Did you and DH take one last trip before the baby came?

[Pink_Converse]

Where did you go, how pregnant were you and how was it?

[December27JJB]

DH surprised me with a trip to Washington DC We were watching tv one night and there was a shot of the Capitol Building on tv and I said, "I miss DC" He said, "We will be there in ___ weeks" I was like :eek: It was a nice surprise! We stayed at the Willard Intercontinental, ordered room service, and went to our very favorite Indian restaurant the 2nd night. I was about 4 months pregnant. The day after we left DC, we found out the sex of the baby. So it was nice to go to 'our old place' one last time before finding out the sex and before the baby came. The only thing that sucked was we were really sick. I wouldnt trade anything in the world for memories like these! We are going back to DC next week with DD for the first time! (Im getting teary here now!)

[DisneyGirl]

We went to DisneyWorld when I was about 7 months Pregnant. We had a lot of fun, but it was 100 degree the whole week we were there and I could not stand the heat.

[Pink_Converse]

Disney-Were you able to do very much being 7 months pregnant? Are there things you can ride?

[Cali_Katy]

We took a trip to Hawai when I was, I think, nine weeks pregnant to celebrate DH's 30th birthday and our 3rd anniversary. It was wonderful, but when is Hawaii NOT wonderful? We did a lot of hiking, and physically I was still fine, of course. I was, however, in the throes of morning sickness, and most evenings all I could stomach was the though of a grilled cheese and fries from room service. Needless to say, we did not go out to eat on that trip very often. I think traveling in your second trimester is probably a better bet.

[lml41981]

We intended to go to Vegas before DD came, but DH's former employer laid him off and then he got a new job. When DH was laid off, we didn't want to spend the money to go...and when he got a new job, he didn't have vacation time built up.

I'll be honest...I sometimes feel sad that we didn't go anywhere - especially Vegas because we were married there and I can't see us taking DD there, so I don't know when we'll get to go back.

[jennylou]

We spent 10 days in CA around Thanksgiving. We started in Oakland (near San Fran if you don't know) and ended up seeing just about everything in between (we drove down as far as San Diego). It was nice, but it wasn't a trip that we'll never take again. My family lives there, so I'd like to think we'd be able to take a trip like that every once in a while.

[newyorkgirl]

After DH and I got married, we wanted to make our wedding anniversary special, so we decided to take a trip to visit one state every year on or around our anniversary. Since we didn't know exactly how else to go about it, we decided to do it alphabetically. We did Alabama and Alaska before I got pregnant. Then, since DS was due in July (which is when we got married), we bumped up our third anniversary trip to April and went to Arizona when I was about 29 weeks pregnant. We spent a long weekend in Sedona and did a day trip up to the Grand Canyon, and we actually did quite a bit of hiking (well, as much as I could handle) and sightseeing. We even hiked a little bit into the Grand Canyon. It was great, because we managed to continue our tradition, and Arizona in April is much better than Arizona in July.

[BTB]

We planned one while TTC - a real blow-out. Celebrity CruiseLines has, a couple times per year, a "Celebrity Escapes" cruise that is adults only. No families, no children - everyone on board must be at least 21. The Escape we chose was going up and down the Mexican Riviera for 10 days which included New Year's. What a party, right? :D Would've been a heck of a splurge, we were really looking forward to it.

In the end we couldn't go. I would've been about 21 weeks pregnant at the time, so not big or uncomfortable, but I unexpectedly had a high-risk pregnancy, and could not travel.

Maybe someday, when DD's old enough to stay with Grandma, DH and I'll take a trip just the two of us. Not nearly that long a trip, though, I'd miss DD terribly. Hard to imagine being away from her at all! It would've been fun, but honestly, with DD here safe and sound I don't mind having missed it.

