Expectant mothers and Rides ?

[djpositivek]

We just found out my wife is pregnant with our second and although we are very excited, she's a little bummed about not being able to go on some of the rides.

I was looking and they recommend not going on a lot of the rides, I was just wondering if this applies to someone who is 11 or 12 weeks along. Of course she can't ride the big coasters but a ride like Kilimanjaro's Safari says it's mild but wild thrills and expectant mothers should not ride. What are your thoughts on this type of ride ? It appears to me to just be a tour on a safari vehicle

Of course I haven't been to Disney since I was a kid so I wouldn't know.

 

[kstinw19]

We went to Disney when I was about 10 or 11 weeks pregnant with my son.

I went on everything but the following:

M:S
Space Mountain
Star Tours
Goofy's Barnstormer
Tower of Terror

Although I wouldn't recommend it, I did go on RnR, Splash and pretty much everything else. I had no problems with my pregnancy and he is a crazy 20 month old now.

As far as the safari goes, it's just bumpy, that's all. It really isn't much worse than a bumpy car ride, IMO.

Ironically, one of the two rides that has the most warnings for pregnant women (1 is M:S) is Goofy's Barnstormer. I guess it is very jerky and rough.

BTW...congrats and have a great time

 

[djpositivek]

Thanks, I did a search on the topic and found mixed opinions (as expected). DW will talk to her Doctor before we go and most likely will do what she feels OK with. Anybody do Kali River Rapids ? How was that one ?

We were going to do Wet & Wild but I'm thinking BB might have more she can go on. TL is closed while we are there.

 

[Syrreal]

i went to WDW at 26wks preg and didn't ride anything with the advisories. There was still PLENTY of stuff to ride. I am not sure about the safari since it can be really bumpy and I wouldn't feel comfortable doing it. Didn't do Kali either (but I rarely do it anyway unless I have a change of clothes). I think I would feel ok riding kali though because I don't think of it as very jerky or anything and has no big drops on it, but it depend on comfort level again.

 

[NotUrsula]

I've done it at 12. At that stage speed and bumpiness isn't much of an issue. (The most dangerous thing about theme park rides becomes an issue once you get further along -- placental separation due to directional force. When you are talking about something smaller than a gherkin, that normally isn't an issue yet unless the force is REALLY strong or you have a pre-existing problem of some sort.) I was told to stay off of RNR coaster, TOT, SpMtn and MSp, but everything else was OK for me. (In moderation, of course -- 6 consecutive times on Splash Mtn. probably wouldn't be good. I restricted myself to one round on any of the more jolting rides, just to be careful, and because I didn't want to throw up too much.) I find that on the bumpy things the trick is to brace carefully with your legs and let them take the jolts, much more comfortable when your tummy is kind of touchy.

The one thing that is absolutely forbidden at any stage of pregnancy is water slides, even small ones. She also should not jump into pools feet-first while pregnant, for the same reason that slides must be avoided. I don't want to go into gory detail, but there is a risk of infection if pool water is forced into the body. At BB, I just snoozed in the sun while DS and DH did the slides (I did do the family raft ride, though. Once.)

Morning sickness should be factored into these decisions -- one ride that tended to be a real day-wrecker for me is the Tomorrowland Speedway; the fumes are nasty. Also, I found that the smell of turkey legs was just horrendous at the time. She should drink double the amount of water that she normally would, dehydration comes on very fast when pregnant.

Of course, your OB may give her greater restrictions; it depends on her health. If her BP goes high, she may have to skip the more thrilling things. You should fess up to where you are going, it's important that your OB know about the trip and advise you. I was waiting on the result of a genetic test at the time of that trip, and my OB thought that it was great that I'd be able to relax and get my mind off of it.

 

[Syrreal]

Not about rides, but if you are looking for a way to pamper her, the spas at the GF and SSR, and the one at the dolphin (or is it the swan, I forget) offer mom-to-be massages that are quite nice. I had one at SSR in Nov and it made my day after a day at the parks.

Also, depending on her energy levels, she may not be up to running around the parks all day long. I wasn't. I am usually go go go "gotta beat the tourists" etc but just plain took it easy. We walked around, rode what I wanted to, took some pictures, ate a lot, and did some shopping. I would suggest letting her kinda take the reigns on what gets done. It's always better to leave something to look forward to for next time than to overdo it and end up in a dangerous situation. Disney isn't like Brigadoon, it'll be there later.

And I completely agree with NotUrsula, make sure she keeps well hydrated...and wears sunscreen.

 

[WaltzingMatilda]

Interesting thread. When I was about 6 weeks, my older sister and I horned in on the trip we had given my parents as a Christmas present. We flew down on the second day of their vacation and since I never go on 'scary" rides (pregnant or not!) I felt safe not revealing my little secret. Then we're in line for Star Tours, which I adore, and all the sudden I start thinking...pregnant women? This applies to me? The consensus between sis and I was that it only applied to "really" pregnant women...in fact the park guidelines are unclear as to a specific stages of pregnancy, which in hindsight I know applies to all expectant moms. Anyway, my long winded point being, I rode the ride (and was fine) but in hindsight would not do so again (even though it would really annoy me). A a previous poster said, there is a danger, and as another poster said, there is plenty else to do. Just as an aside, the next time you go after baby is here, make sure mom gets a little time to ride while you watch the wee ones.

Good luck, God Bless, and have fun!