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MORE AND MORE COUPLES ARE TAKING THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE ONE LAST ROMANTIC FLING AS A TWOSOME BEFORE SETTLING DOWN TO START A FAMILY

By Eimear O'Hagan

“As we stood in the middle of Times Square neither of us could believe that after all our planning and saving, we were finally on our trip of a lifetime,” says Catherine, a PR consultant from Oxford.

Just two months after tying the knot, Catherine and Tom, both 28, had quit their jobs, sold their cars, and embarked on a four-month round-the-world trip, starting in New York.

“I had to keep reminding myself that for the next four months, our life together was going to be one big adventure, seeing new sights and experiencing new cultures.

"We knew we wouldn’t have the chance to do all that once we started a family.”

The couple are just one of a growing number who take a ‘babymoon’, the term used to describe a romantic adventure before parenthood.

A report by travel agent Thomas Cook revealed that this is a major new trend among British holidaymakers, eager for one last trip as a twosome.

It’s easy to see the attraction, particularly with couples choosing to ‘schedule’ children into their regimented life plans.

The rising number of couples having kids later in life also means they are more likely to have the disposable income available to spend on these trips.

Catherine and Tom, a police officer, met on holiday in Cyprus in 2003, got engaged in February 2006, and then decided that instead of a normal honeymoon they would plan a round-the-world trip visiting all the places they’d always wanted to see.

“We wanted to start a family soon after getting married so we saw this as one last adventure before settling down,” says Catherine.

“We also knew that once children came along we might not be able to afford to do something quite so ambitious.”

After months of saving, working overtime and even selling their cars, Catherine and Tom quit their jobs in September 2007 – two months after getting married – and jetted off.

They travelled across America from New York to LA, then toured Fiji, Australia and New Zealand in a camper van.

“Waking up together every morning in our little van, cooking our breakfast, then heading off for another exciting day was just magical,” says Catherine.

After a relaxing week in Bali, Catherine and Tom joined an organised tour through Malaysia and Thailand – where their trip became even more memorable.

“We were in Malaysia when I realised my period was late,” says Catherine.

“Initially I put it down to my body clock being confused with all the travelling.

" I had thought it would take me up to six months to conceive, so I couldn’t believe it when my period didn’t come.”

A home pregnancy test in their hotel bathroom confirmed that Catherine was indeed pregnant.

“We were so surprised we cried.

"Celebrating New Year’s Eve a few days later in Bangkok, our last stop, was even more special,” she says.

Catherine and Tom are now back in the UK and their baby is due in August.

She believes that travelling together has strengthened her relationship with Tom and fully recommends the experience.

“If we can spend four months living in each other’s pockets and come home more in love than ever before, then I know we’re meant to be together,” says Catherine.

Psychologist Linda Blair agrees and says it can also help couples to strengthen their relationship before becoming parents.

“Travelling together allows couples to get to know each other even better than they thought they already did,” she says.

“By taking a babymoon, they are prioritising their relationship.

" What they must remember is to prioritise it when they get home as well.”

Now Catherine and Tom are looking forward to their biggest adventure yet – parenthood.

“I can’t wait to tell our baby about the amazing trip mummy and daddy took before they were born,” says Catherine.

 

Are you a babymooner? Did you do anything unusual before having a baby? Would you be wiling to give up your job and commitments to go travelling?

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Photography: Giles Park; Hair and Make-Up: Candy Yeldham at Minx