[Sal03]

I was about 5 months pregnant and we went to Vegas. It was a lot of fun. We loved all the restaurants and Vegas is the perfect place to go because there are tons of delicious restaurants and clean bathrooms everywhere. I was worried about the smoke, but the new casinos are not smoky at ALL, they are so well ventilated. Plus there is always somewhere to sit down and take a break. And we also did a day trip to the Hoover dam. I highly recommend taking a trip, we are so glad we did.

[jki]

With DS, I was 4 months pregnant and we went to Africa for a month.

With DD, I was about 3 months pregnant and we went to Hawaii (the Big Island) for 10 days. We planned that I would be in the 2nd trimester and it was wonderful. I was out of the first trimester and still small enough so that I wasn't uncomfortable all the time and didn't have to pee all the time!

Both trips were amazing. I think it's great to spend some quality time with DH before the baby arrives.

[Mystikal]

DH and I are thinking of doing this, too. I think it's a great idea!

[BeachBum]

We went to Italy when I was about 25 weeks. It was a fabulous trip. I felt great and I'm so glad we did it.

[Mrs. M.]

We went to the US from Europe at about 6 months pregnant. I was given a baby shower there (early), because they are not done here at home. The plane ride was not super comfortable, but I did just fine and we had a great time.

Then, we went on a short trip of a few days at about 6 weeks before the due date. We traveled by car and stayed in our own country. We thought about it and it would have been ok to have the baby at another hospital, since the medical care here is great. I had a normal (not risky) pregnancy and there were no indicators that baby would be early. It was wonderful!

[wildcat]

We did one last big trip before we started TTC, 3 weeks of backpacking through Europe. I'd always dreamed of doing it and knew it would be next to impossible once we had kids (either couldn't leave them with grandparents that long and wanted the trip to be just DH and I). It was amazing and I'm so glad we did it. We can't wait to take DD and any other future kids to some of our favorite places someday.

We also did one last vacation while I was about 22 weeks pregnant...a week or so in NYC. It was great, I still felt fine, could get around fine, and the plane ride didn't bother me (3 hours). If I'd waited about 6 more weeks, it would have been pretty rough to do all the walking we did.

[Kiley]

Florida when I was 24 weeks. Had a great time and so glad we did it!

[kimthebride]

Ahhh....our babymoon was to sunny Aruba! It was wonderful to get away just the two of us. I had restless legs for half my pregnancy so the flight wasn't the most fun I've ever had, but tolerable and worth it. I'd rather have restless legs on a 3-hour flight to Aruba than in my cold livingroom. :D

A lot of the activities there are too active for a preggo, but I had a nice time relaxing, spa-ing, walking, doing the touristy tours, hanging out on the beach, napping and going to dinner with DH every night. It was so wonderful.
Oh, and DH got to feel the baby really kick the first time when we were there. He started kicking SO hard that week you could see him pushing my belly out in little foot/fist shapes. Very cool.

Here I am loving Aruba at just over 5 months pregnant:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5dc01b3127cce9034f0d9bac300000016108AbMmzRk5bNM

[curlywig]

We kind of did....There is a Ritz-Carlton about 30 minutes away from where we live. We went for a long weekend when I was about 34 weeks pregnant. I was big and uncomfortable, but so so happy we went. We literally ate, walked, watched movies, and I took a lot of baths in their HUGE tubs. For some reason, that felt even better to me than swimming in their pool.

Not a major vacation, but a nice get-away none-the-less.

[Dally]

We went to Maui when I was 22 weeks pregnant. I felt great, and we were both really glad we did it. Vacations in the future will be pretty different for a while, so it was nice to just enjoy each other in a beautiful place without any worries or responsibilities. :)

[Alanna]

we went to Bermuda when I was 13 weeks pregnant...

It was super nice... i want to go again...

Caveat however. For some women (me) pregnancy makes them sunburn easier... i got the worst burn of my life while i was there. Id definitely do it again.. but i would slather myself in higher sunblock for sure.

