My hubby and I went to Italy 2 years ago and loved it so much we are going back this Sept. This time, there will be an extra traveler--we will be 22/23 weeks pregnant, and we will be in France and Italy for 2 weeks. Any advice for pregnant ladies--foods to definately avoid, comfy shoes, just in case medical care, etc.? From what I have found online, the doctor's rules differ here in the US from in Europe, so at a restaurant, I want to be careful in case I try to tell them we are pregnant and that doesn't translate. Thank you!!
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
I would ask your OB, but there probably isn't any food you need to specifically avoid that's any different from the US. As you know, avoid alcohol. If you are worried about needing emergency medical care, your insurer should be able to add temporary coverage for Italy.
Posted by
Ardmore, PA, US
225 posts
The same rules apply there as do here so you'll already know them. My wife traveled to Paris last August when 6 months pregnant and we just returned from Paris a week ago with our now 6 month old daughter. Take your time, relax, stay cool, drink lots of water, and have a good time. The Parisian baby stores are over the top! You'll love them.
Posted by
Anaheim, CA, USA
1455 posts
Emily, i just came back from 10 days in Paris, traveling with my niece who's in her 2nd tri mester.
We brought along 2 cell phones in case we got separated, and also programmed her doctor and her dad's number.
We stayed in an apartment, and 1 of the days she stayed in to rest. The apartment came in handy because we were able to buy milk, bread, cheese, cucumber, yogurt, and such from the market.
Everywhere we looked we had to climb stairs and walk on cobblestones. She was a good sport about those.
I noticed she got tired easily, so we stopped every few hours at a cafe, which not only gave us time to rest, but gave us an opportunity to get a meal or snack.
She got nauseus when she smelled sea food. Paris has some restaurants that has iced seafood outside their store... like a fishrman's wharf. You may be immune to that smell, but just giving you heads up.
She couldn't really eat rare meat, and I noticed that the restaurnts tend to cook their steaks more rarer than the US. She also didn't have a big appetite, so we got her to order the appetizers rather than a full meal.
We brought along zip lock bags and in the morning, carried around bread for her to eat.
If the weather is still warm in Sept., consider bringing shoe that is wider. Her feet did swell.
She wore sneakers you could slide into.
There were pharmacies everywhere which eased our worries. Also we took advantage of the museums, Starbucks, and McDonalds for toilet stops.
PS: September is when Paris should be having their sales. They have them 2x's a year, June 25 and September. That would be great to get somethign for your baby!
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
"Also we took advantage of the museums, Starbucks, and McDonalds for toilet stops."
YES! A key point. This is probably one of the only good things about having McDonalds and Starbucks in Europe. They are one of the few institutions where you can walk in, buy nothing, and use the toilets with impunity.
Posted by
la frette sur seine
448 posts
Michelle gave good advice...now i know why she mentioned on a post awhile back that her neice didn't totally enjoy Paris...As i mentioned on the post you made for Italy...just follow the advice of your home doctor and check how to say "pregnant" in French and Italian..though at 22 weeks a few hand gestures will explain
Posted by
Anaheim, CA, USA
1455 posts
Regina,
To be pregnant would have been understandable for my niece not liking Paris. Unfortunately it wasn't her condition,but her outlook of life. For an 18 y.o. she is just too self absorbed to appreciate culture or how other people outside Los Angeles lives.
I am not regrettig taking her. I do regret her not appreciating other people.