"Expectant mothers should not ride."

[mom2dzb]

I'll be 11 (or so) weeks pregnant for our upcoming trip to WDW and I'm glancing through my guidebook to see which rides I'm not allowed to enjoy. Some suggest I shouldn't ride because they are "bumpy" and others say that expectant mothers and those prone to motion sickness should not ride. I'm very early in my pregnancy so "bumpy" isn't a problem and I'm past my morning sickness so I'm thinking motion sickness shouldn't be a problem, either. Has anyone been in a similar situation who would like to share what they did and did not ride?

 

[Ariel8676]

I have been to WDW pg a bunch of times..i obviously didn't ride any of the mountains, RRC,TOT, mission space,Kali river,dinosaur...
We did ride most everything else...Kilamanjaro safari i asked to sit in the front seat.

 

[MomPOM]

Here's some info I found online:

"Rapid acceleration and deceleration, prolonged multi-gravitational
(g) force and high speed rides are all common thrills in the amusement
park, exerting inertial forces of mass versus momentum. These forces
exerted on the pregnant rider may result in rupture of membranes,
abruptio placenta with immediate or delayed symptom presentation, vena
caval occlusion and fetal maternal haemorrhage (Buchsbaum, 1968;
Crosby et al, 1971; Crosby et al, 1968, Crosby, 1974; Mengert et al,
1953).

"Extensive studies of motor vehicle accidents during pregnancy have
found that violent motion of the uterus may cause injury, even in the
absence of an abdominal blow or any soft tissue injury to the mother
(Crosby and Costiloe, 1971; Crosby, et al 1968; Crosby 1974;
Pritchard, 1970). Animal studies have shown that during rapid
deceleration, the pregnant rider's body flexes forward and abdominal
organ compression elevates the intrauterine pressure and distorts the
uterine size and shape (Crosby and Costiloe 1971). In one report the
maximum pressure recorded was ten times that observed in labour
(Crosby, Synder, Snow et al 1968)."


I would think at such a precarious time in your pregancy that you wouldn't want to take any chances. Personally, I wouldn't ride any of the rides that have the advisory. Yes, most of it is a CYA thing for Disney but it is based on some science.

 

[Stellaluna]

Ask your OB on your next visit. I went with both my pregnancies, and my OB was able to give me very specific guidelines. I had a wonderful time because I wasn't worried about was or wasn't okay. There are lots of things you're going to be able to do without including 'risky' rides. I don't want to go into specifics because your OB knows you and your pregnancy where I don't. Congratulations, and have a wonderful trip!

 

[momof3disneyholics]

Even though they say expectant mothers should not ride, they cannot stop you if you want to. With that being said, I would avoid RNR, TOT, EE, SM, SplM, and BTMR. I think that most of the others are ok, but then again, use your own judgement.

 

[mkpat]

I'll be 11 (or so) weeks pregnant for our upcoming trip to WDW and I'm glancing through my guidebook to see which rides I'm not allowed to enjoy. Some suggest I shouldn't ride because they are "bumpy" and others say that expectant mothers and those prone to motion sickness should not ride. I'm very early in my pregnancy so "bumpy" isn't a problem and I'm past my morning sickness so I'm thinking motion sickness shouldn't be a problem, either. Has anyone been in a similar situation who would like to share what they did and did not ride?

I hate to sound negative, but if the sign says "expectant mothers do not ride" then I would heed the warning. Supposing you were to ride something that says that and afterwards you have complications with your pregnancy (and I certainly wish nothing but the best for you and your newborn), who will be at fault? Disney for not elaborating on the meaning of the discalimer?

 

[NotUrsula]

The studies that MomPom mentioned, while totally valid, are speaking of problems that normally do not occur that early in pregnancy. For example, placental abruption cannot occur at 11 weeks because the placenta doesn't exist yet at 11 weeks. (What you have instead is an amnion and a chorion, and they don't fuse until about 14-15 weeks, which is why it is possible to do chorionic villus sampling at 11 weeks.)

Don't be overly worried about this, and ask your OB for guidance. At 11 weeks in a healthy pregnancy, most will tell you that it is OK to do everything except the bigger coasters. (Also no waterslides, but that is because of potential infection.) What you will be told will be dependent upon your particular circumstances and the state of your health, and you should heed your doctor's advice.