[susie96]

We went to NYC right before Christmas when I was 19 weeks pregnant. It turned out perfectly, as this was the time I felt the best! We walked a lot and saw lots and just took time to rest when I needed to. Plus, there were wonderful restaurants that I splurged on.

[kindermom]

We regret not going away. I would recommend it to anyone who is pregnant.

[SD601]

Went to Hawaii at 14-15 weeks pregnant. Still had morning sickness and I felt awful. I am glad we had one last vacation together but wish we waited until about 20-24 weeks.

[Mrs.Chappy]

we booked flights to london (reserved) then the following week i found out i was preggers and would be entering my second tri by thetime we left..i'm thankful we cancelled as i was pooped!! i don't really have regrets b/c i know we can go away and our parents would gladly watch the baby. we were in the Bahamas three months before we conceived so i guess thats why

[mel7dog]

We are going to Vegas on Nov 7th! I'll be 16-17w pregnant, so hopefully I will be plenty comfy. Even though I can't drink or go on rides I figure there will be plenty else to do for 5 days :D

[Club924]

let's see...i was about 5 weeks pregnant when we went to NYC for 5 days. and then when i was about 18 weeks pregnant, we went to oahu. we called it our "babymoon" since we didn't get to go on a honeymoon. we knew that we wouldn't be going anywhere anytime soon when the baby arrived, so it was great! i think being in your second trimester during the trip is the best time...i was comfortable walking long distances (walked up Diamond Head in Oahu), plus, i was able to splurge on eating :D.

[Pookie]

Went to DC at 3 weeks pg (of course, I didn't know it:) We went to Cali for my cousin's wedding at 22 weeks I think. Our final trip was going to be at 33 weeks with my OB's blessing. However at my appt 2 days before, I was diagnosed with PIH and on bedrest until I was induced.

[marathongirl]

Sort of. DH was going to London on business. It was kind of short notice, but he talked me into going with him (I really hate flying). I was about 10-11 weeks PG and I am SUPER glad I went even though I did all the touristy stuff by myself since DH was at work. I felt great, we only had to pay for my airfare, and figured it would be a while before we could do something like that again. Plus, DH said it was nice being able to come back to me in the hotel at the end of the day.

[onomatopoeia]

curlywig, we did the same thing.. had a long weekend in a hotel about an hour away. We got a suite w/ a whirlpool. I was 7 months preggo.

[Renrel]

We live in Boston. We visited my InLaws in Boca FL for one week and borrowed their car to take us to Key West for 5 days or so. It was very nice, though I was a bit bummed being unable to drink or eat in a place known for both those activities. We went 2nd trimester, just after the Amnio but before the results came in. I don't remember the week. We also took a long weekend to visit friends who live in Canada sometime during the third trimester and attended a wedding in PA also during the third trimester. I had fun and have no regets about traveling, but I did have a fairly comfortable pain free pg.

[tinkerbelljenny]

We actually went to Portland, OR three weeks before I gave birth. We only stayed two nights but it was such an amazing trip and we still talk about it to this day. It was so nice to spend that time with DH before the baby. It was a little uncomfortable flying though because I was so huge but we got upgraded so we were happy.

[cagey]

we scheduled a trip last summer for a week in Mexico in late January. I'll be at the end of my 2nd tri, but still okayed for travel.

So, no RumRunners for me, but lotsa smoothies and weightless floating in the pool/ocean!

[SiValleySteph]

We went on a "babymoon" to Mexico when I was 18-19 weeks pregnant and had a great time. We did everything we would normally do (with the exception of me having cocktails :p).

It was only "one last trip" in the sense that it was one last trip as a two some. We've been on a ton of trips with DS since he was born and are headed to Hawaii in a few weeks.

[ellybelle]

We went to Iceland and England when I was 24-26 weeks. It worked out quite well -- we hiked and took an off-road tour in Iceland, rode a tandem bike on a canal towpath in Bath and spent some time in London. The only hard part was walking around London -- I could definitely tell that I was hitting the 3rd trimester, because my feet got very tired, and the humidity got to me. Overall, well worth it!

