Money Matters

Re: Africa and pregnancy?

maple2 — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 20:04:44 GMT

I don't know any of your history, and the right choice for you will ultimately depend on that. I went to Kenya for several weeks during my 2nd tri, and I did not have any problems. I spent the majority of time near Niarobi, where I knew I would have access to good medical care if I needed it. I also went on a 2 week safari that did bring us to some pretty remote places, but I didn't have any reason to expect any pregnancy complications so it was a risk I was willing to take.

I brought malaria medication with me (It is true that none of them are approved for use by pregnant women because, really, where would they get enough willing volunteers to conduct the study? They are not necessarily unsafe just untested), but at the time I went and at the elevations we were primarily at, I didn't have exposure to mosquitos so I never took it. You may want to look more specifically into the conditions in Uganda specifically for the time and place you would be to see if malaria would be a threat. Just because it is listed as a threat to visitors to Uganda does not mean that is true in all places at all times. A good travel doctor should be able to help you to assess this.

Re: Africa and pregnancy?

Litasail — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:25:32 GMT

If you do go, I would make sure that you have a service like this to ensure you'll have quality medical care while there.

Re: Africa and pregnancy?

dr.girlfriend — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 13:57:36 GMT

Sorry if I'm misremembering, but haven't you had multiple losses, including some later ones? For the average Jane asking, I would say follow doctor's advice and go for it, but you don't seem to be the average Jane. If something happened here, at least you know you've done all you can. If something happens over there, you might always regret the decision, thinking it might have worked out differently.

Re: Africa and pregnancy?

jenny1980 — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 02:32:25 GMT

Congrats! I am so happy for you!

There would be no way I would consider going to Uganda pregnant. In the best of all cases, you may still be feeling crummy (I vomited regularly through about 20 weeks, which is not entirely uncommon) and/or really tired, which could in and of itself make it a pretty miserable trip. And that doesn't get into the disease potential/antimalarials/safety issues/etc.

Re: Africa and pregnancy?

Emiliana7 — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 02:22:26 GMT

Knitty:
amoosed:

I think if you are careful about what you eat and drink it shouldn't be a problem.

I'm confused why going to Africa would be bad for a pregnant woman?

Antimalarials, possible yellow fever vax, increased susceptibility to stomach issues to name a few. Travel Canada says there's polio there, and Hep A.

CDC says you need antimalarials for the whole country,

Uganda

Yellow Fever

Requirements: Required if traveling from a country with risk of YFV transmission and ≥1 year of age.^a

Recommendations:
Recommended for all travelers ≥9 months of age.

Malaria

Areas with malaria: All

Estimated relative risk of malaria for US travelers: High

Drug resistance^c: Chloroquine

Malaria species: P. falciparum >85%, remainder P. malariae, P. ovale, and P. vivax .

Recommended chemoprophylaxis: Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine.

Based on this I would not go. One of my childhood friend's wife lost a child recently because of having been on anti-malaria meds for a mission trip and came back, then got pg but it was too soon from time of the meds.

Re: Africa and pregnancy?

notquiteblushing — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 02:18:37 GMT

Congrats! And I don't know what I'd do but good luck to you. Sticky vibes!

Also if you decide not to go don't feel bad. It's just money. You can always get more.

Re: Africa and pregnancy?

Knitty — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 01:37:55 GMT

amoosed:
Futuremrsnielsen:
I'm staying in a hotel and doing volunteer work in an orphanage.

No kony hunting.
Just take your regular precautions then. Don't drink any questionable water and don't eat anything that might make you sick. Make sure to bring OTC meds for nausea and upset stomach.

And an IV kit in case you're admitted. That way you're sure the needles are new.

Medical facilities are extremely limited outside Kampala. Serious illness or emergencies may require evacuation by air ambulance at the patient's expense. Travellers should ensure they have a sufficient supply of prescription medicine and medical supplies.

