A third trimester vacation is a fun way to relax, connect with a spouse or partner, and make some memories before baby makes three, but is often forgotten in the business of pregnancy life. The last 12 weeks of pregnancy is a special, albeit busy time. New parents begin nesting – finishing projects, cleaning the home, and getting organized for the little one. Visits to a care provider become more frequent – usually once per week. And at some point parents-to-be quickly realize that that their baby is coming… and soon!
A Babymoon?
One way pregnant women and their partners can celebrate pregnancy and prepare for parenting is to take a babymoon, or one last third trimester vacation before baby comes. This may seem like an extravagance to some, but a getaway can be feasible on any budget – especially if you think outside the box and can be a little bit flexible.
Memorable Third Trimester Vacation Ideas & Tips
You may think that it will be too exhausting to travel, or maybe you’re concerned about traveling while pregnant. It’s already hard to stay comfortable! Have a chat with your midwife or obstetrician and barring special circumstances you will probably be cleared to travel until 36-37 weeks gestation. Once you get the green light, consider the following ideas to have a fun and inexpensive babymoon.
Travel Out of Town
Say YES to Out-of-Town Weddings
Have a cousin getting married? Go! College roommate tying the knot? Go! Enjoy looking pretty for the big day, but also exploring the city/venue of the wedding for your third trimester vacation. That’s what I did!
in 2009 I traveled by car from Tallahassee, Florida to New Orleans, Louisiana for a family wedding. I was determined to make the seven-hour trip for many reasons, but at 34 weeks pregnant I knew this would be one of the last times I could travel solo. Money was tight and we shared a hotel room with a family member. That might sound a bit odd, but since we spent most of our time out of your room, it wasn’t an inconvenience.
It was hot and humid in NOLA and I was very pregnant, so we decided to do activities that wouldn’t cause me much discomfort. We went to the aquarium (air conditioned) and to the IMAX theater (air conditioning AND a place to sit). We did a little bit of sightseeing, especially if food was involved. Also, we tried to eat what New Orleans does best – dirty beans and rice, seafood, and jambalaya. (Make sure to pack some antacids!)
Say Yes to Family Vacations
Similarly, consider joining a family vacation or reunion as an excuse for a travel destination. Your family will love it, and you’ll have an opportunity to get away. Try staying in an adjacent town or at a different hotel if you think you’d need to have some healthy space. 😉
Go Somewhere to Relax
Consider traveling somewhere that that is relaxing and all activities are centered around pampering. Find a:
- Hotel room to take naps and watch movies
- Pool to enjoy floating
- Spa that treats pregnant people – hello pregnancy massage!
- Mani, pedis, and maybe even a facial
- Restaurant that has amazing food (and desserts!)
Travel Tips for the Third Trimester
Traveling when pregnant is different than normal travel. Consider these tips before you go!
- Plan travel for the beginning of the third trimester, around 29/30 weeks.
- Get cleared by your care provider.
- Before booking airfare or a cruise, confirm they will let you travel at X number of weeks.
- Stop and take breaks to go to the bathroom and walk around at least once per hour.
- Consider compression stockings to help with circulation and swelling.
- If the weather is warm, consider wearing dresses. Dresses are so easy and will help keep you cool.
- Stay hydrated! Make sure to travel with your favorite water bottle filled with H2O.
- Travel with your favorite healthy snacks.
- If possible, BYO pillows.
- Take daily naps.
- Limit high sodium meals – they’ll make you swell. No fun!
- Call ahead to book a prenatal massage. Not all massage therapists are trained in them.
- Listen to your body. Take breaks, sit down, and rest when you need it.
Night Out on the Town
Once baby comes, it takes a considerable amount of effort to go out with friends at night. (Baby may need you because of breastfeeding, you may be too tired, babysitters are expensive, and it’s usually not worth it to wake a sleeping baby to take them with.) The following are some ways to spend a night out on the town for a third trimester vacation.
Go to the Movies
Before your baby arrives make the time to see a movie with your partner or friend. Make sure you don’t see a violent or scary movie because when pregnant you are emotionally vulnerable and you won’t walk away from the movie feeling very good. A romantic comedy or a drama will be good picks. Enjoy the movie and remember to write down what you saw. Years from now you can tell your child what movie was playing!
Try A Nightclub – I Dare You!
If you’re feeling adventurous, consider going to a nightclub or a place to go dancing! Believe me, you won’t be seeing the inside of those places in a long time! If you do go out, make sure you take a long nap ahead of time so you can have the stamina to enjoy your night out. Have fun!
Staycation Instead?
If traveling during the third trimester is unappealing, consider a “staycation”. A staycation is the closest thing to getting away from normal life without leaving home. Take off of work, go out to eat or eat take-out in, hire someone to clean your home, etc. Wondering what to do? Here is a great list of 40 at-home activities for pregnancy!
Make Memories
Whatever you choose, make sure you do something to commemorate the impending change your family is going through. Make it fun and be sure to take pictures. Children love to hear stories and see the fun things you did “when I was in mommy’s tummy”.
Here’s what I did during my second pregnancy for our “babymoon”.
More Third Trimester Ideas
Looking for more third trimester information? Check out Mother Rising’s third trimester checklist or a few books to read in the third trimester to get started!