Cruising at 23.5 Weeks Pregnant?

[LillyBellesMommy]

My sister-in-law is pregnant and we are going on the Disney Fantasy from December 13-20, her due date is April 14 so she will be 22 weeks & 3 days pregnant when we begin our cruise. So during the cruise, she will be

22 W 3 Days
22 W 4 Days
22 W 5 Days
22 W 6 Days
23 W
23 W 1 Day
23 W 2 Days
23 W 3 Days

Will she be allowed to cruise??

Thank you so much!

 

[Carrie in AZ]

Not sure of the official rules but I saw many baby bumps on the Wonder this week.

 

[savage1117]

This is what I found online. Women who have entered their 24th week of pregnancy as of their embarkation date will be refused passage.

 

[bumbershoot]

Women who have entered their 24th week of pregnancy as of their embarkation date or who will enter their 24th week of pregnancy during the cruise will be refused passage due to safety concerns. Neither a physician's medical statement nor a waiver of liability will be accepted.

And the "24th week" means 23 weeks and 0, 1, 2, 3, etc, days. Just like when DS turns 11 in May, he'll be starting his 12th year.

 

[LemonPie]

While I think it is a very prudent rule, having been and L&D nurse for 8 years, really who is going to dare ask a woman with a paunch "how pregnant are you?" and how on earth would they prove it?

 

[hkriw]

usually 24 weeks in 24 0/7 24 1/7 etc- so the week after she gets off the ship. as a NICU RN thats how I see it

 

[Otimon]

While I think it is a very prudent rule, having been and L&D nurse for 8 years, really who is going to dare ask a woman with a paunch "how pregnant are you?" and how on earth would they prove it?

With all due respect, being scared to "offend" someone by asking how far along they are is just ridiculous and has gotten out of hand IMHO!

With someone so close to, or right at, the cutoff time for cruising, cannot understand for the life of me why they would even consider putting the baby in any danger should the unexpected happen. Disney ships are not equipped with a maternity ward. That cutoff time is there for a good reason - pay attention and follow it!

 

[taswira]

With all due respect, being scared to "offend" someone by asking how far along they are is just ridiculous and has gotten out of hand IMHO!

With someone so close to, or right at, the cutoff time for cruising, cannot understand for the life of me why they would even consider putting the baby in any danger should the unexpected happen. Disney ships are not equipped with a maternity ward. That cutoff time is there for a good reason - pay attention and follow it!

This.

And OFFICIALLY, she will "enter" her 24th week from the time she is 23 weeks pregnant. For both the sake of her baby AND herself, she should not be allowed to board the ship.

 

[LillyBellesMommy]

Thanks for all the replies! I am going to give DCL a call today to see what they say.

Unfortunately, this trip has been planned since before I was pregnant...my daughter is now 14 months old. So...a long time! We are going as a group of 13 to celebrate my crazy hard working mother in laws retirement. She and my father in law are taking all of us. My sister in law is aware of the risks, but is also very aware of her body as this is her 4th baby. It isn't my decision whether or not she makes the choice to come on the trip. We are just trying to find out if she would even be allowed.

Hopeful we can find out a for sure answer soon.

 

[mpetersen]

I know I'll get flamed for this but I sailed pregnant with DH at 27 weeks. No one asked me how far along I was or even asked about my pregnancy. I actually had to bring it up at Palo. My doctor gave me the all clear to fly/ sail due to an uncomplicated pregnancy. They sent me with a full copy of my records just in case anything happened. I know there are rules for a reason but after discussing with my doctor early on we went along with the trip.

 

[LillyBellesMommy]

I know I'll get flamed for this but I sailed pregnant with DH at 27 weeks. No one asked me how far along I was or even asked about my pregnancy. I actually had to bring it up at Palo. My doctor gave me the all clear to fly/ sail due to an uncomplicated pregnancy. They sent me with a full copy of my records just in case anything happened. I know there are rules for a reason but after discussing with my doctor early on we went along with the trip.

No judging thank you for answering!! Can I ask when your cruise was because they just recently changed the rules in Jan 2014.

I just called DCL and even that cast member seemed a little unsure. I'm just a bit worried about their kids. I would hate for our WHOLE family to be about to board and then they get turned away. Ah, that would be awful!! She is so SO close to the cutoff- she's pushing her luck

 

[wilkeliza]

I know I'll get flamed for this but I sailed pregnant with DH at 27 weeks. No one asked me how far along I was or even asked about my pregnancy. I actually had to bring it up at Palo. My doctor gave me the all clear to fly/ sail due to an uncomplicated pregnancy. They sent me with a full copy of my records just in case anything happened. I know there are rules for a reason but after discussing with my doctor early on we went along with the trip.