[BooeyJ2]

We went to New York when I was about 5+ months pregnant. We did a ton of walking and I was super tired....but we had a great time :) I'm really glad we went...especially since it's so hard to go anywhere once you have a baby ;)

[sophiapb]

We went on a Western Caribbean cruise when I was 22 weeks with twins. I had TERRIBLE 24 hour sickness almost the whole pregnancy but got a reprieve from 18-24 weeks. The cruise fit right in there. I was not able to go tubing in Belize which I wanted to do and in fact my one ill day when I was miserable with a migraine was during our stop in Belize (the desire to see Belize was the whole reason why I booked the cruise :mad: ). However, I was able to do everything else including snorkeling with the stingrays in Grand Cayman plus I took FULL advantage of the many buffets and fantastic dining room menus to fatten up the babies.
It was our last "Hurrah" and I'm glad we did it.

[Pink_Converse]

We went on a "babymoon" to Mexico when I was 18-19 weeks pregnant and had a great time. We did everything we would normally do (with the exception of me having cocktails ).

It was only "one last trip" in the sense that it was one last trip as a two some. We've been on a ton of trips with DS since he was born and are headed to Hawaii in a few weeks.

That's what I meant. One last trip with just the two of you pre-baby. It's funny, when we've gone on vacations in the past I've thought about how fun it would be to have a baby/child there with us, like on our Mexican beach vacations. I think having a baby will enhance the fun in some ways. I hope travel doesn't stop once we have a baby because we just started doing it the last few years and I am not done yet!!

[seattleguamgirl]

We went to Munich and Paris when I was 23 weeks preggo. We spent about 10 days abroad. DH had a business trip to Munich so I tagged along and we added a stay in Paris. It was really tiring, but so worth it!

[Jess71903]

Bumping up this thread in hopes of some more replies!

I JUST found out that I am pregnant, EDD 9/12/07. Just 2 days before we found out, we booked a trip to Disney World in March, when I would be 4 months. I said we should keep our reservations, but DH insisted that we cancel. We are both big ride, rollercoaster people and he didn't want to be able to do all of that with me waiting for him. So....now we have to find somewhere else to go. DH is wanting to cut back a little cost-wise, too, since I will be a SAHM and I provide about 1/2 of the income now. Where would you go that would be pregnant-lady friendly?

[Wrighty26]

We didn't get to go on a full-flown babymoon, but we did spend a long weekend in St. Augustine (which is about 2.5 hours from us) when I was 32 weeks along. We spent a day at the beach, then 2 days walking around the historic district. It was really nice and 3 days away from everything was the perfect amount for me.

Jess - Congrats on your pregnancy! I agree with your hubby on cancelling the trip to Disney if you are big ride people. I pretty much avoided all amusement parks while I was pregnant because it would have been a waste of money as I like the rides too. I think something like a cruise is a great idea -- if we hadn't gone on before I got pregnant, I probably would have wanted to go on one. Honestly, at 4 months you can still do pretty much anything (with the exception of ride rides/rollercoasters and drink!) so the question is what do want to do? :D

[maggieb]

We took a trip to NYC when I was about 24 weeks along. It was great and I'm so glad we went. We walked a lot, but it wasn't too bad.

We also took a day trip to Annapolis when I was about 37 weeks pg and although it was fun, I was very tired from all of the walking.

[kristin9903]

DH and I went on a week long cruise when I was around 21-22 weeks, I think. It was great! You can do as little or as much as you want on a cruise. I snorkeled with sting rays, walked around Cozumel, and just relaxed.

I wouldn't go to Disney if you're really into rides. I *love* the rides at Disney and would be kind of sad if I couldn't hop on a roller coaster whenever I wanted!

