Holidays during pregnancy: the Neilson guide

Most mums-to-be don’t feel their best during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, with symptoms like morning sickness and fatigue often at their peak. There’s no reason you can’t travel during this time, but if you can, plan to leave your holiday until later on in your pregnancy. Chances are you’ll feel much more able to enjoy yourself in a few weeks.

If you do holiday during the first trimester, make it all about R&R. A chilled out Neilson Beachclub holiday where you can take naps in the sunshine, enjoy gentle swims in the pool and unwind in the spa with a prenatal massage is ideal.

Our Alana Beachclub in Croatia has a gorgeous wellbeing area, perfect for treating yourself to some pregnancy pampering. While medical advice states you should avoid the hot tubs and steam rooms, you’ll still love the peaceful pool with waterfall, hydromassage whirlpool and indulgent treatment menu. The climate here is a little cooler than you’ll find in the more southern beachclub locations and the newly refurbished rooms are fresh and contemporary – so even if all you feel like is reading your book in bed, you'll be nice and comfortable.

Top tips:

• Stay hydrated and eat little and often to combat nausea.
• Try a gentle walk along the beach, the fresh air and gorgeous sea views will help take your mind off any lingering morning sickness.
• If you’re already a parent, take full advantage of the fun Neilson kids’ clubs. Our qualified childcare staff will keep your little ones happy and active, giving you the chance to have a much-needed rest.

For most women, the second trimester is the ideal time for a holiday during pregnancy. The unwelcome symptoms of early pregnancy should subside, your energy levels return, and your bump is small enough to allow you to move around fairly comfortably. Make the most of this ‘blooming’ phase with a fun break (or ‘babymoon’) where you can spend some quality time with your favourite people.

Exercising during pregnancy is a great way to keep your body strong and your mind calm in the face of all the upcoming changes, and there are plenty of activities you can still take part in. Sure, you might not want to go rock climbing but how does tennis, kayaking, sailing or stand-up paddle boarding sound? Or maybe a Pilates or circuits class? Our instructors will be happy to adjust any exercises to suit you.

If you’re a winter sports fan, skiing is generally considered safe up to around 20 weeks, as long as you sit the more risky runs out. However, some women prefer to avoid any sport with a risk of falling. It’s totally up to you. If you don’t want to miss a year in the mountains, why not choose a ski resort with plenty of off-slope activities and facilities like Alpe d'Huezor Zell am See? That way you’ll still be able to enjoy a great snow holiday even if you don’t fancy hitting the slopes.

Top tips:

• Listen to your body. You might feel full of beans or you might want to do next-to-nothing, go with it. We want you to relax as hard as you like.
• Check your travel insurance offers adequate cover in case you need any pregnancy-related medical treatment.
• Move around as much as possible on your flight to minimise the risk of blood clots. You could even grab a pair of those lovely support socks.

If your pregnancy is uncomplicated, you can still book a holiday during the early weeks of the third trimester. But once you hit 36 weeks, most airlines won’t let you fly so don’t leave it too late.

With a growing bump and more-than-likely a few pregnancy aches and pains, holidays during your third trimester are all about staying as cool, calm and comfortable as possible. Enjoy the freedom of being in the water, take a gentle fitness class like aqua-fit or yoga, or simply put your feet up and revel in the beauty of being beside the sea.

Top tips:

• After week 28 of pregnancy, airlines often require a letter from your doctor or midwife that confirms your due date and lack of pregnancy complications. It’s also worth doing some research on nearby medical facilities and bringing along your medical records when you travel.
• Keep exercise low-impact. The ligaments in your joints loosen in preparation for labour, making injuries more likely. Gentle yoga, swimming and walking are all good choices.
• You need around 300 extra calories per day during the third trimester, so what better excuse to get stuck into the delicious fresh food on offer every day? Hello breakfast buffet…