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Babymoon: the new honeymoon

You are pregnant, glowing and enjoying being pampered. The bulge is getting bigger as you eagerly await D-day. Presenting a few good reasons to dodge the routine and take off on a babymoon before the sleepless nights set in

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An increasing number of couples are taking off on what's been affectionately called a babymoon, just before the baby arrives. It's a honeymoon, but different. You could even consider it your second honeymoon.

Celebrating threesomes
Earlier this year, print and online news channels in India and abroad were chock-a-block with news of Prince William and Kate Middleton, who were celebrating the impending arrival of their first child with a babymoon to the island of Mustique.The good news is that you don’t need to have the bank balance of the rich and famous to enjoy a babymoon. US-based Indian couple, Shubhi Anand and Amit Sharma babymooned in their second trimester (July 2012). Since Shubhi was not comfortable boarding a plane, they chose to go on a week-long trip along the East Coast. “It was great to get away from the routine and soak in the joy of being pregnant. We had been waiting for this ‘good news’ for a very long time and a babymoon was the perfect way to celebrate the expected addition to our family,” says Shubhi.

While the concept of a babymoon has been in vogue in the West for a while now, it is only recently that India has caught on to this trend. As expected, the hospitality and leisure industry is cashing in. ESPA Spa, The Leela Palace Udaipur offers pre- and post-natal treatment—a nurturing body treatment carefully designed to relax the body and tone the skin of pregnant and nursing mothers, during this special time. Avani Patel and Manjari Varma, founders of Broken Compass, which specializes in tailor-made travel packages have a few words of advice. They tell us that minimum road travel, leisure days, a thoughtfully chosen property, a doctor on call (if possible), destinations that are not secluded yet not overly touristy, moderate sightseeing and  low-intensity activities are the usual requirements of expectant couples. “Beach destinations are a big hit because, usually, they don't involve much activity. Nature lovers like the hills, as well; as long as the property is good and not secluded,” they add.
 
One last fling

A peaceful mind is important for the health of the baby. Taking a trip during the second trimester is considered safe. It is the best time for couples to re-ignite their passion and prepare themselves for a life-changing experience. Dr Padma Iyer, a leading gynaecologist from Mumbai says, “It is important for couples to spend quality time together. With lifestyle changes and high stress levels, it's a good idea to spend some exclusive time together before the baby arrives.”

 Some parents-to-be leave no stone unturned to relax, rejuvenate and reconnect before they get busy with diaper changes and sleepless nights. Sachin Shah and, his wife, Megha escaped to an all-inclusive resort in Cancun, Mexico for their babymoon in 2011, when Megha was six months pregnant. “I got a pre-natal massage from a 7-star spa. We also got a maternity photo shoot by a professional photographer,” says Megha excitedly.

If long-distance travel does not appeal to you, choose a place closer to home, say Prakash and Smita D’Cunha, who babymooned in Mahabaleshwar, in December 2011. “We were not too comfortable with travelling far as this was our first child. Babymooning in a new country or a remote place involves the risk of picking up food allergies. We wanted to be careful,” shares Smita, who was happy to go on long nature walks and soak in the divinity of pregnancy amidst the mountains.

Pregnancies are inevitably filled with the drama of back pain, sleepless nights, swollen feet... Of course, you deserve to treat yourself, whilst you still can. Whether you choose a tropical getaway or a nature trail, savour every moment and celebrate while the cupcake is busy baking. This just may be your last fling before baby makes three.

(Pic 2: Sachin and Megha Shah)

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