From my understanding the rule is just there so if god forbid something happen to your or your baby they aren't liable for the fact there isn't a delivery ward onboard. Pre-24 weeks there is such a slim chance of survival that it isn't seem as something that could make the difference. Post 24 weeks being on a island or boat versus being by a major children's hospital could be all the difference.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

This. And OFFICIALLY, she will "enter" her 24th week from the time she is 23 weeks pregnant. For both the sake of her baby AND herself, she should not be allowed to board the ship.

If the rule is you can't be in your 24th week at the time of embarkation then according to the breakdown provided by the OP she is totally legit to sail. She enters her 24th week halfway thru the cruise. By DCL rules she's good to go.

I would never presume to tell any woman what is/is not acceptable for them. Each woman knows their body and the burden of making informed decisions is hers. Informed is the key. Know the risks. Know the environment. Think thru the what-ifs.

Personally, with both my pregnancies I would've been totally ducky to vacation/fly/sail all the way to 37 weeks. I say 37 because that's when the doctor was looking to induce me because I carried BIG babies. Even then I ended up going the full 40 because my body did pregnancy like a champ and held strong for the full distance. I don't think I would've wanted to travel that big-n-pregnant because I was so uncomfortable. I get that cruise lines need to set limitations for their reasons. I just hate to see people passing judgement or calling someone they don't know on the carpet. Give us gals some credit. We can make good choices for ourselves and our babies! Promise!

 

[gizzardgoop]

I think it's up to her after talking her doctor. If she is close but technically under Disney's cutoff, it's her body and her choice, no one else's.

 

[Zandy595]

I know I'll get flamed for this but I sailed pregnant with DH at 27 weeks. No one asked me how far along I was or even asked about my pregnancy. I actually had to bring it up at Palo. My doctor gave me the all clear to fly/ sail due to an uncomplicated pregnancy. They sent me with a full copy of my records just in case anything happened. I know there are rules for a reason but after discussing with my doctor early on we went along with the trip.

It's not about anyone's doctor giving them permission. It's a DCL rule. You are asked during the online check-in, "Will anyone in your travel party be pregnant 24 weeks or more at any point during the sailing?"

 

[PrincessShmoo]

It's not about anyone's doctor giving them permission. It's a DCL rule. You are asked during the online check-in, "Will anyone in your travel party be pregnant 24 weeks or more at any point during the sailing?"

And if you lie about it, it's on you if something bad happens. Disney is a great believer in covering all their bases.

I agree, onboard a ship is not where I would want to go into premature labor (and even those women who've delivered previously can do so). The medical center onboard, while nicely equipped for most medical issues, is not a place that can handle premature babies or their moms.

 

[ldo]

I was in high risk ward of hospital for 10 days @ 28 weeks--trust me, there are Moms with uncomplicated pregs who, for various reasons, get admitted from 24-27 weeks--pre-eclampsia, preterm labor, water breaking, etc.
Babies can survive at 24+ weeks with a high level NICU. Survival from 24-27 weeks without advanced medical care would be very difficult.

 

[wallawallakids]

I was in high risk ward of hospital for 10 days @ 28 weeks--trust me, there are Moms with uncomplicated pregs who, for various reasons, get admitted from 24-27 weeks--pre-eclampsia, preterm labor, water breaking, etc. Babies can survive at 24+ weeks with a high level NICU. Survival from 24-27 weeks without advanced medical care would be very difficult.

Yep. I agree. So much can go wrong so quickly in a pregnancy. And just because it is her fourth doesn't mean she is low risk. Each pregnancy is different. I had 2 healthy term pregnancies and my third was a mess. Early labor, preeclampsia, liver failure and ultimately surgery during my pregnancy. It was smooth sailing until my 23rd week and then all hell broke loose. I don't even want to think of what would have happened if I was on a ship. I will forever be thankful I was close to a hospital. To each their own but I if it was my child, I wouldn't sail at 23.5 weeks. Even if disney technically let me.

 

[LillyBellesMommy]

I have had a baby as well so am very aware of complications... As I said, this is NOT my baby. Not sure why so many opinions are being thrown out as I simply asked if she would be allowed to cruise. Not if she SHOULD cruise.

It is her choice, not mine. Again. This is my sister in law. We are going as a group of 13 so my husband, other sister in law and I were curious what will happen.

Thank you for all the replies. I am sure my SIL will make the decision that is best for her baby as she is an incredible mother...

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I have had a baby as well so am very aware of complications... As I said, this is NOT my baby. Not sure why so many opinions are being thrown out as I simply asked if she would be allowed to cruise. Not if she SHOULD cruise. It is her choice, not mine. Again. This is my sister in law. We are going as a group of 13 so my husband, other sister in law and I were curious what will happen. Thank you for all the replies. I am sure my SIL will make the decision that is best for her baby as she is an incredible mother...

Exactly.

Sorry this is one of *those* subjects (like taking kids out of school, etc).

Happy sailing!