HOLIDAYS WITH THE BELLY IN THE MOUTH

A little guide to the summer holidays when you're expecting a baby

If your pregnancy is going smoothly and your gynecologist has no objections, there's no reason not to enjoy your holidays – even with a belly in your mouth!

But before you pack your bags, keep in mind that this summer finds you in a special situation and you may have to adjust your habits and choices accordingly.

My ideal destination

Greece or abroad? Island or mainland? Near or far? Everything is relative, is the answer!

Pregnancy is not a disease, but each case is unique and that is how you should treat it, discussing your options and decisions with your gynecologist.

Generally the second trimester is the best for holidays – the first "sensitive" pregnancy weeks have passed and you haven't yet put on weight like you will in the last few months.

• If you choose a destination in Europe, where you will be hosted or stay in a hotel, there is no problem, as long as you put a little brake on your...exploratory mood and make sure you rest as much as you need. Traveling to countries in Africa and Asia is not recommended for this period of your life since you cannot get the vaccinations necessary to visit certain areas and in addition you should be very careful with food, water and sanitary conditions.
• If you have two or three weeks of vacation, you can choose your destination without worrying about the distance. However, if your holidays are more limited, it would be better not to "waste" two days with the route. It is also important to choose a destination that is relatively close (at most two hours away) to a major hospital so that you can turn to it if you need medical help.
• If you choose to spend your holidays on an island, prefer a larger one that has the necessary infrastructure - and in terms of health - to feel safe. Avoid traveling by speedboats or small boats - which usually connect small islands with their larger neighbors - as strong vibrations are best avoided during pregnancy.

Plane, ship or car?

Modern means of transport are now of such technology that there is no reason not to use them while you are pregnant.

• If you are in the last weeks of your pregnancy you may not be allowed to travel by air and it is a good idea to check the policy of the airline that serves you before you decide. In case you travel by plane, inform that you are pregnant so that they can serve you by giving you a seat that will ensure you more space and comfort. During the trip it is good to get up and take a few steps every half an hour or on the spot exercises by bending and moving the ankles in a circle and spreading your legs as much as possible or wear special socks.
• If you travel by ship and the route exceeds 3-4 hours, prefer to book a cabin so that you can lie down when you feel the need for some rest. However, avoid the trip in case of heavy seas.
• If the route does not exceed 300 – 400 km, traveling by car is quite convenient as you can make stops to get numb, have a snack, drink a coffee. Remember that the seat belt is absolutely necessary during pregnancy too, just fasten it low on your lower abdomen. If it is very hot, avoid traveling during the hot hours of the day. It is preferable to start very early in the morning so that you can reach your destination by noon.
• If the train serves your destination, it is a good option. You can even transport your car to go on holiday trips and avoid spending hours confined to its limited space. On the train instead you will be able to relax with your book, walk whenever you feel like it or even lie down if you book a berth.

The ideal accommodation option

• The hotel or an equipped rental room with air conditioning and a kitchenette (so you can prepare something light to nibble, fruit, your breakfast) is the ideal choice, as it ensures all the comforts and rest you need to enjoy the holidays your.
• Before you accept an invitation to host, make sure you have your own bedroom. It is very important to be able to rest and lie down whenever you feel the need, as now that you are pregnant the exhaustion we all feel from the sun and heat increases.
• If you have never done it before now is the best chance to live the all inclusive holiday experience! Book a room in a large hotel complex, on a nice (and windless if possible) beach and enjoy a truly relaxing holiday! Besides, no one forces you to spend the whole day at the hotel – whenever you have the mood and courage, you will take your walks in the nearby village or town and see the surrounding area.
• If you can, consider avoiding the peak tourist season and travel after the week of the 15th of August, where you will surely find better prices and better service after the big wave of tours is over.

Alone or with friends?

• If you're feeling really tired and want to relax and unwind, it might be better to go on vacation with your partner so you can manage your time however you want and don't feel "obliged" to stick to a shared schedule.
• On the other hand, if you have good friends and want to spend your holidays together, you will not be misunderstood if you make it clear from the beginning that everyone will follow their own schedule and you will meet whenever everyone's wishes can coincide! That way you will have both the pie whole and the dog full!!!
• A friendly couple with a baby or small child is probably the ideal companionship for this summer. You will certainly have a lot to discuss and learn in practice from your girlfriend who has already become a mother, while your schedule will converge in many places (e.g. you will not want to stay up late, you will go early in the morning and the afternoon at sea, you will eat early lunch and dinner).
• If you already have a child, a holiday with a couple who also has children and where your children have a good time together is your ideal choice. As you will have already noticed, you and your child have a better time when you are all in good company... why not the same for the holidays!

Tip: If you're worried about the cost - you won't be the only one this summer! - maybe it's worth taking a day or two out of your vacation to enjoy yourself as you dream of the rest!

Take care... to have an even better time!

• Take it easy! Avoid climbing an archaeological site at 12 noon and forget about donkey rides, speedboats and other water toys – the same goes for water slides! Be patient, in three or four years you will have every reason to enjoy them again – together with your child!
• Take special care of your hygiene. Wash your hands before you eat and carry antiseptic wipes to clean your hands now and then.
• Avoid swimming in a pool that you are not sure of its cleanliness. The sea is the best choice as long as the waters are not too icy and there are no waves. Remember that leisurely swimming is a very good form of exercise for the duration of pregnancy and contact with the water will help you feel more relaxed and light in your body.
• Always wear a dry bathing suit after swimming and bathe with soap and water as many times a day as needed.
• Avoid exposure to the sun during the hot hours of the day, from 12 to 4, and prefer beaches with natural shade. It is also good to avoid sunbathing as the sun can create dark patches on your skin - especially on the face - as now that you are pregnant the amount of melanin in your body is increased.
• Tight and dark clothes will make you even hotter. Prefer natural fabrics (cotton, linen, linen) that allow the skin to breathe and always wear a hat and sun cream on the face and exposed parts of the body.
• Drink plenty of water – the heat and sun can make you sweat (even more) profusely. To be on the safe side, stick to bottled water and avoid ice cubes in your drinks (they're usually made from tap water which the locals are totally familiar with, but you're not.
• Do not delay visiting the toilet. Pregnancy and the many liquids you will probably consume are two very good reasons to get to know all the... toilets on the island! However, if you "retain" the risk of a urinary tract infection increases, something we don't want to get at all during this period! For greater safety and comfort, carry plastic (prefer them to paper) covers for the toilet bowl - you will find them in all pharmacies.
• In the tavern, you order well-cooked meat of the hour and avoid shellfish and crustaceans. For salads, prefer the country salad or salad with boiled vegetables or greens, as with green salads there is always the risk that they have not been washed very thoroughly.

When is it not advisable to travel away from home?

In the first 12-13 weeks of pregnancy and after the 8th month it is usually a good idea not to travel far, even if everything is going well.

In this case, and with the consent of your doctor, prefer to spend your vacation somewhere that you will be at a maximum distance of two hours from the maternity hospital where you will give birth.

Travel and travel in general are also avoided if there are complications in the pregnancy or threatened premature birth.

Tip: If your doctor advised you not to travel, enjoy your vacation in the city! Forget about housework, enjoy sleep and rest in your comfortable bed and go out in the evenings with your partner. Discover beautiful corners of the city, go to the cinema, to eat or even to swim - if allowed - at one of the nearby beaches.