Treat yourself Pregnancy holidays and baby showers

The second trimester is the time when most women start to relax and enjoy their pregnancy. Hopefully, by this stage, morning sickness and tiredness will be things of the past. Your bump will start to emerge and you may begin to feel your baby moving.

Getting away

This time is also a good opportunity to enjoy a holiday – or "babymoon" – as they're now being termed. Increasing numbers of hotels are advertising themselves as relaxing destinations for expectant parents. The NHS suggests the safest time to fly is after week 14 and before week 28, provided your pregnancy has been straightforward.

If you wish to fly after the 28th week, you will need a doctor's letter confirming that you are fit to fly. It is also important that you check with the airline before you fly to confirm their rules on flying whilst pregnant. Seek advice from your GP and check that you are covered by your travel insurance.

For example, at Boots, insurance cover doesn't extend beyond the 24th week of pregnancy. However, if you already have a child who may be accompanying you abroad, they will have free insurance under our family travel policy.

Packing your bags

If you are packing a bag for your trip abroad, Boots stocks a range of useful products for pregnant travellers to consider. NHS Choices notes that long distance travel (longer than five hours) carries a small risk for pregnant women of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) – or blood clots in the veins. For long-haul flights, you can buy a pair of flight socks, which will help reduce leg swelling.

Search under the Travel Health section of Boots.com for helpful products. The Scholl Flights Socks have earned five stars in our ratings and reviews section for being smooth, comfortable and "non-embarrassing".

Other useful products to take on your holiday include a high-protection sun-cream. Some mums report their skin is extra sensitive during pregnancy, so use a high sun protection factor (SPF) cream and stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day. Reapply your cream regularly and read the label.

Simple Sun Sensitive Protecting Suncare Lotion is especially formulated for sensitive skin. Or consider the Soltan Sensitive range, which is hypoallergenic and fragrance free.

And try to stick to comfortable, loose-fitting clothes. Have a look at the Mum-to-Be Skincare section of Boots.com for some luxury products to take on your Babymoon. It is important for you to drink lots of water when staying in a warmer climate. Try to drink fluid throughout the day: little and often is best for your system. This helps you to stay hydrated and maintain a healthy body for you and your baby.

Treat yourself

The second trimester is also a good time to throw a baby shower. Baby showers are an American tradition, increasingly being adopted by mums-to-be on this side of the Atlantic. Remember to hint to your guests (or your partner) that it's nice for the mum-to-be to receive gifts, as well as the baby!

"Everyone buys for the baby but it's important for mums to feel pampered too," says Sally-Ann Burgon, who oversees baby products on Boots.com. "We have some really good gifts for mum from some of our favourite brands so that people can treat pregnant mums or mums-to-be can even treat themselves!" Bestselling ranges include Natalia, Burts Bees, and Sanctuary.

Some expectant mums certainly seem to appreciate the gesture. Among the ratings and reviews for the Sanctuary Mum-to-Be Ultimate Retreat Hat Box was embk27 who gave the product five stars:

"I have been using the products in this lovely gift set for the last month. I'm currently 5 months pregnant and am finding it excellent for those moments when you're feeling a bit fed up! Using the products as a set almost gives you that beauty salon feeling. The shower oil is fantastic and gives you that all over smooth and silky feeling. Lashings of the body butter after that make you feel stretch mark invincible! They have a really lovely scent that lasts all day too. You can then relax with the eye mask - making the most of those quiet moments before baby gets here! A perfect pampering treat that is good value for money!"

Bestsellers

Boots' bestselling pampering treats for pregnancy include:

Natalia Pregnancy Relaxation Box
Natalia Beautiful Pregnant Body Box
Natalia Mum's Gorgeous Pampering Box
Sanctuary Mum to Be Ultimate Retreat Hat Box
Burts Bees Mama Bee Body Oil
Burts Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter
Cowshed Udderly Gorgeous Bath Salts
Cowshed Udderly Gorgeous Stretch Mark Balm
Neal's Yard Mother To Be Gift Box

Find out more at BootsWebMD:
Pregnancy relaxation strategies
Travelling for two: Advice for pregnant holiday makers

Related Categories:
Mum & Mum-to-be
Mother & Baby
Parenting Club