Babymoon? Sure you’ve heard of honeymoon, but what the heck is a babymoon?

Babymoon -Where You Go to Celebrate, Relax, Prepare for the Arrival of your Baby Bump

One of the best things my daughter did while pregnant was to steal away with her  husband for a babymoon, as did I when pregnant with her. A babymoon gives expectant parents a last kid-less hurrah before the wild rumpus begins and they must become responsible.  It allows both parents time to relax and spend quality time together before their bundle of joy is born. This travel trend can provide a solid foundation for the changes that are about to happen in both parents’ lives.

Another option is to be pampered and spoiled by the grandparents-to-be or good friends.

Would a babymoon be something you and your spouse could use before the pitter patter of tiny feet fill your lives?

If so, these travel pointers will help you to make the most of your great escape.

Planning a Babymoon

1. Timing is everything

The best time for your getaway is in your second trimester. According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, not only will you have left the morning sickness behind and regained your energy, you may very well have rediscovered your libido!

Also you won’t have that “I’m a whale” feeling accompanied with swelling and the return of exhaustion many moms-to-be have in their third trimester. Planning your babymoon in the second trimester will make it much easier to enjoy your escape.

2. Picking the perfect place to renew, relax, rejuvenate

What sort of accommodations would be best for you and your spouse? You can find a multitude of experiences for a range of  pricing While it may seem obvious, make sure you select a place that will allow you to relax and get ready for your birth. While the temptation may be to enjoy the sights, you’ll only end up more wiped out than when you began.

Hotels

There are of course the usual hotel, or bed and breakfast babymoons. Some hotels offer prenatal packages that include massages, sunbathing (poolside or on the beach), and gourmet cuisine (no alcohol or raw seafood, of course). Frequently, top-tier resorts offer additional perks such as a baby-bump photography session for moms or a congratulatory cigar for dads.

Casino

Or you may wish one last wild night at a casino like Las Vegas where the hungry mom can dive into the all-you-can-eat buffets. And with luck you might even win college tuition for your little one!

Best of All: Vacation Rental

Sometimes all you need is a different set of walls.  In that case, consider escaping to a quiet home-away-from home, a vacation rental such as Abalone Bay  located on the oceanfront in The Sea Ranch. Vacation rentals also are a great way to save on travel expenses, something that may be very important with the new addition to your growing family

Often owners  will be happy to make your stay a cozy, comfortable one. Before you book your stay, of course you’ll want to visit the reviews for any comments made by previous moms-to-be. Next, check with the owner to see what amenities they may have on hand. Is a belly or body pillow available? Do they offer any other pregnant mom, expecting dad, and baby related amenities? If not perhaps the owner would consider adding it.

Wherever you decide, make sure it is a place that both you and your spouse can relax in and enjoy each other’s company.

Check for Accessibility

No matter where you book, double check for it’s accessibility. For instance, our daughter, while seven months pregnant with twins, and her husband spent a cozy weekend in a historic, quaint hotel with lovely ocean views. But unfortunately they did not think to check if an elevator was available to take her up to the third floor! Does the business offer special parking for pregnant women? Are there safety bars for the showers and bathtubs to assure both your safety and that of your unborn child?

3. Stick fairly close to home

You’ll want to minimize the travel time from home. And while an exotic trip to a far-away place would be wonderful any other time, flying 19 hours with a 4 hour lay plus the stress of customs is sure to add to your blood pressure, not relieve it. Bear in mind that your feet will swell, increasing the risk of DVT, or deep vein thrombosis. Trying to navigate a plane’s alley way to reach the tiny airplane toilet with your belly bump in the way is not the best manner to start your babymoon.

You also want to avoid any location where you can’t drink the water at and requires vaccines. And unless you  know all your preggo terms in a foreign language it’s best to stay in a country that speaks your language.

4. Check travel restrictions

If you’re flying, check not only with your doctor but also the airline to be certain you can board. Most physicians will allow flying up to 36 weeks, but airlines may have added restrictions for domestic or international travel. Cruise lines also restrict pregnant passengers. Royal Caribbean won’t allow you to travel after your 27th week.  Celebrity Cruise Lines regulations allow only moms-to-be who are less than 26 weeks, with Princess Cruises setting their limit at 24 weeks. When you do cruise make certain there is a doctor on board and facilities for any emergency for you and your baby.

5. Keep your seat belt low when driving

When driving, always wear the seatbelt with the shoulder portion over the collarbone and the lap portion under the abdomen as low as possible on the hips. You’ll save yourself and your belly from hitting the dashboard in the event of a car accident. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also recommends moving your seat as far back as possible (and tilting it back slightly) to maximize the distance between you and the dashboard or steering wheel. Make sure you take frequent breaks to get the blood recirculating. It may also be helpful to plot out your potty stops.

6. Managing Food and Cravings on your Babymoon

Most likely you are thinking of food all the time for good or for bad. When it comes to eating while on your babymoon, it is wise to plan well ahead.  By now you’ve discovered the foods and smells that are no-nos for you.

If you do go exploring a foreign location it’s a good idea to find out how to say the items your baby bump is making you crave in the local language before you go. You’ll also want to know how to say those foods that send your stomach on an internal  roller coaster ride so you can steer clear of them.

When staying at a vacation rental you have more control of what you eat as you pack it in yourself. You may wish to ask the rental owner or property manager for a recommendation of a personal chef or restaurant. That way the pregnant cook can have a holiday too.

7. Plan for what you CAN do

List those things you CAN do comfortably. Walking is great, there needs to be plenty of opportunities to rest and rehydrate. Be aware of hot tubs and saunas. The last thing you want to do is boil your baby. There are spas that do cater to moms-to-be. They may even offer babymoon packages.

8. Be aware of the changes in your body

Think about how your body has changed and the changes it will be facing soon.  You will tire more quickly, your feet may ache and well. Your skin may also react with greater sensitivity to sunlight now.  So finishing off your tan may not be the best idea for your babymoon.

9. Keep your OB in the loop

Traveling while pregnant comes with its on set of hurdles. This is especially true, if you, like our, daughter are carrying multiples. Wherever and however you go, make certain you speak with your doctor before booking a trip. Take along a copy of your medical records. Check with him or her first about what you may or may not do on your trip. Don’t be too disappointed if your doc wishes to keep you close to home.

10. Know where to find a doctor in case of emergency

Ask your doctor for recommendations of fellow OB’s in the area of your vacation. If he or she does not have any, do your own research to locate the nearest medical facility of quality. Look at the OB doctors on staff and recommendations made by their patients. Keep a contacts list of phone numbers of your own OB,  hospital and other important people.  Add to that list emergency  numbers and resources in the area you are staying.

And when all else fails… plan a STAYcation

Can’t make the arrangements for an exotic getaway, or get the doctor’s ok to get out of Dodge? Then plan for your babymoon at home! You’ll find it just as luscious a treat at a great price.

-Schedule the days you want to take off then block them off to be dedicated to just you

– Treat yourself to your favorite relaxation strategies

– Place flowers throughout your house

-Indulge in new, hotel-quality sheets

– Wrap yourself in a fluffy robe and cozy slippers

-Have at hand your favorite decadent treats

-Set up an at-home spa kit, including masks, scrubs, lotions, and candles

-Ask your favorite manicurist or hairstylist to come to your home

-Rent several of your favorite movies, or catch up on all the series you’ve been meaning to watch on Netflex

-Unplug your phone and your computer, turn off your blackberry, iPhone, and NO E-MAILS

-SLEEP (that’s free!)