Is it Safe to Visit Jamaica when Pregnant?

Is it Safe to Visit Jamaica when Pregnant? || Answered by Kadian Clarke

Yes it is! But I recommend that you follow some basic safety precautions.

I have had the opportunity to see expecting mothers from all over the world flock our shores and safely return home in at the end of their vacation. So if it is your deepest desire to take a trip to the land of wood and water while pregnant, by all means, go ahead but...

Be guided by the following safety tips to protect you and your baby.

Travelling By Air

It is considered safe to travel on an airplane if you do not have any complications. So, it is ill-advised to travel if you are having problems, and even worst if you are pregnant with twins. So if you are experiencing any difficulties, it is best that you consult your doctor prior to travelling.

Food and Water Consumption

The tap water in Jamaica is considered safe to drink. You can read more about that here, but I personally, would strongly suggest that you consume bottled water, just to be on the safer side. If you are staying at a resort, be sure to ask for bottled water.

If you are staying with a friend, family or rental home, you can pick up a few at the local supermarket, or enough to last for the duration of your stay.

As for food, be sure to enjoy some of our healthy array of fruits and vegetables. Yes, you'll find lots of great local food options here. It is important not to consume undercooked meat though.

Avoid Too Much Sun

You may want to get that sun tanned glow before you head back home, but too much sun may be harmful for you and your baby. The effects of harsh UV rays is like that of folic acid deficiency in the baby. This is especially dangerous in the first trimester.

In addition, due to the increase in hormones in the body during pregnancy, the skin becomes hyper pigmented. Too much sun exposure can cause this hyper pigmentation to worsen. And while some person’s skin return to normal a few weeks after giving birth, others remain permanent.

Still, sunlight is not all bad as it is a source of vitamin D. However, if you have to lay out in the sun, let it only be for a very brief moment.

Also, apply enough high SPF sunscreen of 30 or above on your skin and apply as often as needed.
Be sure to wear a broad brimmed hat and cover up for further protection.

Stay Hydrated

Because Jamaica is a tropical country, you will find it allows for your body to lose more water which already occurs naturally during pregnancy. Ensure you drink lots of fluid to replenish what is lost and also enough to stay hydrated.

Illness

We don't have any (nor history) of any major outbreak of illnesses or diseases, but because of our climate, mosquito borne diseases occur occasionally. The dengue fever, transmitted by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, is one that comes to mind. It is transferred through the bite of female mosquitoes that have the virus. We hear of cases randomly but you can keep up with advisories from your travel department or your embassy or consulate in Jamaica.

If you are pregnant, I probably wouldn’t recommend that you visit until this is past, but if you desperately must be in Jamaica during these happenings, it is crucial that you protect yourself from mosquito bites since the dengue fever can cause serious complications, especially for your unborn child.

Ways in which you can protect yourself are:

• Use a mosquito repellant with DEET on both skin and clothing
  
• Keep windows and doors closed
  
• Sleep under a mosquito net
  
• If you experience symptoms of fever, headache, pain rash vomiting etc. get prompt medical help.
  
• In most cases though, mosquitos stay away from cold environments so be sure to keep your air conditioner on to keep them away.
  

And finally, rest assured that we have some of the best doctors anywhere here in Jamaica. And with the opening of several private hospitals or medical centers, there is, worst case, good medical service at your fingers, although primarily in the metropolitan areas of Montego Bay and Kingston.

I trust that this information was of great help.

As usual, I welcome your feedback in the comments section below.

Until next time…
KC


References:

https://www.tripsavvy.com/traveling-to-the-caribbean-while-pregnant-1487700
https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Travel-During-Pregnancy?IsMobileSet=false
https://www.livestrong.com/article/513981-is-it-safe-to-lay-out-in-the-sun-while-pregnant/
https://jis.gov.jm/information/get-the-facts/get-the-facts-dengue-fever/

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