Pregnancy and (not) Cruising

[Stimpy]

After 5 years of trying for our DS and another 3 years trying for DD, I know the disappointment of failure and the extreme happiness of success. I personnally wouldn't want to risk anything going wrong that late in the pregnancy in the middle of the ocean.

That being said, we did go to WDW and 4 day cruise when I was about 12 weeks with my OB's blessing. Since we found out about the pregnancy too late to get a refund, we decided to still go. I was nervous the whole time since I was having other medical complications with this pregnancy. I wish we could have postponed the trip. I did notify DCL beforehand, since it was so early they did not require any paperwork.

Besides, your DW may not even want to go at that point. It really depends on the person and the pregnancy. She may not be feeling up to going on a cruise at that point.

 

[Dreamer04]

Hi. I do not believe there are any work arounds-other than lies.

I understand your frustration. However, I am sure it is brought about by the emotional roller coaster that infertility causes.

I have been in your shoes. Due to a chronic medical condition, it is almost impossible for me to concieve. Last July, I did. I was so thrilled that I had been blessed with another miracle!

My point is that we were booked on the 2/14/04 Magic, and I would not have been able to sail. I was still thrilled. Bursting with joy, I was dying to tell my DIS family my news. I almost called and canceled my cruise!!

Then, sadly and crushingly, I miscarried. This roller coaster sent me into a depression, that I am only getting over now.

My advice-don't make any decisions. Take care of yourself.


Ursula

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by CRB#33
This thread is really bugging me.

The rule is the rule. It's set in place for some darn good reasons.

Why anyone in their right mind would risk something that's risky to their child is beyond me.

For a cruise????

I agree.

Yes, everything in life is a risk, but that would be one risk I wouldn't want to take. Especially if it also included breaking the rules. The rules are in place for a reason...for your health and the health of your baby.

The cruise ship will always be there.

 

[RIDISNEYLOVERS]

Your Dr. will have to supply the week of pregnancy that you are in to DCL. I know this because I cruised in November 2002 and I was 12 weeks pregnant. It took us 2 years to conceive our 2nd child. We had that cruise planned well over a year and a half in advance and I was going thorugh infertility and I knew that if I beccame pregnant and would be over 24 weeks I would not go on the cruise. I even had them put a TBA on our reservation, just in case I had a baby before we sailed.

Just remember you can always take a vacation next year on DCL with your new addition and you won't have to worry about how to get around this.

Take care and God Bless you and your family!!

Lisa

 

[crisi]

Also a former infertility patient.

Wait to cruise. Really. My pregnancy, when it finally did occur, was not easy. Toxemia. Pre-term labor. My daughter was born, barely full term, at 30 weeks. We started talking about preperations for a possible early labor or early induction due to the toxemia at 26 weeks - about the time you are talking about sailing - I was given a level three ultrasound so they knew how to prep the NICU.

Now my sister just got off a cruise having made the opposite decision. After five years of trying, she was one week over the "don't sail" date for RCCL. Her MD was willing to sign paperwork saying she was a week less pregnant than they actually believe her to be and she went. They also couldn't move their cruise (it was a continuing education cruise for her husband - he went to classes during the day) Got back, everything was fine (although she didn't enjoy the cruise nearly as much as she thought she would). I thought she was nuts, but its her pregnancy and she didn't ask me my opinion. BTW, her bending the rules reflected very badly with my mother on her husband - who is now the selfish git who endangered the grandbaby by insisting on a vacation (regardless of my sisters complacency - after all, it couldn't possibly be one of her darling daughters at fault!).

Keep the booking until you need to cancel - just in case (although once you are twelve weeks along, you should be pretty safe).

 

[Jaypd]

Not to attack anyone or anything....But the whole thing about trying to hide how far along in your pregnancy is just not a chance worth taking. As a father who just had a second child decide to come before her time on May 30th I am speaking from first hand experience. Not only did we have to worry about the baby's health I almost lost my wife on the table during the C-Section. Long story short due to complications she almost Bled to Death. Knock on wood it all worked out. Now I would hate to think what might have happened if this happened on a cruise far from a hospital.

Family only comes around once.....If I did my math right the Disney Cruise comes around 156 times a year....Just something to think about.

 

[hydster]

Originally posted by CRSNDSNY

I agree.

Yes, everything in life is a risk, but that would be one risk I wouldn't want to take. Especially if it also included breaking the rules. The rules are in place for a reason...for your health and the health of your baby.

The cruise ship will always be there.

ITA CRSNDSNY!!! The guilt if something did happen would be more than I could bear. A healthy wife and baby are far more important than any vacation in my opinion and eventually you may be able to find a time to go and include the healthy baby as well.

Heidi

 

[Talking Hands]

I have a friend who works on the cruises. She could not cruise after her 23 week of pregnancy period. No exceptions. She didn't go back to cruising until her daughter was over 3 months old. Daughter has already cruised with Mom and Dad but she had to be at least 12 weeks old to cruise.

 

[Chefvad]

Boy, this thread sure stirred up some emotions...

Realistically, the idea of being on a boat in the middle of an ocean with a 26-week pregnant woman doesn't really excite me. Lying will serve no purpose other than to get us in trouble - either with Disney or the utero gods.

Counting my blessings, we are going to change the trip to a 7-day stay at the Poly with a silver dreammaker package. I will be calling the travel agent tomorrow for ideas and $$.

Thanks to all who posted advice. Nice to know there are others who have had the same problems with children. The boat will be there.

DW just hinted since I "ruined" this trip the next one (so much for the once in a lifetime adventure... )will have to make up for it. I think she is thinking about a cat 4 room, and lots of massages.

 

[Jaypd]

I think your making the right choice

 

[flexsmom]

Good for you - and I think she's right on the money with that Cat 4 idea! For the record, we found that traveling with an infant/toddler on a cruise is pretty easy - when the little one gets tired, you're just a few minutes away from a crib and a nap without completely disrupting everyone's vacation! (And my DH was more than willing to nap along, too!) Best of luck!

 

[mrsltg]

Congratualtions again, and please let us know how you and she are doing! Happily, Orlando is home to one of the best women and children's facilities in the country (Arnold Palmer Medical Center), so you are making a good choice to stay in the area.

Make sure you pack your charge card.... there are a LOT of adorable baby outfits available for purchase at WDW!!!

Erin

 

[Stimpy]

Originally posted by Chefvad
DW just hinted since I "ruined" this trip the next one (so much for the once in a lifetime adventure... )will have to make up for it. I think she is thinking about a cat 4 room, and lots of massages.

I told DH the same thing! LOL Since our 4 day wasn't as much fun as we thought we would have had, we taking the 7 day to "make up" for it. Originally, we were going to celebrate our 10th anniversary next year at the Polynesian but decided to take the Western cruise instead. This way I can get the full enjoyment out of the cruise!

Best wishes to you and DW for a healthy pregnancy!

 

[Stimpy]

Sorry! Dup Post!

 

[MarcyIn Florida]

I posted a long post, but see that you've changed your plans. Good luck and congrats!