Escaping an Ohio Winter: Solo Traveling to Marco Island at 22 Weeks Pregnant
- kelsey
- 2 days ago
- 9 min read
Spending my second trimester in Florida was one of the best decisions I made throughout this pregnancy…
There comes a point every Ohio winter when the gray skies start to feel endless. Normally, I can push through it. I make my tea, light a candle, throw on a cozy sweater, snuggle in with my dogs, and remind myself that spring will eventually come. However, this year felt different.
At 22 weeks pregnant, carrying our miracle baby after ten years of wondering if motherhood would ever be part of my story, I could feel the weight of winter settling in much deeper than usual. The days felt darker and the cold felt heavier. I found myself missing sunshine in a way that was almost impossible to explain. (Not to mention the huge snowstorm predicted that ended up dumping 4+ feet of snow on my poor husband who had to stay behind and work). After an incredibly difficult first trimester, I had finally started to feel like myself again.
The nausea had lifted. The constant exhaustion had eased. My blood sugars were becoming more predictable. I was no longer spending every day simply trying to survive.
For the first time since becoming pregnant, I felt alive. And I knew exactly where I wanted to be…At my Island home. So I booked a last-minute flight back to Marco Island, Florida.
Some people think of Marco Island as a vacation destination. For me, it is so much more than that. It is where I have spent years building memories. It is where I feel grounded. It is where the sound of the waves instantly quiets my mind.
I didn’t realize just how badly I needed that until the moment I stepped off the plane and felt the warm Florida air.
It was as though my entire nervous system finally exhaled. The sunshine, the palm trees, the ocean breeze, the familiar roads I know by heart. Everything felt like a deep breath after holding it for far too long.
Mental health during pregnancy is something I do not think we talk about nearly enough. There is so much focus on physical symptoms, appointments, ultrasounds, registries, and preparing for a baby that emotional well-being often gets pushed to the side. Yet pregnancy changes every part of your life, including your mental and emotional health.
Seasonal depression is very real, and I wasn’t about to let it ruin the blissful place pregnancy had finally brought me to. Regulating my emotions and maintaining a positive happy mindset was more important than ever. Everything I was feeling, he was feeling too. I needed warmth. I needed sunshine. I needed the ocean. Most importantly, I needed a chance to reconnect with myself before entering the third trimester.
Looking back now, taking this trip was one of the best decisions I made during my pregnancy, and the days that followed were exactly what I needed. There was no strict itinerary. No pressure to check things off a list. For the first time in months, I simply allowed myself to slow down.
Most mornings began with long walks through Mackle Park. One of my favorite things about Marco Island has always been how easy it is to be outside. Even something as simple as walking the extensive sidewalks and bike paths, watching the birds gather near the water, or seeing families enjoying the dog park brought me a sense of peace I had been missing.
On other days, I found myself making the familiar trek from our house to Tigertail Beach. Pregnancy had certainly slowed me down, and by the end of my stay, bending down to collect shells was becoming more challenging than I cared to admit. Still, there is something so therapeutic about walking along the shoreline, listening to the waves, and searching for treasures in the sand. Some habits never change.
I spent countless hours at Residents’ Beach as well, one of my favorite places on the island. Sitting near the Gulf with a good book, listening to the water, (not to mention the frequent trips to the snack bar for virgin drinks, delicious food, and frequent restroom visits) all while feeling the warmth of the Florida sunshine, was exactly the reset my mind and body needed after a long Ohio winter.
The simple routines became some of my favorite memories. Slow mornings by the pool. Afternoons spent reading in the sun.Evening walks along the beach. Watching the sky transform into shades of pink and purple as the sun disappeared over the water. For the first time in a long time, I felt completely present.
Of course, no trip to Marco Island would be complete without enjoying some of my favorite local restaurants. My baby and I were definitely eating well! One of the things I love most about the island is that despite its relatively small size, the dining scene is exceptional. Throughout the months, I revisited several longtime favorites, enjoyed fresh seafood-free dishes that fit my dietary restrictions, and spent time soaking in the relaxed atmosphere that makes Marco Island feel so special. If you are planning your own visit, I shared many of my favorite spots in my local restaurant guide, you can read it here.
One of the highlights of my stay was spending mornings at the Marco Island Farmers Market gathering ingredients for the nights I felt like making dinner. There is something so charming about wandering through rows of local vendors, fresh produce, flowers, baked goods, and handmade products. It has become one of my favorite island traditions over the years, and this trip was no exception.
I also took the weekly ride up to Naples to attend Shul at Chabad. During a season of life that has felt both incredibly joyful and occasionally overwhelming, being able to spend time in prayer, worship, and community was especially meaningful. My faith has carried me through so many chapters of my life, from my Type One Diabetes diagnosis to infertility, pregnancy, and now preparing to become a mother. Being able to connect with that part of myself, and stay connected to my community, while I was away felt like another gift.
Perhaps one of the most special parts of the trip was planning and preparing for my gender reveal photoshoot. By this point in my pregnancy, I was finally beginning to feel better physically, and I wanted to celebrate this season in a way that felt authentic. The beaches of Marco Island provided the perfect backdrop. Soft morning light, gentle waves, and the peaceful simplicity of the shoreline created a setting that felt effortless and meaningful all at once.
Looking back now, those photographs capture so much more than a gender reveal. They capture gratitude. They capture healing. They capture the overwhelming joy of finally preparing to meet the little boy we prayed so long for. You can read more about my gender reveal photoshoot here.
