doctor, similar to @JWatt5, advised them to not even think about it for 6 months since that's how long the virus can live in her DH's sperm. We used to live in the Caribbean and I've had several friends there relocate to the states once they found out they were PG until the baby was born and also have several still there just going about their lives. You have to do what you are most comfortable with.

emgem819 · April 2017

Thanks for weighing in ladies. It helps us come closer to a decision. I did email the resort to see about their spraying policy, but obviously there's going to be a risk either way.

babylonghorn16 · April 2017

Yikes, that's a tricky one. I agree with what everyone previously stated - you'll prob be fine, but there's a definite risk that you have to take into consideration. Personally, I'd have a hard time making the trip. I tend to worry a lot, and it just wouldn't be worth it to me. But you do you and wear lots of bug spray if you decide to go!

On another note: congrats on the twins!! It's been a while since we've chatted, and I'm so happy to see you back here!!

Can't wait to see lots of pics in the future!

hopeby2015 · April 2017

I personally wouldnt go - id be too worried about getting bit by a mosquito that id either not be able to enjoy anything or spend the entire time in the hotel room and spraying some kind of repellent. But its up to you - whatever you are comfortable doing.

emgem819 · April 2017

@babylonghorn16 thanks girl! Good to see you as well and you must be due any day now, right? Congrats!! Hope your delivery goes well.

babylonghorn16 · April 2017

@emgem819 Yes, currently 3 days overdue

! But tentative induction scheduled for Monday, so we'll have this baby soon regardless. Thanks for the well wishes!!!

Polythene Pam · April 2017

Our RE wouldn't even start treatments if you'd been to a place with Zika, but my OB isn't as concerned. My husband wants to do a quick cruise while it's "easier" with my 3 year old and it's in the back of my mind but the places are lower risk. I know people who went and didn't think twice. Just personal I guess!

nellin-2 · April 2017

We went to Vietnam just before we started IVF. When we booked there had been no reported cases but then they had an outbreak before we flew.
We were super paranoid about repellant and covering up at peak mosquito times and even sprayed our clothes with clothing repellant before we left. I got one single bite (through my pants!) but it wasn't the variety that carries the virus. I don't know if it's changed but at that stage it was only one single type that was a carrier.
My worry would be that I wouldn't want to use the hardcore deet repellant while pregnant as it's got some nasty chemicals but that's just me.

Do your research and do what you feel comfortable with!

mountainlady · April 2017

I had to cancel a trip near Puerto Vallarta - we decided after all this it wasn't worth the risk... but our friends that went 2 weeks ago said they only saw one mosquito in the resort washroom. Ooh you have a tough choice!

mous-2 · April 2017

Could you maybe manage to work something out with the airline to switch flight to somewhere else? We decided against anywhere with Zika and ultimately decided on Hawaii. Apparently Maui is full of babybumps as everyone pregnant is avoiding vacationing anywhere with Zika. Hope it all works out!

emgem819 · April 2017

Thanks for the suggestion @mous-2 I guess Delta issued refunds at no charge a year ago when Zika was first out but now that's its been out a year they don't do that anymore. We are now thinking of a replacement trip to Vegas! Certainly not as relaxing but it's warm and there are pools and lots to do!

mous-2 · April 2017

Vegas sounds just as fun! Maybe youll be able to win back the money you lost out on with the flight change!! Good luck!

wifeinraleigh28 · April 2017

Zika sucks and I'm SOOOOO over it!!! When will this bloody virus leave us alone so we can travel to all the amazing tropical areas again?!

I'm sorry you're needing to rethink your vacation. Such a bummer. But I have to echo all the other ladies here. It just wouldn't be worth the risk to me and I would be super anxious/paranoid the entire time. Mosquitos also love me and I always get way more bites than anyone else I know.

That being said, we did have our baby moon at Disney World, but it was January (when mosquito activity is low anyway) and the month before the FL health department had declared their entire state Zika-free. Orlando wasn't a concern anyway though, but that was the only reason we went. I've also never gotten a mosquito bite any time I've visited Disney because they spray like crazy all over their parks and resorts. For me to not get a bite there is pretty remarkable. I get bit at home all the time.

I hope you have fun if you go to Vegas! I love Vegas. There is so much to do there even if you don't drink/club/gamble (which I don't, even when not pregnant). I loooooove the Cirque shows!

emgem819 · April 2017

Thanks @wifeinraleigh28 for weighing in! We actually just cancelled our trip to PV and booked a trip to Vegas! So Vegas here we come! Won't be drinking or gambling (although im sure DH will!) but I'm still excited to lay by the pool and check out the entertainment...Cirque shows sound awesome!

sasha29-2 · April 2017

@wifeinraleigh28 When did FL declare Zika-free? DH was just there last month (Ft Lauderdale, Miami, the Keys) and while I don't think he got bit, we're still both really paranoid. It was one of those things that neither of us connected the dots on til after he was home. I'd really like to be able to not worry about using stupid condoms for the next six months, I really thought that part of my life was over lol.

