What to Consider When Planning Your Babymoon
From timing to air travel and destinations, expectant moms have a lot to think about when planning their pre-baby getaway.
Whoa, baby! Expectant parents take note ... babymoons are a great way to relax and enjoy time alone or with your partner before welcoming your bundle(s) of joy.
Places to Go, Things to Do
Picking where to go and what to do is always a fun part of the planning process. A babymoon is all about resting and taking care of yourself. What better place for a relaxing getaway than the beach? The choices for tropical destinations are endless. And many resorts and hotels offer special packages and options for babymooners.
Atlantis Paradise Island, a resort in the Bahamas, is well-known for offering ample dining and recreational options right at your doorstep. This includes The Cove – a 9,000 square-foot pool exclusive to adult guests. The resort’s on-site spa features great options for expectant parents like the Couples Retreat Ritual or Elemis Nurturing Massage for the Mother-to-Be.
No Passport, No Problem
Kiawah is a remote island on the Atlantic coast, about 20 miles from Charleston, South Carolina. Known for its laid-back atmosphere, it is an ideal destination for a relaxing babymoon and offers hotels, inns and rental options.
Mild weather, beautiful scenery and inviting babymoon packages make destinations up and down the Pacific Coast shoreline popular for expectant parents. Couples massages, specialty pregnancy massages, low-key excursions and even gift baskets filled with books, gift certificates to local eateries and pickles (which might seal the deal for moms experiencing food cravings) are just a taste of what these California destinations have to offer. BabyMoonGuide.com provides a nice roundup of California babymoon packages for the parents-to-be.
Still on the fence about where to go? Consider a destination that is meaningful to you and your partner, but don’t let timing and travel logistics limit your fun.
Timing is Everything
Let’s face it. Traveling while sick is one of the last things anyone wants to worry about when getting ready to go on vacation. According to the American Pregnancy Association more than 50 percent of expectant moms begin to experience morning sickness, usually around the sixth week of pregnancy. It typically starts to decrease by the end of the first trimester. Of course, everyone is different, and some women don’t experience it at all!
When adding your babymoon to the calendar, the second trimester or early stages of the third trimester are often ideal. Even during this ideal travel period, try to limit your total travel time, and take frequent breaks to walk around or do some stretches to increase blood circulation.
Come Fly Away
Planning to fly? No problem. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says that occasional air travel is completely safe for pregnant women before the 36-week mark.
Different airlines have different rules in place, so checking your preferred airline’s policy for flying while pregnant is always a safe bet before booking your flight. It also doesn’t hurt to talk with your doctor first.
Travel Essentials
Regardless of where you are going or how you are getting there, you’ll want to stock your suitcase with a few essentials, like a pillow, comfy shoes and compression socks, which keep the blood flowing when sitting for long stretches of time. Don’t leave behind your prenatal vitamins. And, if you have any books on your must-read list – even if it’s just a book of baby names – carve out some quiet time for reading.
Relax and Have Fun
Preparing to become a parent can be stressful process but planning your babymoon doesn’t have to be. Remember, regardless the destination, your trip is about reconnecting and making yourself and your partner a priority.
Did you hop on the trend and take a babymoon? Share your insight with us and other Fast Park fans on our Facebook page. And don’t forget to book your babymoon airport parking accommodations, especially if that final adults-only trip is taking place during peak travel season.