Cruising while pregnant?

[somuchjackson]

Hi all,

My wife and I recently bought flights for this November to go to Martinique for a weeklong cruise with friends on a very stable 45 foot catamaran. The complication is that we just found out we are pregnant (much celebrated news!).

She will be ~29-30 weeks pregnant at the time of the trip. We'll be cruising around for 1 weeks between Martinique and St Martin I believe. It's just at the start of the third trimester, when they start advising that you don't fly and things like that, but I'm sure people do.

Have any of you had experience doing a similar bareboat trip that far along in a pregnancy? Any advice, tips?

Would you categorically not do it? This is our first pregnancy and I'm not sure about the medical facilities in Martinique if we were to need anything but wanted to get this group's views on sailing at 30 weeks pregnant in general if anyone has experience.

Thanks!

[skipmac]

First, your main source of information should be your wife's OBGYN. Any advice you get on the internet, ESPECIALLY medical advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.

That being said, a few observations.

Airlines might have restrictions on carrying pregnant passengers. They are not anxious to risk a passenger go into labor in transit. My daughter at 35-36 weeks had to fly due to a family emergency and she carried medical records showing her due date and health status to show the airline.

For just in case make sure your insurance will cover emergency medical evacuation. If it doesn't be prepared for a giant out of pocket cost or add coverage. DAN offers this and I believe no longer restricts coverage to diving accidents.

Obviously if your wife has any problems, complications or issues prior to the trip then think very seriously about canceling.

[Kenomac]

Dumb idea. I'm a registered nurse. If your OBGYN says it's OK, then ask them if they're willing to drop everything and fly out at their own expense if your wife doesn't feel well?

During my daughter's pregnancy, she was in and out of the hospital at about that time for Blood pressure issues.

If you're asking, shouldn't that in itself be an indicator?

'Nuff said.

Skipmac's advice is also very good.

[Maineiac_sailor]

The Zika virus is something to consider as well. Make sure to be very cautious and protect yourself from insects when you are shoreside.

Zika Virus in Saint Martin - Alert - Level 2, Practice Enhanced Precautions - Travel Health Notices | Travelers' Health | CDC

[zeehag]

mary queen of scots rode horseback while she was heavy with child.
but that doesnot mean everyone is ok to do that.
what your obgyn says is what you should do, merely because if something happens while you are travelling you have no recourse nor access to your own md.
doesnt mean anything will happen, but, you are covered when ye listen to the md.

[barnakiel]

I have just posted updated ZIKA Martinique info in our Zika thread. Consult a doctor on how this might affect your cruising plans.

Remember microcephaly is linked not just to one virus but to many other severe virus infections. These regions have Zika now, also Dengue and Chikungunya are considerations.

If your wife feels fine on boats there should be no problem cruising, maybe just look at alternative regions that do not have the a/m complications.

Cheers,
b.

[roverhi]

We sailed from Tahiti to Hawaii when my wife was 6 months plus along with our first son. Pregnancy had been uneventful with no issues prior to departure. No problems on voyage except her changing center of gravity made it a bit of a challenge for her to move around once we got into the tradewinds north of the ITC.

Zika is scary and would not consider going anywhere near a zone where it was a threat if pregnant.

[JPA Cate]

Somuchjackson,

Check out the Zika posts, with your OB-GYN, also with a specialist in tropical medicine.

Nowhere is completely free of diseases, but you should really consider whether to take the risks involved, especially if this pregnancy is a long awaited event.

Honestly, talk it over with your wife, and see what she says, because even dengue at that stage could be a serious event.

My true opinion is that you should sell those tickets that you have, and plan a differently located holiday, if you want to have a last holiday as a couple. What you're proposing is a vacation, not a continuation of a cruise, and that makes a difference. One grows into foreign country cruising, following - usually - coastal cruising in one's country of origin or wherever one lives one's adult life.

I know women have been having babies for thousands of years, with no medical intervention, but the unlucky ones died in their first pregnancies, too. Get your good lady to check it out with the doc, and maybe you take time off and go with her.

Another source of info is the IAMAT, International Association of Medical Assistance for Travelers. Make a donation and receive up to date literature.

Ann

Edit: When I was in my child bearing years, I surely would not have gone to a malarial or typhoid area, so am somewhat conservative.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, somuchjackson.
Congratulations!

A common equation used to model risk is:
Risk = FREQUENCY (probability) x SEVERITY (consequence)

Even if your OBGyn assigns a low probability of problems, the potential consequences might be catastrophic. I thunk Kenomac (& others) has it right.

[somuchjackson]

Thanks all.

GordMay, I think you give a good synthesis with that way of thinking about it. I've been anchoring myself on the probability side of things (odds of any issues being low) but think you're right that in this instance potential consequences are too severe.

As much as we wanted to do this trip it sounds like we might need to back out. The fact that there are two separate and significant risks (zika and regular later term pregnancy risk) means we probably need to change plans.

Appreciate all the input!

[zeehag]

Originally Posted by somuchjackson

Thanks all.

GordMay, I think you give a good synthesis with that way of thinking about it. I've been anchoring myself on the probability side of things (odds of any issues being low) but think you're right that in this instance potential consequences are too severe.

As much as we wanted to do this trip it sounds like we might need to back out. The fact that there are two separate and significant risks (zika and regular later term pregnancy risk) means we probably need to change plans.

Appreciate all the input!

why not charter a sloop out of san diego and sail to catalina? less risk of tropical issues and still can sail... sun road marina has a rental company, or used to.. we did that with family once a long time ago.. rented a 32 oday --i think they use catalinas now, but i am not certain-- there are these options in many areas. perhaps locate near you so no flying, and still nearby hospitals in case of need..

[JPA Cate]

Originally Posted by zeehag

why not charter a sloop out of san diego and sail to catalina? less risk of tropical issues and still can sail... sun road marina has a rental company, or used to.. we did that with family once a long time ago.. rented a 32 oday --i think they use catalinas now, but i am not certain-- there are these options in many areas. perhaps locate near you so no flying, and still nearby hospitals in case of need..

Zee, nice, helpful suggestion.

They should be able to figure out a pleasant holiday, at a lower risk level.

Ann