Dear Alfred,
I was the 4 months pregnant wife, when my husband and I did our 1 month
drive-round in US Southwest last year in April.
Amongst other less streneous things the trip involved a trek down Grand
Canyon.
I managed both afternoon heat and distance reasonably well in spite of my
lack of general condition and trekking experience.
The trek down took 7hrs (normal average 3-4hrs) and the trek up took 12hrs
(normal average 8-9hrs). We took plenty of breaks especially on the last ½
up, where my husband also carried my backpack.
I kept my pulse below 120 at all times which became difficult during the
last stretch of the trek - should have started earlier that day to minimize
trek time in above 15 degrees Celcius.
In retrospect I would certainly travel again during a pregnancy and under
similar circumstances provided it was:
1. a *very* easy pregnancy - ie. I did 16hrs shifts once a week until I was
7months pregnant.
2. a once in a lifetime/or once in a decade chance to see a particular sight
that *I* wanted to see as well
3. a sensible travelcompanion who understood without *any* discussion that
the pace of any trekking is set by the slowest member of the party
On the other hand I would not have gone to XX if:
1. I could predict significant doubt in my/my husbands mind that a
spontaneous abortion was not related to the trip/stress during the trip if
it should occur.
2. the quality and access to health care services was too different from
Northern Europe - ie. handling obstetric complications and the like.
3. if the spectrum of infectious diseases was too different from Northern
Europe - a point mentioned by other posters.
4. there were no good reasons IMO that going with a baby/toddler/small child
later was not reasonably feasible
I could probably come up with more pros and cons but these were the most
important at the time.
You need to take a detailed and honest discussion with your wife about your
destination, the itenerary, the lodging/dining/transportation plans and what
*she* actually wants.
I would NOT recommend you to go anywhere if there is any chance that your
wife accepts a trip to XX in order to accommodate you. She might not forgive
you or herself if something happens to the foetus/baby.
Do bring a translation of your wifes health and pregnancy details on the
trip including blood type.
We went on a 1 month car trip Copenhagen-Sicily-Cph when our daughter Linea
was 5½ months old in April/May this year.
A great time to do car trips provided the baby doesn't get car sick:
1. they will usually sleep a lot of the driving time,
2. will be able to change between breastfeeding and spoon/bottle should the
breastfeeding end in a mess due to either the mother or the baby
3. they aren't too mobile or activity demanding yet
Last week we came home from 1 weeks driving around Bouches du Rhone
(Provence, France) with Linea now 13 months old. This time we did as follows
with success:
1. flew 2hrs and got a rental car
2. stayed in one place as a base - a holiday appartment (Gite) with its own
kitchen/bathing facilities
3. max. driving time pr. day 3 hrs.
4. get up and go sightseeing when the baby wakes, restaurant lunch at the
time when your child is in its best mood during the day or napping,
sightseeing or driving home, dinner at "home" at usual time 18, usual baby
bed time and relaxation for the adults
3. max. driving time pr. day
Travelling outside peak tourist season is less stressful for anyone
travelling with children.
Have a good trip w/o children
Cecilie Th. Jacobsen
"Alfred Molon" wrote in message
news:0585533b778f2ddf84e13685f3dbee41@news.meganetnews.com...
> My wife will be in the fifth month in December. Friends of us have told
> us that the fifth month is the best month for travelling as birth is
> still reasonably far away, but on the other hand the baby is stable
> enough.
>
> Having said this, has anybody travelled with a pregnant wife and if so
> what have been your experiences ?
> --
>
> Alfred Molon
> ------------------------------
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Olympus4040_5050/
> Olympus 5050 resource - http://www.molon.de/5050.html
> Olympus 5060 resource - http://www.molon.de/5060.html
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