Twin Pregnancy Questions while on cruise

disneyfan1992 · Aug 4, 2015

I am asking for general knowledge, not for myself. I am a twin mom and belong to several twin boards. Occasionally, a pregnant woman expecting twins will ask question about cruise.

I provide link to cruise terms & conditions which state 24 week rule, but often wondered if there was a different guideline or policy for those expecting multiples.

What other information would you provide to expecting moms about the possible risks of traveling while pregnant, especially with twins?

For me, the possibility of needing medical attention in a foreign country and no insurance coverage (or need to pay upfront before receiving care) is a big risk.

Also if babies are born in another country, how do you get babies home?

Possibly being refused entry onto ship at start of cruise if you don't have doctor's note stating how far along you are. Twin moms generally show earlier and have larger bellies. Or being asked by disney to disembark at any port if they feel there is a risk. If asked to leave, you are on own to arrange all medical care, transportation, hotel arrangements, return flight, etc, correct?

Am I correct in thinking that every visit to the on board ship doctor /nurse is an out of pocket cost? Does on board infirmary have ultrasound machine or specially equipped to handle pregnancy related complications?

Is there any travel insurance that is known to have better coverage for expecting moms? Or any carriers that exclude /won't cover expecting mom? Or if pregnancy is an exclusion clause?

What are other risks that could be encountered? Other things to consider?

Thank you!

PrincessShmoo · Aug 4, 2015

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disneyfan1992 said:
I am asking for general knowledge, not for myself. I am a twin mom and belong to several twin boards. Occasionally, a pregnant woman expecting twins will ask question about cruise.

I provide link to cruise terms & conditions which state 24 week rule, but often wondered if there was a different guideline or policy for those expecting multiples.

What other information would you provide to expecting moms about the possible risks of traveling while pregnant, especially with twins?

For me, the possibility of needing medical attention in a foreign country and no insurance coverage (or need to pay upfront before receiving care) is a big risk.

Also if babies are born in another country, how do you get babies home?

Possibly being refused entry onto ship at start of cruise if you don't have doctor's note stating how far along you are. Twin moms generally show earlier and have larger bellies. Or being asked by disney to disembark at any port if they feel there is a risk. If asked to leave, you are on own to arrange all medical care, transportation, hotel arrangements, return flight, etc, correct? No note from the doctor is necessary. When the reservation is made (or, possibly, when you do the online check in) you have to check whether anyone in the party will be in their 24th week during the cruise. You're on the honor system. If you are medically removed from the ship, yes, you would be responsible for your own expenses.

Am I correct in thinking that every visit to the on board ship doctor /nurse is an out of pocket cost? Does on board infirmary have ultrasound machine or specially equipped to handle pregnancy related complications? Yes, visiting the doctor has a cost (I believe the current cost for a doctor visit is $149). You pay up front (it is charged to your onboard account), and you submit to your personal health insurance (or travel health insurance) once home for reimbursement. Don't know about an ultrasound machine, but I would think not.

Is there any travel insurance that is known to have better coverage for expecting moms? Or any carriers that exclude /won't cover expecting mom? Or if pregnancy is an exclusion clause? Policies and carriers vary. Some cover it, others don't. You have to read each policy to find the one that works for you.

What are other risks that could be encountered? Other things to consider?

Thank you!

My responses in red.

bumbershoot · Aug 4, 2015

The weeks rule is in place because that's about the mark that babies have a possibility of survival if they are born. If they are born at that mark on a cruise ship, I highly doubt survival is going to happen. I would guess that with twins they would be even smaller and it really wouldn't happen.

Being pregnant on a cruise was a miserable bummer enough 1 to 2 weeks post conception (aka 3 and 4 weeks pregnant), and yes we could tell, because symptoms started early with bras not fitting, waistbands making me insane, not being able to drink my looked forward to rum drinks (planned the honeymoon for a year, never expecting to conceive on the wedding night, one week before the cruise) and not knowing if that morning of being sick was the baby or coming out of the Inside Passage. Oh and passing out by 8pm every night, sleeping in every morning, while my brand new hubby wandered the ship alone trying to find things to do... I can't imagine wanting to cruise while pregnant let alone multiples.

As long as they understand that nothing fast can be done for them if something starts to happen, if they feel comfy going, the same number of weeks rule is in place.

Disneyteachers · Aug 4, 2015

disneyfan1992 said:
I am asking for general knowledge, not for myself. I am a twin mom and belong to several twin boards. Occasionally, a pregnant woman expecting twins will ask question about cruise.

I provide link to cruise terms & conditions which state 24 week rule, but often wondered if there was a different guideline or policy for those expecting multiples.

What other information would you provide to expecting moms about the possible risks of traveling while pregnant, especially with twins?

For me, the possibility of needing medical attention in a foreign country and no insurance coverage (or need to pay upfront before receiving care) is a big risk.

Also if babies are born in another country, how do you get babies home?

Possibly being refused entry onto ship at start of cruise if you don't have doctor's note stating how far along you are. Twin moms generally show earlier and have larger bellies. Or being asked by disney to disembark at any port if they feel there is a risk. If asked to leave, you are on own to arrange all medical care, transportation, hotel arrangements, return flight, etc, correct?

