Pregnancy and rides

[Sabathamk]

I know I have seen some posts before (and blogs, too) about being pregnant and not being able to go on some of the rides. I can understand the roller coasters (and while I loved those my last trip, I don't think I'll love them this time. My poor husband will have to go on them with our older two kids, and he is not nearly as 'ok' with the coasters as I am). My question is, I really want to do Kilimanjaro safari with my whole family. I've been on it each trip when not expecting, and I'm not sure why it is said to not be ok for pregnancy. That and Kali river rapids, actually... but we'd have to rider swap that one regardless due to my youngest two kids not being big enough. I will just be entering my second trimester. Can I still do this ride? Will they let me? I will definitely be showing (5th child and all... belly pops out so much sooner this time around). Thoughts? Anyone else had this?

 

[Tink_83]

So that is going to be up to you and your doctor (although I would assume most doctors will tell you to follow the guidelines because if something happens they don't want to be sued; basically that's what mine did without even considering the question really). I am pregnant as well and will be 21 weeks while I'm there and was really struggling with wanting to go on Splash Mountain (it hits 40 mph tops, the drop cannot be that dangerous) BUT the problem is that I can't find actual research on this. I'm sure there is research but Disney won't provide anyone with that... So in the absence of objective evidence (miscarriage rates, etc.) I've personally decided to err on the side of caution. I do agree that some of the recommendations seem a little much and of course are for any issues that could arise during any part of pregnancy (first trimester is very different from third) and for any condition during pregnancy (high risk, etc.).

In the end I've decided that my DD will get to ride most of the rides with her aunt/uncle taking her on them (DH will not be going with us) but that she will not get to do SM (she is 4 1/2 and doesn't know the rides yet, easy to keep her from it). Then the next time we go she can take me on my first ride on 7DMT and I can take her on SM. I'm with you on the frustration though! Regarding will they let you; I don't think they will tell you no; if you are in your second trimester and are like me (I'm 15 weeks and honestly don't look or feel pregnant yet) then really how would they know (you could just be a little larger or like my Mom and look perpetually pregnant after 8 c-sections and 10+ hernia repairs).

I'll also recommend Emily Oster's book Expecting Better, as it provides a good review of current pregnancy recommendations and examines the objective evidence behind them... Unfortunately she did not research theme park rides!

 

[wilkeliza]

If you are showing and a CM suspects they'll ask everyone being loaded and then you'll either have to lie or get off. It is the risk you'll have to decide if it is worth taking. I don't suspect of the safari you'll get asked but Kali you might. The reason both say no to pregnancy is because of the jostling. The safari has no restraints so a hard stop of the car could cause you to jolt you pretty badly. Most rides don't have warnings due to average ridding experiences but extreme experiences like estops when the stop is very hard. Think about how ridding in a car while pregnant is fine but possibly slamming on the breaks in an accident situation is not ideal. Disney also has to remove liability so if you ride and something happens to you or yor baby Disney isn't liable at that point.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Ask your doctor.
But it's most likely advised that pregnant women not go on due to the fact that those two attractions can be bumpy/jerky.

 

[Lupeix]

I was 5 months pregnant in my trip 2 years ago. My OB gave me this rule before I left: If a 3 year old can do it so can you (assuming you have a healthy pregnancy). I think mostly everything with a height restriction is out by that rule. I did not listen to my OB and rode 7DMT. That was a bad idea. The restraint hit my belly and I was uncomfortable to whole ride. I didn't do Kali river rapids after that. I rode Killimanjaro safari and it was fine. No one asked me anything when I got on and I was definitely showing. I think a ride in my car on a not so good road can be bumpier. There's a reason why the safari does not have a height restriction and Kali does. There's a lot more potential movement than in the safari plus a restraint.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

I was 5 months pregnant in my trip 2 years ago. My OB gave me this rule before I left: If a 3 year old can do it so can you (assuming you have a healthy pregnancy). I think mostly everything with a height restriction is out by that rule. I did not listen to my OB and rode 7DMT. That was a bad idea. The restraint hit my belly and I was uncomfortable to whole ride. I didn't do Kali river rapids after that. I rode Killimanjaro safari and it was fine. No one asked me anything when I got on and I was definitely showing. I think a ride in my car on a not so good road can be bumpier. There's a reason why the safari does not have a height restriction and Kali does. There's a lot more potential movement than in the safari plus a restraint.

Personally I would not have gone by that "rule".
My one niece was 40" at 2yrs4mos and road TT, Soarin', Splash Mountain, and TOT that trip.
My thought is that if your doctor is not familiar with Disney rides then just go by the recommendations of Disney to not ride X, Y, and Z if you are expecting.

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

The second trimester is generally seen as the safest trimester for many things. In the 1st there's a greater risk of miscarriage as well as of course, the ever-so-lovely nausea. The third trimester runs the risk of early labor. For something like the Safari, I personally would have done it in the 2nd trimester and possibly the beginning of the third. I probably would not have tried anything with a drop (such as splash or tot) or any of the coasters. Also wouldn't have done carousel or teapots, but I can't do those not pregnant either. My reason for not doing anything with a drop is 1) if I go up in the seat, my belly is going to hit that lap bar and 2) that momentary weightless feeling- while awesome when not pregnant doesn't sound too great when pregnant and feeling out of sorts. I flew when I was 20 weeks (actually didn't know I was pregnant until a week later), and the descent had me feeling sooo crappy. I was actually still feeling terrible a week later and thought I had the flu, which was when I went to the doc and found out I was pregnant.