[DallasLady]

We spent a weekend at a nearby lake. We rented a nice cabin and just relaxed. It was week 38, and DD was born week 39

[Ericka_Jarett]

Our last big trip was in March, 2006. DH was at Disney for a conference and I was going to spend a few days with him there. I was 1 1/2 months pregnant. We were going to go to the Big E in Mass end of Sept, as I was due early Oct, but plans changed and I ended up on bedrest the rest of my pregnancy as of 20 weeks. I delivered early Sept. We went to Vegas & Grand Canyon as our post baby trip, where we took DS with us, he was 3 months.

[ShelbyMay]

We did not take any kind of vacation at all, and I regret it. We were doing the responsible thing by saving up money for when DD arrived and we were taking time off from work, but in hindsight I wish we had at least taken a weekend trip. We are planning to take a modest vacation this summer, but it will be totally different with a one-year-old either in tow or on my mind the entire time if we leave her with my parents.

[cosmic]

In July, we took a quick babymoon to Virginia Beach. It was exactly what we needed.

[Jess71903]

Thanks for all of your replies, ladies! Keep them coming! We are just really starting from square 1 here...have no idea what we want to do. We do know no Disney, no Vegas, no Virgin Islands (went last summer and I would go back in a heartbeat, but DH says we need to go somewhere different.)

A cruise sounds good! Or a beach somewhere. We talked about going to Gulf Shores. I have been there a lot and I love it.

[ABCbride]

When I was about 4 months pg, we went to NYC for SIL's graduation and St Louis for a wedding (so not really a "babymoon")...but when I was 6 months pg, we drove up the coast to Pismo Beach, Monterey, and SF. It was sooo relaxing!! :D

[LRL]

Hmm. Reading this thread I truly cannot remember if we intentionally took a trip before the baby was born. If we did, it would have been down the coast to the Carmel area as is usual for us. I just asked DH and we remember "talking about it".

Do I miss not having done this? (I honestly can't remember if we did or not, we did go on a family cruise at 20 weeks, but that was with family, not just the two of us). I can't miss something that I don't remember happened or not. The short of it is that it truly has not mattered to us if we took a trip or not. It looks like everyone enjoyed their trips, and if you have the opportunity to go on a trip absolutely do it! If you can't go on a trip, don't fret, I haven't. :p ;)

[Kelly's Girl]

DH and I went out of town for a long weekend when I was not quite 34 weeks and ended up having DS while we were there! Fortunately, my brother and SIL lived there so we could stay with them while DS was in the NICU for 4 weeks. It was quite an adventure, to say the least! I would do it all over again, though, b/c I was thrilled with the hospital (which wasn't overwhelmed post-Katrina like at home) and I could focus on just DS, and not have to juggle guests in my house and going to the hospital.

If we take another pre-baby trip before #2 (when we get pg again) I might do it a little earlier in my pg! :)

[Jess71903]

LRL- I know what you mean. If we didn't go on a vacation every year and it was normal for us, then I am not sure I would *have* to go somewhere special because baby was coming. We already had a vacation planned, though, and I love to travel. I just want to go somewhere preggo friendly!

Kelly's girl- how crazy! I am glad it worked out for the best!

[cr8zyforaf]

Yes, we went to the beach in July (I was due Sept 4th) and was pretty miserable only because it was an older hotel and we could only get a Queen bed and I barely fit.

We also went to NYC in August for a long weekend in August and had a great time despite being swollen to 10 times my size.

I am glad we went...

[Amaye]

We took 2 trips and I'm so glad we did.

In April, when I was about 25weeks, we went to Puerto Rico with a couple friend. It was great!! We rented a house right by the beach and just swam and relaxed. I want to go back there again.

In May, we went to Montreal for a long weekend. Really nice - we met up with a lot of friends, ate and went dancing. I had a blast! I would definitely do this again - it was a 6hr drive but I was very comfy in the car.

