Is the 'babymoon' safe?

Of the many trends invented by the travel industry to pry dollars from our wallets – hello, staycation! – one of the most popular in recent years has been the "babymoon".

Unlike a honeymoon, which, of course, happens just after the wedding, a babymoon occurs shortly before what's usually the next big event.

The theory is that a little person is about to thwart such previously known luxuries as sleep and travel, so why not treat the mum-to-be to a little getaway while a little getaway can still be had?

I thought little of the concept until an obstetrician recently told me that he dissuades travel during pregnancy, especially to less-developed countries.

That doctor admitted that research doesn't support his opinion but said most forms of travel just aren't worth the risk associated with being away from your doctor or being exposed to unfamiliar germs.

He said something about the fetus being too precious to expose to such risk.

It got me wondering: does a babymoon really present risk? The answer is mostly no – but be smart about it, and do your research.

Travel does not present much risk to a typical pregnancy but it's wise to travel during the second trimester (most common pregnancy emergencies usually happen in the first and third trimesters) and to tread carefully when heading to less developed countries.

The risk facing a woman in the middle of a healthy pregnancy isn't much different than the risk for someone who isn't pregnant, most experts say.

There are risks, however. Pregnancy increases a woman's risk of thrombosis – blood clots, which can travel to the heart or lungs. Long flights inherently mean lots of sitting, which makes blood clots one of the bigger dangers of pregnant travel.

To minimise the risk don't sit too long: get an aisle seat and get up often to stretch the legs. Staying hydrated – always important on a long flight – also takes on extra importance.

The weightiest issue when deciding on travel during pregnancy is the destination.

More developed places naturally will have more developed healthcare. Places with higher incidences of infectious disease that can harm a fetus – malaria, for example – might be worth skipping.

As with all travel, preparation is key. Does your resort have a house doctor? Where is the closest hospital?

It's also wise to carry a copy of prenatal records, such as due date and current medication.

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au