Am I correct in thinking that every visit to the on board ship doctor /nurse is an out of pocket cost? Does on board infirmary have ultrasound machine or specially equipped to handle pregnancy related complications?

Is there any travel insurance that is known to have better coverage for expecting moms? Or any carriers that exclude /won't cover expecting mom? Or if pregnancy is an exclusion clause?

What are other risks that could be encountered? Other things to consider?

Thank you!

I'm not sure i would cruise with a singleton easier. I has Pre Term Labor with both before the cut off. Even if you've had an easy pregnancy, I think the risk is not one i would be willing to take.

gotomu212 · Aug 4, 2015

The Magic had an ultrasound in 2012. It was used on my husband for a gallbladder issue. Ultrasounds are pretty standard for most abdominal organ issues and the medical center can function as an OR so I would think they still have them on all the ships.

The only issue with twins I see is that there is a higher risk to your pregnancy but if you're healthy and your doctor clears you, there isnt anything addition you need for Disney.

PrincessShmoo · Aug 4, 2015

gotomu212 said:
The Magic had an ultrasound in 2012

Thanks for the information.

wilkeliza · Aug 4, 2015

I would say the biggest advice would be for the expecting mother to consult with her OBGYN. The age of viability doesn't change due to twins so there isn't much that will help at 23 weeks or earlier if there are multiples or just a single.

Pooh2 · Aug 4, 2015

Having experienced a high risk twin pregnancy, I would recommend NOT cruising.
Having to make unexpected trips to the hospital is scary enough when you are seeing your own care providers. We did not venture more than a couple hours from home.

mylittlebuttercup · Aug 4, 2015

I can't answer all of those questions, but have a few thoughts that relate to some of what you asked.

You asked about people bringing the babies home when they have them out of the country. I actually know someone from HS who went to Europe while pregnant and ended up having her baby (just a single baby, not twins) a couple of months early (not sure of the reason, didn't feel it was my place to ask.) She was then stuck in that country for about a month, maybe more, until the hospital cleared the baby for travel.

Basically, I would advise anyone, especially people pregnant with multiples, not to travel too far into their pregnancy even if allowed because you never know what could happen. This is especially important in a cruise, in my opinion, as medical facilities are limited compared to on land. I cruised when I was about seven weeks pregnant, and that was perfect. It was basically the same as cruising when not pregnant, except that I couldn't drink, go in hot tubs/sauna/steam room, or use the Aquaduck. But the further into a pregnancy, the more risk people are for issues like preeclampsia, placental abruption, etc., and a lot of travel insurances exclude pre-existing conditions like pregnancy.

natesmama · Aug 5, 2015

I will be 14-15 weeks when we set sail. I honestly wouldn't feel comfortable cruising much further in the pregnancy. Sure there is a risk and we've crossed our Ts and dotted our Is as far as insurance and potential emergency situations. That being said, at that stage of the game there is little that my own doctors would do to save the baby should an emergency happen. Depending on the situations possibly meds or some stitches in the cervix, but that's really it. I'm sailing with my doctor's blessing and really am not worried about it. I would probably recommend no mother set sail further into her 2nd trimester though. The closer to viability the more at risk IMO.

Zandersmom · Aug 5, 2015

I sailed pretty close to the cut off of 24 weeks with twins, and while it wasn't as comfortable or fun as my disney cruises since, it was still awesome. Ours was a multi-generational/multi-family cruise, so I really didn't have control of the date we planned. I was pretty gigantic, and I mean really, really big and pregnant, and not one cast member even made mention of my pregnancy. I was expecting some challenge as to whether I was past the cutoff due to my size, and just like everything else, they were the utmost in class, customer service and respect. As other posters have mentioned, since I cruised before viability, I didn't worry about them being born in another country. While there were risks, I felt comfortable, though it's definitely a personal decision to make with the your doctor's input.

MissMet · Aug 6, 2015

I took a babymoon cruise with NCL when I was 23 weeks. I wasn't worried as my doctor was happy for me to go. I had a great time even with swelled up feet and bad sciatica issues.

SailingSeas · Aug 6, 2015

While Disney will not question the validity and ask for proof (HEPA and all...) should there be a problem and the mother needs attention from a hospital while overseas, it's best to have a copy of the medical notes on hand, to support the emergency physicians, and provide them with a point of contact back home. (It's a CYA thing...)

Twin Pregnancy Questions while on cruise

disneyfan1992

Mouseketeer

PrincessShmoo

DIS veteran

bumbershoot

DIS Veteran

Disneyteachers

Mouseketeer

gotomu212

DIS Veteran

PrincessShmoo

DIS veteran

wilkeliza

DIS Veteran

Pooh2

Dis Veteran

mylittlebuttercup

DIS Veteran

natesmama

Earning My Ears

Zandersmom

time flies-now I'm Mom to a whole Z pack!

MissMet

DIS Veteran

SailingSeas

Will Retire to Castaway Cay!

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