Remember that a LOT of people don't even know that they are pregnant at 11 weeks. It's really VERY difficult to accidentally hurt a fetus that small unless you use chemical means.

 

[disneymomej]

I hate to sound negative, but if the sign says "expectant mothers do not ride" then I would heed the warning. Supposing you were to ride something that says that and afterwards you have complications with your pregnancy (and I certainly wish nothing but the best for you and your newborn), who will be at fault? Disney for not elaborating on the meaning of the discalimer?

I have to agree. Why would you ever take the risk? If something were to happen later, you would never forgive yourself. Stick to the rules, they are there to keep you and your unborn child safe. Enjoy your pregnancy. Be grateful, and know you will be back when that little one can ride the rides with you safely.

 

[kitchenfairy]

I have to agree and say if you have to question it then don't do it.

 

[Desnik]

I hate to be like a "debbie downer", but having miscarried 2 babies, one at 13 weeks, I would not take any chances! When the sign is there, it's for a reason. You maybe feeling fine, then go on a ride/attraction that will just not sit well with you. That happens when your pregnant! It can even happen from the motion on IASW!LOL I'm just saying you never know what can happen with even a "normal", "healthy" pregnancy. IMO it's just not that important to go on a ride.

I have gone to WDW pregnant at about 3 months and there was so much to see and do. Skipping a handful of things was really no big deal. Things like the mountains, Test Track, ToT, RNR, EE, Kali, Just remember to keep hydrated, rest when you need to and don't over do it. If you do a search over on the families board you'll find a ton of advice from numerous threads on this subject. Have a great time and Congrats on the baby!!

 

[amarberry]

I will be between 8 and 9 weeks pregnant when we are at WDW in 3 weeks. While I would not consider going on any of the roller coaster type rides, I did ask my OB yesterday when I was in for a visit about the safari ride. My OB, who has been to WDW and on the safari ride, said that she saw no risk in me going on that ride at the point I would be in my pregnancy. However, she said she wouldn't advise it for someone late in their pregnancy. I plan to ask for a front row seat which is what we did when we took our DD on the ride when she was 4 months old.

 

[Andy B]

We took our DD as a stowaway. As a layman I thought that violent movement in the early weeks of pregnancy could precipitate a misscarrage, please do not chance it.

 

[MomPOM]

I realize that the items I quoted were for late pregnancy issues. I guess I should have specified that. My point was that if it is this dangerous later in the pregnancy, I wouldn't want to chance it at a point in my pregnancy where I'm at the highest risk of miscarriage. My point was only to show that the warnings aren't there for no reason.

 

[maelstrom]

If it says that expectant mothers should not ride, then DO NOT RIDE. It really isn't worth the risk.

 

[WantToGoNow]

Unless this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip, you can always go back and ride these rides later. I would not want to put a pregnancy at risk. I have lost 2 babies (9 weeks and 21 weeks - so there is no "safe" time-frame) and I've always questioned whether it was something I did that caused the losses. I couldn't imagine the guilt if I knew that I did something that was questionable. Some of my favorite times this past trip was when I was sitting on a bench watching a sleeping or too small child while the rest of the family rode -- it's quite relaxing and not something you get to experience when you're running from attraction to attraction.

 

[karibritt01]

I think your OB's advice and common sense should prevail. Most of the pregnancy warning signs are for advanced pregnancy, as they could induce labor. POTC is one with a pregnancy warning, but is mild enough that it wouldn't cause a problem with early pregnancy, except possibly motion sickness. The baby at 12 weeks is so small and protected, that most rides will be fine. That being said... I would steer clear of the roller coasters, as they do throw you around a good bit!

 

[NotUrsula]

My point was that if it is this dangerous later in the pregnancy, I wouldn't want to chance it at a point in my pregnancy where I'm at the highest risk of miscarriage.

As a layman I thought that violent movement in the early weeks of pregnancy could precipitate a misscarrage, please do not chance it.

