8 Things You Need to Consider Before Booking Your Babymoon

When you’re expecting, there’s no shortage of things you need to do. You have to stock up on diapers and other infant supplies, buy baby gear, and set up the nursery, not to mention get to all of your prenatal appointments and make a birth plan. But after all that has been taken care of, there’s one more thing every pregnant couple should do: Go on a babymoon. A babymoon is a fun getaway with your partner some months prior to giving birth to spend quality time together, with the knowledge that your life as a couple is about to get a lot more hectic. But before you book it, read on for everything you need to know prior to making your plans.

1. Stay within your budget. Parenthood frequently comes with the reality of a stricter budget. Babies cost money in the form of diapers, baby wipes, clothing, toys, gear, food, and more. Unless you’re rolling in it, you’re going to want to consider a lower-cost babymoon destination. National parks often have plenty of beautiful, natural locales to explore with affordable lodgings nearby. A resort might be budget-friendly as well, since meals are often included and activities are frequently found on site.

2. Pick the right time. For the most part, the first trimester is not a great time for a babymoon. Many moms-to-be experience nausea, exhaustion, and other unpleasant side effects in those first few months. The third trimester is also often fairly tiring, not to mention there’s a greater chance of going into labor. While it will differ from person to person, the second trimester is usually the best time to plan your babymoon.

3. Don’t travel too far. If you live on the East Coast, you might not want to travel all the way to Kuala Lumpur for your babymoon. While distant destinations can be especially appealing for those going on a honeymoon, a babymoon is different. You’ll want to remain a little closer to home in the event of any emergency, and make sure that wherever you go you’ll have solid cell phone service and maybe even WiFi… just in case.

4. Choose a relaxing destination. Party spots should generally be avoided. Do you really want to hit up Mardi Gras when you’re six months pregnant, or find yourself in the middle of spring break in Cancun? You may also want skip bar-hopping in Baja, especially since you’re not drinking. Look for quiet places, low-key atmospheres, and preferably some pampering opportunities nearby.

5. Check to see if there are any travel advisories or health warnings. Unfortunately, not every place makes for a great and safe destination at all times. Some countries are currently experiencing extreme political unrest, while other locations are still high risk for Zika, which is known to be problematic for pregnant women. For your babymoon, avoid any place where you could be at risk for potential danger, and save those destinations for future travel.

6. Make sure you’ll be close to a hospital. Anything can happen when you’re pregnant. Even if your pregnancy has been uneventful thus far, women can experience preeclampsia, preterm labor, and other issues at any point in their pregnancy. That’s why you should stay within a short drive of a hospital or at the very least a clinic or doctor’s office. The hope is that you won’t need it, but the reality is that it’s good to have it there just in case.

7. Research public restroom availability. This may seem like a silly thing to think about, but in some areas it can be difficult to find public restrooms. While this might not be the easiest thing to research, a little Googling could help uncover helpful information. You could also ask friends who are local to the areas you’re considering visiting. Obviously, if you’re going to spend your days lounging at a resort this won’t be a problem, but if you’re planning on spending time walking around a town or city, you’ll be happy you looked into this in advance after you’ve downed a 30-ounce bottle of water and really need to pee.

8. Clear travel with your healthcare provider. Before you pack your bags (or even book your flights), run your travel plans by your OB/GYN or midwife. If your pregnancy is high risk, they might have some additional tips for how you can enjoy your babymoon while staying safe. If it’s not, they might still have some suggestions (even if it’s just to drink more water and use sunscreen).

What other considerations did you take into account when planning your babymoon? Tweet them to us @BritandCo!

(Photo via Getty)