HELP! Cruising pregnant (and flying)- what am I not thinking of? UPDATE and thanks!

[tee11]

Hi! I'm hoping you all can advise me...

We booked our vacation about 6 months ago, will be leaving this week, and well, it turns out we are expecting our second!
I will be in the latter half of my 1st trimester, and this is the first time I will be flying and cruising pregnant!
My first pregnancy was not without complications, but I've been cleared by my doctors for this trip, and all looks well at the moment.

I'm getting ready to pack our bags, and I'm trying to think of all the things I need to bring, and things I should not do and eat, etc. ...and maybe the pregnancy hormones have gotten the best of me, because I have the feeling I'm forgetting something!?

Please tell what I must remember as someone who is flying and cruising pregnant for the first time!

-Do I need a note from my doctor? Or is that for later in pregnancy?
-A special note for the medications I will be bringing?
-Have you refused to walk through the XR at airport security?
-What did you do for nausea???
(I'm getting very worried, as the weather forecast looks a bit stormy... I ordered the Seaband -which I've never used before)
-I can't go into the hot tub... no alcohol of course, and avoid the deli meats at breakfast....

What am I not thinking of??

 

[Princess Stitch]

Hi! I'm hoping you all can advise me... We booked our vacation about 6 months ago, will be leaving this week, and well, it turns out we are expecting our second! I will be in the latter half of my 1st trimester, and this is the first time I will be flying and cruising pregnant! My first pregnancy was not without complications, but I've been cleared by my doctors for this trip, and all looks well at the moment. I'm getting ready to pack our bags, and I'm trying to think of all the things I need to bring, and things I should not do and eat, etc. ...and maybe the pregnancy hormones have gotten the best of me, because I have the feeling I'm forgetting something!? Please tell what I must remember as someone who is flying and cruising pregnant for the first time! -Do I need a note from my doctor? Or is that for later in pregnancy? -A special note for the medications I will be bringing? -Have you refused to walk through the XR at airport security? -What did you do for nausea??? (I'm getting very worried, as the weather forecast looks a bit stormy... I ordered the Seaband -which I've never used before) -I can't go into the hot tub... no alcohol of course, and avoid the deli meats at breakfast.... What am I not thinking of??

Congrats! I've cruised pregnant twice and had no issues.

Assuming you're not showing you won't need a note at all. Disney won't ask for one and neither will the airline unless you look like you're late in your third trimester. If you're bringing perscription meds just keep them in the original bottles with their labels. Any over the counter stuff will not require a note.

I had no problems with walking through the airport scanner. I probably got more radiation microwaving popcorn lol.

I wore seabands for the nausea, but never took anything else. If you're worried i'm sure your doc can give you a perscription for something safe before you leave I found that sour candy helped me alot. Cherry or green apple jolly ranchers always helped to settle my tummy.

What you avoid is all personal comfort level I think. You're not supposed to eat anything high in nitrates, so no deli meat, hot dogs or bacon. No undercooked or raw meat or fish, no raw eggs (real ceasar dressing has raw egg), and you're supposed to limit your caffeine intake.

You won't be able to go on the aquaduck, and I personally didn't do any excursions while pregnant but i'm sure theres lots of safe ones you can participate in.

Make sure your travel insurance will cover any medical issues related to pregnancy (not all do in my experience) and have a blast!

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Soft cheeses are sometimes made with unpasteurized milk, which should be avoided. Brie, feta, and Camembert are some of the more likely candidates to be made with unpasteurized milk. So if you are going to order the cheese platter from room service, you should ask if the cheeses are made from unpasteurized milk

 

[xlxo]

You might want to look at this link...
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/booking-conditions-gb/

Refusal of Passage

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. In addition, neither Disney Cruise Line nor the Carrier can be held responsible or liable for any complications relating to pregnancy at any stage. Infants under 12 weeks old will not be allowed to travel aboard the Vessels as the Vessels do not have adequate medical facilities for childbirth. For reservations made after July 17, 2014, on sailings commencing in 2015 and beyond, the minimum age to sail aboard any Vessel is 6 months of age on most itineraries, and the minimum age for Transatlantic, Hawaii, and Panama Canal itineraries is 1 year of age.

 

[travelgirl06]

Congrats!

Drink lots of water and if you have any nausea snacks, bring them along (goldfish crackers always helped me, so I always had them when traveling). Bring an empty water bottle and fill it after security (or buy one past security) that way you have something to sip on throughout the flight without worrying about when the flight attendant might come by. Also, aisle seats are nice, in case there are frequent trips to the restroom

While pregnant I have always opted out of the scanners at the airport and just done the metal detector and pat-down. That's just me though.