This is one of those misconceptions (if you'll pardon the pun) that a LOT of people have -- that violent motion commonly causes 1st-trimester miscarriages. It isn't true, unless you are speaking of repeated directed blows, such as what might happen if your abdomen were hit several times by a large male with a baseball bat. (Of course, that would cause a fractured pelvis, too, so at that point the miscarriage wouldn't be your only problem.) Even car wrecks won't usually do it, unless the mother suffers grave internal injuries. A fetus that age is no larger than your thumb and is floating freely in a cocoon of liquid, they are really very oblivious to the motion of the mother's body, and not much affected by gravity at all.

Early miscarriage is almost always caused by internal medical factors, and if it is going to happen it will happen -- and it will not matter at all if you don't move a muscle for the first 13 weeks. There is NO way to stop or prevent early miscarriage if the conditions for it are there. The primary reason for early miscarriage is a genetic anomaly in the fetus, or a failure of the mother's body to maintain the right hormone levels needed to sustain a pregnancy.

Avoidance of certain rides during early pregnancy is MUCH more about the mother's comfort than the fetus' safety. It is common to feel nauseous and/or faint, and that is no fun.

As to why I'm saying all this; it's not that I'm trying to pooh-pooh the idea of being cautious when pregnant -- that's why I said that you should discuss with your doctor and follow his/her advice. I'm saying it for all those women who suffer 1st-trimester miscarriages and torment themselves wondering "if only I hadn't [fill in the blank]". The point is that it wouldn't have made a difference, and no one should be implying that it might. My doctors told me, but initially I didn't believe them; only exhaustive research through reams of medical literature convinced me that they were not just humouring me. They were telling me nothing more than the simple truth, that nothing I might have done differently would have prevented those deaths, and nothing I ever did caused them, either.

 

[tinkhoney]

i see what everyone is putting and i understand. as others have said ask your ob first..

I know even at 26 weeks my ob only told me no Space mtn and no btmrr. I did not do splash either but i did everything but the ones i mentioned (ms and ee woRn't arround but i wouldn't do them)

I think once u ask your ob u will feel better and know exactly what u WANT to do.

 

[mom2dzb]

Thanks for all the advice!

I agree that asking my OB would be best, I just don't happen to have a relationship with my OB yet as it is taking a month and a half to get in for my initial appointment and that appointment is after our trip. I've had this vacation planned for 6 months. I've only been aware of my pregnancy for weeks. I've just started looking into rides I'm not supposed to be on.

I agree with those who say I shouldn't take any risks. I'm only curious as to which rides they suggest expectant mothers not ride because of the level of comfort, not safety. POTC on the list as those expectant mothers not riding? That seems silly in my situation. I'm also surprised Soarin' is on the list.

I don't want to ride the rides that are unsafe. I do want to be able to make the decision to ride those that might make me uncomfortable. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a way to distinguish between the reasons there are warnings on each ride.

 

[NotUrsula]

OK, that complicates things a bit, but not impossibly so. Here is how I suggest you consider proceeding:

1) Is this your regular gynecologist who has seen you in the past for checkups, but who will also treat you for your pregnancy? If so, you have enough of a relationship that you should be able to call the nurse and tell her that you are concerned about some questions that you REALLY need the dr. to answer before X date. I find it is easiest all around if you write the questions/concerns out clearly and succinctly and then fax them to the office, so that the doctor can look at them when he/she has some time, and you won't be depending on the nurse to relay the questions correctly. Generally you do NOT get a pelvic exam to confirm a pregnancy, but a fairly extensive blood workup and perhaps a viability ultrasound. There is also an extensive medical history, which you could ask to do in advance and fax back in so that the dr. can take that info into account. Your blood pressure will matter a lot under the circumstances, but a nurse can check that.

2) If you have never seen this doctor before, ask your regular internist for advice first. He/she should know your health well enough to know if there are red flags that should be taken into account before your OB offers an opinion.

Personally, I'd have some issues with a dr. who can't find time for an OB patient before the end of the first trimester. All of the OB's I've seen will at least have you come in for a viability ultrasound (done by a tech) by 8 weeks, in case there is an issue with an ectopic or chemical pregnancy. My OB and her partner will both stay late or come in early if an OB patient needs to be seen.