The Public Health Agency of Canada reminds travellers that travel to tropical and sub-tropical climates and to developing countries poses a risk for food-borne and water-borne gastrointestinal disease. Travellers should take precautions regarding the quality of the food and water consumed and use good personal hygiene practices at all times.

As the level of HIV/AIDS infection in Uganda is high, you should be cautious about activities involving the transmission of bodily fluids.

Re: Africa and pregnancy?

Knitty — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 01:36:54 GMT

amoosed:
I think if you are careful about what you eat and drink it shouldn't be a problem.
I'm confused why going to Africa would be bad for a pregnant woman?

Antimalarials, possible yellow fever vax, increased susceptibility to stomach issues to name a few. Travel Canada says there's polio there, and Hep A.

CDC says you need antimalarials for the whole country,

Uganda

Yellow Fever

Requirements: Required if traveling from a country with risk of YFV transmission and ≥1 year of age.^a

Recommendations:
Recommended for all travelers ≥9 months of age.

Malaria

Areas with malaria: All

Estimated relative risk of malaria for US travelers: High

Drug resistance^c: Chloroquine

Malaria species: P. falciparum >85%, remainder P. malariae, P. ovale, and P. vivax .

Recommended chemoprophylaxis: Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine.

Re: Africa and pregnancy?

frlcb — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 01:09:56 GMT

Do you have to be on anti-malaria pills? If yes then I would not go, and I am very pro-international travel when pregnant. There are no anti-malaria meds that have been proven safe for pregnant women (and most recommend you wait weeks after you finish taking them before you even TTC). I would definitely talk to your dr asap.

Re: Africa and pregnancy?

BarefootContess — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 01:04:04 GMT

What are you doing in Uganda? My friend has literally dodged bullets there.

Re: Africa and pregnancy?

hannamarin — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 00:48:31 GMT

Oh yeah....congrats! H and H 9 mths.

Re: Africa and pregnancy?

marshmallowevening — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 00:38:29 GMT

Congratulations! I would be paranoid, too, but I would also want to go on the trip. Like everyone said, the main thing would probably be to just avoid any questionable food or water. I'd also see what vaccines are recommended because you may not be able to have some while pregnant. If it turns out you couldn't go, maybe they could transfer the trip to someone else?

Re: Africa and pregnancy?

JOEBunny — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 00:37:00 GMT

I would not go. That is just me. I have a friend who recently was working in Haiti and stayed until 36 weeks. She is 42, so AMA, but that was her only risk factor. It worked out well for her, but I thought she was nuts, given the healthcare options there and the illnesses that frequently pop up there, but not here. Clearly, she was comfortable. I would educate yourself about both the available health care where you will be and about the illnesses you are likely to encounter and their effect on fetal development, then make my decision based on my willingness to accept the risk and benefits of going. My own experience with my pregnancies, which where not perfect for different reason, and seeing the outcome in day to day life of my now older children probably color my feelings, though even here, with good healthcare, they didn't have the power to change the outcome, so maybe that fear is misplaced.

Re: Africa and pregnancy?

Futuremrsnielsen — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 00:26:36 GMT

ijack:
With your history I don't think it's the best idea, but I would talk to your doctor.
Congratulations!

I had talked to him about travel with my last pregnancy. He said it was fine. ( I went to Thailand). The pregnancy ended before I left. I think his advice will be the same this time around. But we shall see what he says tomorrow

Re: Africa and pregnancy?

Ms.Starry — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 00:26:02 GMT

First off, congratulations (I think you had been TTC for a while).

Second, this is a complicated situation in my opinion. I love travel and would love to be all like "I'm sure it's completely fine!" But honestly it sounds like there are a lot of variables here you need to review. Most importantly to me would be the ease of getting medical care should something arise and the availability of safe food and drink.

Sorry for being a DD, but I also am still sick at this point and I would only be volunteering at an orphanage if my life depended on it (the smells alone would probably have me vomiting all day).

I probably would not go. The State Department tends to be alarmist but based on their information about medical services I just wouldn't feel comfortable.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1051.html

I wish you the best in your decision.