As much as this trip gave me practical rest, it also gave me something I didn’t realize I desperately needed: the opportunity to slow down long enough to truly appreciate this pregnancy. Between doctor appointments, blood sugar management, high-risk monitoring, and everyday responsibilities, it is easy to become so focused on getting through pregnancy that you forget to simply experience it.
Marco Island reminded me to do exactly that.
Travel Tips While Pregnant
Of course, traveling while visibly pregnant comes with its own set of challenges.
Before this trip, my OBGYN shared something I had never really considered before…
She explained that airline personnel often pay attention to pregnant passengers from the moment they arrive at the gate. They may observe how comfortable you appear, how much luggage you are carrying, and whether they have concerns about your ability to travel safely.
Because of that conversation, she strongly encouraged me to travel with a signed note stating exactly how far along I was and confirming that I was medically cleared to fly.
Even though no one asked to see it, having that documentation gave me peace of mind.
If you are considering traveling during pregnancy, I highly recommend talking with your provider first and bringing documentation with you just in case.
My doctors also reassured me that the second trimester is often the ideal time to travel. For many women, it is the sweet spot of pregnancy. The nausea and exhaustion of the first trimester have often improved, while the physical discomforts and increased risks associated with the third trimester have not yet arrived. That was certainly true for me. I still had energy to explore, enjoy long walks, spend time by the water, and truly appreciate every moment of the trip.
As I prepared for the flight, I quickly realized that traveling while pregnant (and high risk at that!) requires a very different strategy than it used to.
I booked an aisle seat because pregnancy and tiny airplane bathrooms are a combination nobody should underestimate. Also first class with priority boarding was a must, and I prefer flying Delta if I am flying commercial. My experiences with them have consistently been positive, and I find the overall travel experience much less stressful.
I also checked both of my bags. At this stage of pregnancy, carrying heavy luggage through an airport simply was not worth it. Saving my energy and protecting my back felt much more important than avoiding baggage claim.
My carry-on was intentionally simple: a small backpack with my essentials, diabetes supplies, snacks, and anything I might need during travel.
One thing that surprises people is that I actually do not mind layovers. In fact, during pregnancy I appreciate them. Long periods of sitting can increase swelling and circulation issues, and when you add Type One Diabetes into the equation, movement becomes even more important. A layover gives me a chance to stretch, walk, hydrate, use the restroom, and reset before the next flight. For me, those breaks make traveling much more comfortable.
Traveling with Type One Diabetes is an entirely different experience than traveling without it. Those of us living with T1D know that we do not simply pack clothes. We pack an entire pharmacy. Extra supplies. Backup supplies. Emergency supplies for the backup supplies.
I currently use the Dexcom G7 continuous glucose monitor, and one thing I am always careful about is airport security. I keep extra sensors separate and request hand inspections whenever necessary. Protecting my diabetes equipment is not something I am willing to compromise on, especially during pregnancy.
I also highly recommend TSA PreCheck if you travel frequently. It does not guarantee a perfect experience, but it can make the process much smoother.
On my flight to Florida, everything went exactly as it should. The TSA agents were respectful. I explained that I was wearing a CGM. I went through the standard metal detector, which did not affect my device, and I was on my way within minutes. It was simple, professional, and stress-free.Unfortunately, my return flight was a very different story.
Despite explaining both my pregnancy and my medical device, I felt completely dismissed. I was given medical advice by TSA agents, individuals who were not qualified to provide it.
My concerns were ignored. My requests were brushed aside. I requested a female agent for a pat-down and was denied. Eventually, I was forced through a full-body scanner. Shortly afterward, my Dexcom malfunctioned.
For someone without diabetes, that might not sound like a major issue. For a pregnant Type One Diabetic, it was terrifying.
Suddenly I was without reliable glucose readings and accurate diabetes management for several hours. During pregnancy, blood sugar management becomes even more critical. Hormones affect insulin sensitivity constantly, and maintaining stable numbers requires ongoing adjustments. My child’s life was literally at risk all because some man’s ego and power trip took priority over our safety.
Thankfully, my sensor eventually began functioning again during my second flight back to Columbus. But those hours without reliable information were incredibly stressful.
The experience reinforced something I have learned repeatedly throughout my life with diabetes - You have to advocate for yourself.
Whether you are pregnant, diabetic, wearing a CGM, using an insulin pump, or traveling with any medical device, do not be afraid to speak up. They may not listen but at least you tried.
You know your body. You understand your medical needs. And you deserve to be treated with respect.
Despite that difficult experience, this trip was still everything I needed.
The beach walks, the sunshine, the slow mornings fading into warm evenings, salt air, time spent in prayer, the joy of planning a celebration for our baby boy - It all gave me the opportunity to slow down and enjoy this season of life before everything changes.
As I write this, I am preparing to enter my third trimester. My days are becoming increasingly focused on doctor appointments, and all of the little details that come with preparing to welcome a child into the world.
Life is about to look very different.
And while I could not be more excited, I am deeply grateful that I took this time for myself.
For one month, I traded gray Ohio skies for sunshine and palm trees. I listened to what my body needed. I listened to what my heart needed. And I came home feeling refreshed, grateful, and ready for this next chapter.
Looking back, I do not regret a single moment.
Not the flights. Not the planning. Not the extra precautions. None of it. Because before I fully step into motherhood, I was able to spend one final season reconnecting with myself, soaking up sunshine, and making memories with my baby boy before he even arrives, and that is something I will treasure forever.
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