Babymoon Basics: A Couples-Only Vacation Before Your Baby Arrives

Babymoons are becoming popular among parents-to-be. They offer the couple a chance to take one last romantic and relaxing vacation before their bundle of joy arrives. Babymoons often include such indulgences as specialized spa treatments for the expectant mother and father, special dining options like cookies and milk at bedtime and unlimited pickles and ice cream, and a gift basket of goodies for the little one.

Babymoon Basics

Babymoons take the idea of an all-inclusive vacation a step forward by including a pregnancy-friendly environment. In place of alcoholic drinks, the babymoon packages have smoothies and ginger ale. Considering the unique needs of pregnant women, hotel resorts offer such perks as foot massages to take some of the stress off mom-to-be's feet, and couples massages that help the couple savor their remaining days before baby arrives.

Babymoon Offerings

Besides offering the expecting couple a romantic vacation, babymoons offer world-class spa services, prenatal yoga classes, personal training for the dad-to-be, childbirth classes and five-star cuisine that is sure to satisfy any craving.

Hot Babymoon Spots

Hotels and resorts all over the world are jumping on the babymoon bandwagon. While resorts in the Caribbean still remain the most popular choices for vacationing soon-to-be parents, other locations for a fun-filled babymoon include Canada, the U.K. and most of the states in the U.S.

Helpful Babymoon Tips

Follow your doctor's orders regarding traveling while pregnant. According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, it is generally safest (and most comfortable) for pregnant women to travel between their 18-24th week. Also keep in mind that airlines and cruise lines impose their own restrictions for allowing pregnant women onboard, so be sure to find out what their policies are.

Depending on your pregnancy, you may want to use caution when planning your babymoon destination. For comfort reasons, you may not be able to sit in an airplane seat for 4 hours. A cruise or short-distance trip might be a better option.

Ensure that wherever you decide to go, that there is a reputable medical facility nearby in case you need to seek the assistance of a doctor. Checking with your insurance provider ahead of time is also a good idea so you can find out what areas they do and don't cover. For instance, many insurance companies do not cover a patient outside of their home country. If this is the case, you may want to look into purchasing a travel medical insurance plan.

Remember to check with your doctor about any special immunizations or vaccines that you may need, as these can vary depending on the region that you are traveling to.

With the proper preparation and medical clearance, a babymoon can be a great way for an expecting couple to celebrate prior to the birth of their child.