JWatt5 · April 2017

Woohoo Vegas - you'll have a great time. I go every year for work (World of Concrete Show lol - sounds so lame but I have a great time with my teammates) and then we Honeymooned there. I love Vegas more during the day I think than at night.

emgem819 · April 2017

Awesome @JWatt5 can't wait to check out the show selection! I agree...I plan to be more of a day time Vegas tourist and less about the nightlife!

JennyColada · April 2017

We went to PV for our honeymoon and my legs for bit up like crazy. For some reason, mosquitos just love me. I simply cannot come back from a tropical vacation (regardless of how much DEET spray I wear, how many anti-bug bracelets I have on) without at least 6 bug bites on my legs. Meanwhile, my husband can go anywhere and do anything and come back totally bite free.

So personally, knowing my body, I wouldn't go.

I think you made an awesome choice with Vegas. Such great food and the shows are awesome!

caseyw8784 · April 2017

@sasha29-2 - FL declared that they were zika-free right around the new year. DH and I had cancelled an early December trip to visit my parents, but once they were free we went for a long weekend in late Jan/early Feb. We both took all the precautions, but didn't see a single mosquito, and we were just north of Ft Lauderdale.

mountainlady · April 2017

Vegas is the best vacation - make sure you go to Red Rocks and wander off trail a little too!

wifeinraleigh28 · April 2017

@sasha29-2 Like @caseyw8784 said, FL declared they were Zika-free in December. I have no idea if that has changed recently though!

@emgem819 Have a blast in Vegas! Where will you be staying? As for Cirque shows, while I haven't seen them all, I highly recommend Ka and One (if you're a Michael Jackson fan). Both are amazing.

JennyColada · April 2017

@wifeinraleigh28 I ditto Ka. We saw that and it was fantastic!

emgem819 · April 2017

@wifeinraleigh28 we are staying at the W Las Vegas (just opened dec 16) which is on the strip but no casino which I'm ok with! I think we are going to the Cirque One show which I'm sooo excited for as I love MJ and DH does too!

EmilyE13 · April 2017

@emgem819 I think it's a smart move. You'll have a blast in Vegas, and I'm sure the W will treat you well! We booked our babymoon for mid-May in Charleston after ruling out fun tropical places.

I sure hope PV can be declared Zika-free ASAP, as my husband's and my absolute favorite vacation spot is in Punta Mita (just outside PV), and we haven't been back since TTC.

wifeinraleigh28 · April 2017

@emgem819 The W sounds lovely! I've stayed at the one in NYC and it was awesome, so I imagine the new Vegas location is fantastic. I'd be cool with the no casino as well! Have such a blast at One!! It is an amazing show, and as a MJ fan I definitely teared up several times (so bring tissues)!

emgem819 · April 2017

Thanks @wifeinraleigh28 I'll be sure to bring the tissues! With my extra sensitive pregnant self I'm sure they will come in handy!

caseyw8784 · April 2017

@emgem819 - Next time I'm in Vegas I'm going to see the MJ one...! I've also seen "Zumanity"...but that's a bit more adult-rated...lol! And "Love" is amazing, as well. Have a great time!

sasha29-2 · April 2017

@caseyw8784 That's great news! DH didn't see a single mosquito down there either, and I kinda thought was early for them yet, but it definitely puts my mind at rest a bit.

Also, I really liked Zumanity in Vegas- but yes, more adult-oriented 100%. I've probably seen a dozen Cirque shows in person (we go see the traveling ones when they come around), honestly, I've never been really disappointed by one. As someone who does some acro-stuff like that (pole dance, silks, trapeze- though nowhere near that level), even the stuff that doesn't "wow" a lot of people, I know first hand how difficult it is, so I pretty much sit there in awe the whole time.

jackiesmom324 · April 2017

Yay I'm glad you went with vegas!! Better safe than sorry and it will be less mental anguish later especially now that the more information that comes out about the effects of zika and they are just so sad.

emgem819 · April 2017

@jackiesmom324 I know and we just didn't want to take that risk! The point of a vacation is to relax and I think I'd be too worried I'd get bit to really relax:)

jackiesmom324 · April 2017

Yes and yay please enjoy it.. You and your family deserve it.. Dear goodness this infertility sure can put us through the ringer

JuliaGoolia719 · May 2017

When DH and I went to Vegas 2 yrs ago we rented a car and road tripped to the south rim of the Grand Canyon for a day (literally left at like 4am and dropped off the car back at the airport at 1150pm we just cabbed it back and forth to the airport to get/drop off the rental) we booked a few tours etc and had a blast, it was good to get out of the city for a day. Obv we didn't get to do any major hikes, but it was a good overview and one of our favorite days on that trip!

emgem819 · May 2017

@JuliaGoolia719 awesome suggestion, we will have to check that out! I've been to the Grand Canyon before but it would be a different experience to go with DH as he's never been and the south rim is probably amazing as well.

Traveling to Mexico when pregnant?

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