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Pre-baby
Getaways to Pamper Expectant Parents
by Lisa Petrocelli
There
is no shortage of items on the to-do lists
of parents-to-be. Along with decorating
the nursery and stocking up on diapers,
expectant parents need to remember to
take time out to enjoy this very special
time in their lives.
For many expecting couples, taking a babymoon
vacation has moved to the top of the pre-baby
to-do list. These "last hurrah"
trips for parents-to-be provide the perfect
setting to relax and reconnect as a couple
before entering parenthood. Realizing
that luxury vacations without diapers
and bibs may be out of reach for a while,
expecting couples are flocking to babymoon
retreats before the stork arrives. According
to a recent travel industry survey, 59
percent of new parents have taken a babymoon,
with more than two million babymoons taken
each year by parents-to-be in the United
States.
The term "babymoon" was coined
by British author and childbirth educator
Sheila Kitzinger. Originally, it was defined
as the period of time after a baby's birth
that the family spends alone together,
facilitating bonding between parents and
child. However, in recent years, the meaning
of the word has grown to include the pre-baby
jaunts and vacations taken by expecting
parents. Babymoons give parents time to
reconnect and nurture their relationships
as a couple before embarking on parenthood.
A child's birth can be a challenging time
for new parents, and making this investment
in your relationship will help get you
through these new challenges together.
Relaxing and reconnecting are definitely
what babymooner Jennifer Elitzin had in
mind when she booked her recent pre-baby
vacation at a South Carolina beach resort.
"My husband and I wanted to soak
up as much together time before things
were certain to get hectic and crazy for
us," she said.
For Elitzin, the most memorable part of
the babymoon was taking evening strolls
on the beach with her husband. "The
quiet times together were very special
- helping us to bond and reflect on our
baby and our exciting role as parents,"
Elitzin said. The travel industry has
jumped on the babymoon bandwagon by offering
vacation packages that cater to parents-to-be.
With creative names like "Bundle
of Joy," "Honeywomb" and
"Great Expectations," hoteliers
are injecting plenty of fun for couples
facing parenthood. Many of these getaway
packages feature spa treatments including
pregnancy and couples massages, special
gifts, gourmet meals and sweet indulgences
such as cookies and milk at bedtime to
satisfy those late night cravings.
At the Glorietta Bay Inn in Coronado,
Calif., babymooning couples are given
gift basket filled with chocolates, a
jar of pickles, and a Moo-time ice cream
gift certificate. According to Holly Ansley,
Inn general manager, the popularity of
the babymoon packages has soared over
the past year.
"When we first started to offer this
package, mothers-to-be would come six
to eight weeks before their due dates.
Now the trend is for expectant mothers
to come between the third and sixth month
so they can enjoy all aspects of the babymoon
package," Ansley said.
The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort
in South Carolina was one of the first
U.S. hotels to create a babymoon package.
Natalie Payne, director of travel industry
sales for the Sanctuary, claims that a
growing number of fathers-to-be are booking
babymoons to surprise their pregnant partners.
"Babymoons have been happening for
many years without a name, but now that
there is a name, even more couples are
saying, 'that's a great idea,'" Payne
said.
Couples seeking one last romantic vacation
can find babymoon packages anywhere from
five-star resorts, to charming bed and
breakfast inns, to local hotels.
The website
www.Babymoonguide.com provides
information on more than 100 babymoon
packages to help parents-to-be wade through
the ever-expanding sea of babymoon vacation
offers. Babymoon vacations are typically
two to four nights long, but there are
no hard and fast rules. If you prefer
a week-long getaway, then go for it. Likewise,
even an overnight babymoon at a wonderful
inn or spa can be rejuvenating. Don't
let time constraints keep you from taking
your pre-baby getaway.
When
planning your babymoon vacation, consider
the following tips.
Try
to minimize travel time. Remember, the
goal of your babymoon is rest and relaxation.
Enduring a six-hour layover or a 12-hour
car ride on the way to your destination
is not a relaxing start to your trip.
Consider your
timing. According to the American
College of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
the safest time for a pregnant woman to
travel is between 18-24 weeks. Most women
find the second trimester to be the most
comfortable time for travel.
Lose the itinerary.
Resist the urge to schedule nonstop activities
or tours. The focus should be on taking
care of yourself and your relationship
more so than any heavy-duty sightseeing.
Go with a pro.
If your babymoon escape includes a prenatal
massage, verify that a certified prenatal
massage therapist will perform the any
treatments you recieve.
Consult your
doctor. Ask your doctor if
there are any medical concerns you need
to consider, and verify that it is OK
for you to travel.
Be prepared.
When packing your bags, include the contact
information for the nearest medical center
along with the phone number of your obstetrician
or family doctor.
The key to a wonderful babymoon getaway
is to choose a destination that appeals
to both of you and your partner, and allows
you to relax and enjoy your time together.
This may be your last chance to get away
as a couple, so seize the opportunity
to pamper each other before those late-night
feedings and diapering begin.
Author Bio
Lisa Petrocelli is the founder of www.Babymoonguide.com.
She believes that the relaxation aspect
of the babymoon should begin during the
planning stage. She created Babymoonguide.com
so that expecting couples can easily explore
all their babymoon vacation options in
one easy-to-search place. |