We cruised last fall and I was about 20 weeks along, I confirmed with my TA that DCL would not require a doctors note (I would double check with your TA or DCL though just in case the policy has changed - first trimester nobody will probably notice anyways, but I was obviously showing). We did the Bahamas cruise and did a nice walk around Nassau and a swim at Junkanoo beach, then on CC we split the day between playtime at the family beach with ODD and an afternoon at Serenity bay for us - perfection

 

[PrincessShmoo]

You might want to look at this link...
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/booking-conditions-gb/

Refusal of Passage

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. In addition, neither Disney Cruise Line nor the Carrier can be held responsible or liable for any complications relating to pregnancy at any stage. Infants under 12 weeks old will not be allowed to travel aboard the Vessels as the Vessels do not have adequate medical facilities for childbirth. For reservations made after July 17, 2014, on sailings commencing in 2015 and beyond, the minimum age to sail aboard any Vessel is 6 months of age on most itineraries, and the minimum age for Transatlantic, Hawaii, and Panama Canal itineraries is 1 year of age.

Doesn't really apply to OP, who says "I will be in the latter half of my 1st trimester." So, no further along than 12 weeks.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

As far as I know, you cannot refuse the scanner and fly, and it poses no risk to pregnancy.

 

[KLK622]

Hi! I'm hoping you all can advise me...

We booked our vacation about 6 months ago, will be leaving this week, and well, it turns out we are expecting our second!
I will be in the latter half of my 1st trimester, and this is the first time I will be flying and cruising pregnant!
My first pregnancy was not without complications, but I've been cleared by my doctors for this trip, and all looks well at the moment.

I'm getting ready to pack our bags, and I'm trying to think of all the things I need to bring, and things I should not do and eat, etc. ...and maybe the pregnancy hormones have gotten the best of me, because I have the feeling I'm forgetting something!?

Please tell what I must remember as someone who is flying and cruising pregnant for the first time!

-Do I need a note from my doctor? Or is that for later in pregnancy?
-A special note for the medications I will be bringing?
-Have you refused to walk through the XR at airport security?
-What did you do for nausea???
(I'm getting very worried, as the weather forecast looks a bit stormy... I ordered the Seaband -which I've never used before)
-I can't go into the hot tub... no alcohol of course, and avoid the deli meats at breakfast....

What am I not thinking of??

If you have seen your doctor I would bring a copy of your medical records related to the pregnancy-not because Disney or the airline will want them, but they would help a doctor care for you if you encounter a medical situation while traveling.

If you are worried about sea sickness I would call your OB and ask what medication is OK for you to take while pregnant. Sometimes they will OK things for short term use if you really need it....I am sure you are not the first patient to call and ask them that question.

I flew monthly while pregnant with my son-I always used whatever security they sent me through. I am pretty sure you can refuse the scanner, but then you will need to go through the metal detector and be prepared for additional screening.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

As far as I know, you cannot refuse the scanner and fly, and it poses no risk to pregnancy.

You can refuse the scanner, pregnant or not. But you will have to go through a pat down if you refuse it. You can check with your doctor, but the scanner doesn't really pose a risk.

 

[joy327]

Congratulation! I think as long as your doctor clear you for travel, then you should be fine. Ask for prescription of nauseous before your cruise. You can tell airport staff that you're pregnan, then they will have woman staff to manual screen you. I did it once when I was 7 months pregnant. Eat health, avoid alcohol, and enjoy relaxing yourself. Have fun!

 

[KBinCO]

As far as I know, you cannot refuse the scanner and fly, and it poses no risk to pregnancy.

Sure you can, I always do, pregnant or not.

 

[tee11]

Congrats! I've cruised pregnant twice and had no issues.

Assuming you're not showing you won't need a note at all. Disney won't ask for one and neither will the airline unless you look like you're late in your third trimester. If you're bringing perscription meds just keep them in the original bottles with their labels. Any over the counter stuff will not require a note.

I had no problems with walking through the airport scanner. I probably got more radiation microwaving popcorn lol.

I wore seabands for the nausea, but never took anything else. If you're worried i'm sure your doc can give you a perscription for something safe before you leave I found that sour candy helped me alot. Cherry or green apple jolly ranchers always helped to settle my tummy.

What you avoid is all personal comfort level I think. You're not supposed to eat anything high in nitrates, so no deli meat, hot dogs or bacon. No undercooked or raw meat or fish, no raw eggs (real ceasar dressing has raw egg), and you're supposed to limit your caffeine intake.

