Prince William and Kate Middleton did it. So did Kanye West and Kim Kardashian and action star Channing Tatum and wife Jenna Dewan-Tatum.

Yes, babymoons are becoming de rigeur for expectant parents; that carefree last holiday as a couple before reality hits with dirty diapers and sleepless nights.

As Ashley King, founder of resource website babymoonfinder.com, puts it: “Our generation wants to truly be pampered before the Pampers.”

OUR KIND OF HOLIDAY

Perhaps more than just being pampered, the babymoon, just like a honeymoon, is a time for some romance while bonding over favourite activities in a relaxing environment. Whether it’s a beach holiday or a cultural immersion in an ancient city, a babymoon is really about what you, as a couple, enjoy.

For instance, E Entertainment host Giuliana Rancic explored the Colorado outdoors with her husband last year, even tweeting: “Great hike on Vail Mountain, amazing couples massage ... Now, this is how to spend a babymoon!!! #heaven.”

Others prefer to take it easy, like what copywriter Tay Weiling did in Phuket. “We were just there to swim, chill and pig out without leaving our villa much. It was paradise, really without any hassle of going from place to place and coping with noise and traffic,” she said.

Of course, you could also be as adventurous as Mumtaz Marican, owner of Knead To Eat, an artisanal sandwich and coffee cafe in Changi Business Park. She ventured all the way to South America and climbed the hills of Machu Picchu while in her very first trimester.

“My husband and I had already planned the trip before we discovered I was pregnant. We decided to keep it a secret between us and go ahead,” she recalled. “On hindsight, it was rather silly of us — we travelled to New York, Bahamas, Peru and Bolivia in three weeks, took 13 flights in all and when we returned, all our family members and friends yelled at us for being crazy and reckless. But because it was our first child, we kinda didn’t know better.”

The couple covered their entire itinerary (including sampling a local Peruvian delicacies) but Marican said they did take precautions, such as opting out of going underground into a silver mine in Potosi, Bolivia and avoiding the higher mountains in Macchu Picchu.

“We paid a bit more to stay at the base of Macchu Picchu so it’s more convenient and generally used our common sense like drinking bottled water, stocking up on provisions and making sure I wasn’t over exerting myself by not doing too much climbing. The pace was mangeable.”

PLANNING AHEAD

When it comes to a babymoon, there are obviously some guidelines and tips.

Most maternity books recommend travelling during the second trimester (18 to 24 weeks) when the discomforts of the first trimester are over and there’s little danger of premature labour.

Gynaecologist and obstetrician, Dr Christopher Ng of GynaeMD Women’s & Rejuvenation Clinic, said: “You can travel during your first and third trimester as long as you do not have any pain, bleeding or contractions. Most airlines will allow you to fly up to 35 weeks into your pregnancy.”

Expectant mothers should also do prior research on accessing the nearest medical facilities just in case — so remote destinations are probably not a good idea.

And when taking a flight, book an aisle seat for more legroom and easier movement to the washrooms; be sure too to check on the menu onboard (no soft cheeses), pack a few healthy snacks and keep yourself hydrated during the journey.

No doubt, hotels and resorts are cashing in on this trend. For an over-the-top splurge, you’d be hard pressed to find anything that trumps, well, Trump Royal Heir Package at the Trump International hotel. For US$6,000 (S$8,267), you’ll enjoy a two-night stay in an executive one-bedroom city-view, a massage each for the couple, breakfast, twice-daily selection of special teas, smoothies and mocktails, prenatal pillows, three US$1,000 gift cards for Neiman Marcus, FAO Schwarz and Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry.

For mere mortals with budget concerns, there are nearby spots, local staycations and spa options to consider. Hangsar Samui’s Babymoon package includes three nights in a beachfront XL room, airport transfers, daily breakfast, a romantic dinner for two, spa massages for two and and LUXSA Spa Baby Gift Set starting from US1,350 (S$1,671). Over in Singapore, Capella’s Auriga Spa is currently having Baby Moon Experience consisting of a prenatal massage, organic rose facial and hair and scalp treatment for mothers-to-be while fathers get a massage and gentleman’s facial before rounding it off with afternoon tea at The Knolls for S$688++ per couple.

So expectant parents, why not spoil yourself a little before spoiling your coming brood. Who knows when you will be able to live it up footloose and fancy free once your bundle of joy arrives?