[petdoc08]

We had a big cruise to Jamaica and Key West planned when I was ~20 weeks. Unfortunately, Hurricane Katrina hit and then some other hurricane hit flooding Key West. We ended up canceling our trip because I was panicking thinking another hurricane could hit while we were on the boat. In hind site, I shouldn't have been such a worry wort and lived it up!

We ended up going to Chicago (hometown) for a get away. It was a nice trip, but not the complete escape I was hoping for.

[cosmic]

I just want to go somewhere preggo friendly!


Very good point! I was worried about that too. Virginia Beach was very family oriented and I saw at least two other pregnant women on the beach while I was there so I felt very comfortable. Not sure I'd feel the same way about, say, Miami... lol.

[shaqangel]

we did a big trip to South Africa....its my home so it was more a big trip for dh as it was his first time but we traveled all over and didnt just stay in my city. i left when i was 15wks pregnant and rtned when i was 19wks. it was wonderful. i just made sure i drank a lot and ate periodically and i only got sick one time - was still having morning sickness and that was my last episode of throwing up.

we actually did the trip with the intention of breaking the news in person to my family since it was the first baby in 18yrs on my dad's side and the first grandkid, etc. it was awesome! we had a great time and for the next baby we will definitely do a trip :)

[Pink_Converse]

I started this thread and we never got around to taking one last trip and I do regret it. If you have the opportunity do it!

[RobynScott]

We're thinking about taking an 8 day cruise when I am 25 weeks. I skimmed the thread the other day but I don't remember if anyone took a cruise.

It would be to the Panama Canal, Costa Rica and Belize - just don't know how I feel about leaving the country and being on a ship ...

Also, as much as I love the idea of one last trip - I also feel like we could be saving that money for baby.

Sounds like everyone who has taken a trip is happy they did - Would you take a cruise when you are 25 weeks?

Other option is to maybe go away when I am closer to 30 weeks somewhere in the US (maybe Florida or California - I'd like to go visit a friend in Cali).

Thoughts?

[jesseybell]

RobynScott - Have you looked into the restrictions for the cruiseline you are interested in? We've only cruised on Royal Carribean. I think their restriction is that you can't enter your 27th week (or after) while on the cruise.I think you had to provide a letter from your doctor indicating what week you'd be in during the cruise and that you aren't high risk.
I think I would be a little nervous about going on a cruise while pg - they just aren't equipped to handle an emergency like that.

We went to FL when I was only 18 weeks to attend a wedding DH was in. I was about 30 weeks for our 1 year anniversary but didn't do much- everything we really wanted to do I didn't think I would be up for it. We returned to the town we got married in and got spa treatments (I had a special maternity one).

We are taking a cruise this spring as our last hurrah before ttc #2, because who knows the next time we'll be able to get away just the 2 of us - it's much easier to find a willing babysitter for 1 kid versus 2!

[RobynScott]

Thanks for the thoughts Jessey. It is 27 weeks - so we have to be off the ship by April 10. We're looking at one that leaves Mar. 24 - returning April 1. It's handling the medical emergency that has me worried as well - at least on land (in the US) - we can always find a hospital to drive to ...

[JennW]

I started this thread and we never got around to taking one last trip and I do regret it. If you have the opportunity do it!
Ditto! Take the trip!:)

[acceptablerisk]

we went to san francisco for six days in october 2005 [i was due in january 2006]. it was a combination anniversary/my birthday/one last getaway trip gift from my husband's parents. loved every minute of it. i had had some sciatica issues before we left, and we were worried i wouldn't be able to walk around and do touristy things, but the walking actually helped.

[Jess71903]

Just as an update, we have decided to go to Gulf Shores, AL. We used to go there a lot when I was a kid and I love the place. It's really layed back and family-friendly, so it will be a nice, relaxing vacation. We will be driving, so we will still have a $400 travel voucher with American Airlines. We may take a quick trip to St. Louis for a baseball game or something with that. Thanks for all the ideas ladies!