You won't be able to go on the aquaduck, and I personally didn't do any excursions while pregnant but i'm sure theres lots of safe ones you can participate in.

Make sure your travel insurance will cover any medical issues related to pregnancy (not all do in my experience) and have a blast!

THANK YOU for all this great advice. Especially for the bolded, I'm not showing and thought I don't need a note, and was planning on keeping the original bottles for meds - then I was second guessing myself, thanks for writing this!

I will double check our travel insurance, that's a good point, I'm pretty sure that pregnancy related emergencies were included...

We were only planning on a beach type excursion, our first is too young to do anything wild!

Sour candy or ginger candy is probably something I will have to bring from home!? Thanks for reminding me!!!

 

[tee11]

Congratulation! I think as long as your doctor clear you for travel, then you should be fine. Ask for prescription of nauseous before your cruise. You can tell airport staff that you're pregnan, then they will have woman staff to manual screen you. I did it once when I was 7 months pregnant. Eat health, avoid alcohol, and enjoy relaxing yourself. Have fun!

Thank you, yes, I will refuse the scanner and do the manual screen!

 

[tee11]

Soft cheeses are sometimes made with unpasteurized milk, which should be avoided. Brie, feta, and Camembert are some of the more likely candidates to be made with unpasteurized milk. So if you are going to order the cheese platter from room service, you should ask if the cheeses are made from unpasteurized milk

Yes, thanks for reminding me... I will ask them!!! I was dying to try the cheese platter, as we completely missed room service on our last cruise!

 

[Sparrow78]

Wasn't there just this year a girl cruising with carnival who they wouldn't allow to board because she said she was pregnant? Because I remember that I would have something with you just in case!

 

[tee11]

Congrats!

Drink lots of water and if you have any nausea snacks, bring them along (goldfish crackers always helped me, so I always had them when traveling). Bring an empty water bottle and fill it after security (or buy one past security) that way you have something to sip on throughout the flight without worrying about when the flight attendant might come by. Also, aisle seats are nice, in case there are frequent trips to the restroom

While pregnant I have always opted out of the scanners at the airport and just done the metal detector and pat-down. That's just me though.

We cruised last fall and I was about 20 weeks along, I confirmed with my TA that DCL would not require a doctors note (I would double check with your TA or DCL though just in case the policy has changed - first trimester nobody will probably notice anyways, but I was obviously showing). We did the Bahamas cruise and did a nice walk around Nassau and a swim at Junkanoo beach, then on CC we split the day between playtime at the family beach with ODD and an afternoon at Serenity bay for us - perfection

Thank you!
The empty water bottle or buying a water bottle past security is a good point, as well as the anti- nausea snacks... The nausea was not so bad with my first pregnancy, and it's just really starting to hit me hard in the last few days, much more so than with my first! So I don't really have my go-to anti nausea snacks yet! I guess I need to figure that out fast!

P.S. I would LOVE to go to serenity bay! But we will see how it goes with DC#1 in the club or nursery (just turned 3)... it may have to wait until another cruise...

 

[KBinCO]

Thank you!
The empty water bottle or buying a water bottle past security is a good point, as well as the anti- nausea snacks... The nausea was not so bad with my first pregnancy, and it's just really starting to hit me hard in the last few days, much more so than with my first! So I don't really have my go-to anti nausea snacks yet! I guess I need to figure that out fast!

P.S. I would LOVE to go to serenity bay! But we will see how it goes with DC#1 in the club or nursery (just turned 3)... it may have to wait until another cruise...

Scuttle's Cove on CC was tons of fun for my kids. Not as young as yours (my youngest had just turned 4 and my other was 5) but it's a really fun little set up and I didn't even know it existed until a few hours after we were on CC. My kids spent the rest of the day there and hated to leave when we went to get them.

 

[tee11]

Wasn't there just this year a girl cruising with carnival who they wouldn't allow to board because she said she was pregnant? Because I remember that I would have something with you just in case!

Argh, really?

OK, maybe I do have to ask for a note...

This sounds like they were afraid of an episode from "I didn't know I was pregnant" ("not showing, no symptoms" giving birth the same day)

 

[Scottiesmommy08]

I cruised pregnant this past January. I brought a doctors note on the office letterhead just in case but no questions were asked. I also packed seabands bur only needed it once. I would just recommend comfy slip resistant shoes. I slid several time on deck in sandals.

 

[KBinCO]

Argh, really?

OK, maybe I do have to ask for a note...

This sounds like they were afraid of an episode from "I didn't know I was pregnant" ("not showing, no symptoms" giving birth the same day)

my SIL was in her first trimester last month, no issues, no questions asked. Pregnant with TWINS.