Planning one last child-free holiday is now as important to expectant parents as selecting an obstetrician, studying SIDS prevention, buying a pram, and settling on a name, with the “babymoon” one of travel’s hottest happenings.
“One of the burgeoning trends we’re seeing in luxury travel right now is the rise of mums-to-be and their partners keen to squeeze in one last holiday before their bub arrives,” Luxury Escapes general manager Blake Hutchison says.
“Babymooners are opting for luxury with all the trimmings – massages, romantic dinners, breakfast in bed, poolside reading – and while luxe is top Bugaboos aren’t a small investment so, more often than not, a second criteria is cracking value for money.”
WHEN TO BABYMOON
According to The Travel Doctor – TMVC, the ideal time to travel is between the 12th and 28th week.
“In early pregnancy many women experience ‘morning sickness’,” the travel clinic website notes.
“This can last for weeks and in a few cases cause severe exhaustion and dehydration, (and) after 28 weeks the extra weight may cause fatigue.
“Long flights increase the risk of venous thrombosis in pregnancy – sitting in an aisle seat, drinking plenty of water, taking frequent walks, wearing varicose support stockings in flight help reduce the risk – (and) IATA regulations forbid pregnant women travelling on international flights from 35 weeks.”
UP IN THE AIR
The rules on flying with a bun in the oven are the same for Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Australia. Each airline requires passengers more than 28 weeks’ due to carry a letter from doctor or midwife including information such as delivery date and details on complications. The airlines have firm limits on when women must stop flying during a “routine pregnancy”, and on flights less than four hours it’s 40 weeks for single pregnancies or 36 weeks for multiple pregnancies, while for journeys greater than four hours it’s 36 weeks for single and 32 weeks for multiple.
SELECTING A DESTINATION
While Bali, Phuket, Fiji and New Caledonia are top babymoon destinations, doctors recommend staying closer to home and holidaying in Australia while pregnant because it reduces flying time, with local health care professionals offering reliable assistance should there be a problem.
Some overseas destinations restrict non-residents arriving when pregnant, while babymoons in Australia eliminate the need for travel vaccinations and preventative medication with domestic food and water standards more comprehensive here than some less-developed lands.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
“Overseas babymoons are becoming more popular and we understand expectant mothers have questions on what they are covered for,’’ Southern Cross Travel Insurance operations manager Lian Choong says.
“Our travel advice section offers advice on travelling while pregnant and, as with any overseas holiday, we encourage parents to understand their policy so they can enjoy one last holiday before baby arrives knowing they are covered.
“We cover pregnancy-related claims, costs or losses up to and including the 20th week, provided there are no complications prior to the customer purchasing insurance with us, (and) medical complications are covered, however some of the common symptoms associated with pregnancy may not be.
“At Southern Cross Travel Insurance travellers do not need to request information from their doctor to buy travel insurance, and insurance policy terms and conditions don’t vary whether our customer is having a single or multiple birth.”
Allianz insures up to 23 weeks into pregnancy, and while the company covers pregnant women for international travel it recommends “expecting parents discuss travel plans with their GP”.