For what it's worth, I rode as a passenger on a motorcycle at 32 weeks and went on the family raft water slide (no big drops) at a local water park from around 24 weeks until 34 weeks with no issue. Also went in hot tubs fairly regularly throughout both pregnancies (with doc's approval). Obviously every pregnancy is different, but just thought I'd share.

 

[Mousemommy1]

You should definitely ask your doctor. Mine was fine with me going on any ride that infants could go on. That included Kilimanjaro Safari (my OB was familiar with the ride). I was 5 months pregnant and I will tell you, I regretted riding it. I felt very crampy afterwards and worried for the rest of my trip. It's a lot bumpier than I had remembered, LOL.

I mean, DS turned out just fine, but I just wished I hadn't ridden it.

 

[Crystal824]

I rode Kilimanjaro Safari when I was pregnant with my oldest and my youngest. I was definitely showing the first time I was about 28 weeks when we went. I was only about 13 weeks with my youngest so I wasn't yet showing then. I was fine both times. Ask to sit in the front row as it is less bumpy.

I wouldn't do Kali though.

 

[Tink_83]

You should definitely ask your doctor. Mine was fine with me going on any ride that infants could go on. That included Kilimanjaro Safari (my OB was familiar with the ride). I was 5 months pregnant and I will tell you, I regretted riding it. I felt very crampy afterwards and worried for the rest of my trip. It's a lot bumpier than I had remembered, LOL.

I mean, DS turned out just fine, but I just wished I hadn't ridden it.

This is a great example of how even doctors will differ, my doctor gave me the canned response of follow the signs and yours knew the rides so gave you more personalized recommendations (it's my second; I'm 15 weeks right now and don't even look pregnant and it's an uncomplicated pregnancy so really no reason the recommendations should be different expect my doctor either doesn't know the rides or didn't want any risk of liability both of which I can understand).

For the OP you have to decide what your comfort level is with any associated risks. Anyway, if you don't go on either of the rides (or maybe the Safari but not the raft one) then try to do something that is special for you so it's not you giving up something but you getting a different Disney experience that you normally wouldn't get to have. Trying to put a positive spin on it may help, I know it helped me get over my disappointment. Good luck!

 

[wilkeliza]

This is a great example of how even doctors will differ, my doctor gave me the canned response of follow the signs and yours knew the rides so gave you more personalized recommendations (it's my second; I'm 15 weeks right now and don't even look pregnant and it's an uncomplicated pregnancy so really no reason the recommendations should be different expect my doctor either doesn't know the rides or didn't want any risk of liability both of which I can understand).

For the OP you have to decide what your comfort level is with any associated risks. Anyway, if you don't go on either of the rides (or maybe the Safari but not the raft one) then try to do something that is special for you so it's not you giving up something but you getting a different Disney experience that you normally wouldn't get to have. Trying to put a positive spin on it may help, I know it helped me get over my disappointment. Good luck!

I'm not sure where both of you are from but I've always found the recommendations so drastic depending on the doctor and country. I have a few European friends who laugh at the idea of having no alcohol in pregnancy. They are still fine with 1 glass of wine. My own sister in law who is an OBGYN says all the research shows 1 glass of wine or beer isn't going to hurt anything it is just over consumption but telling people 8 ounces is much harder to manage then just saying none. Same for sushi. Raw fish and sushi is perfectly fine during pregnancy in Japan but here in the US it is one of those big don't do it warnings. Just odd how different it is based on where and who is the one giving the answers.

 

[Tink_83]

I'm not sure where both of you are from but I've always found the recommendations so drastic depending on the doctor and country. I have a few European friends who laugh at the idea of having no alcohol in pregnancy. They are still fine with 1 glass of wine. My own sister in law who is an OBGYN says all the research shows 1 glass of wine or beer isn't going to hurt anything it is just over consumption but telling people 8 ounces is much harder to manage then just saying none. Same for sushi. Raw fish and sushi is perfectly fine during pregnancy in Japan but here in the US it is one of those big don't do it warnings. Just odd how different it is based on where and who is the one giving the answers.

I'm from the US and yes I agree with you the recommendations in the US are extreme and vary by doctor (my first OB with my first child told me I could have a glass of wine with a meal, for instance - I've since moved or I would have gone to her for this pregnancy), the problem with the OP specific question of theme park rides is that the data is not available so an objective decision is hard to make, IMO. With drinking you can find good studies out of Europe and Australia that show you can have a glass of wine with no impact. I've had a hard time finding the evidence that would make me feel comfortable with the risks associated with placenta abruption at 21 weeks (when I'll be at Disney; I've been looking for studies related to low speed car accidents since I figured that would approximate or be worse than a hard stop on most rides- if anyone knows of any good ones please feel free to post!). I've decided to stop short of subscribing to medical journals to research the topic and the information available on-line is limited. Regardless, not having access to Disney's internal research on the rides nor other good studies I personally don't feel comfortable making decisions against those recommends (that's my personal opinion though).

 

[Sabathamk]

Thanks so much for all the advice. I will definitely be talking to my doc, but he's very laid back and usually says to just do what I'm comfortable with and not do what I'm not comfortable with. I'm from Canada. I've had very low risk pregnancies (my last one I had zero symptoms except a little nausea in the beginning and an expanding belly). Hot tubs are fine as well, just not to stay in too long. I will NOT be doing any spinning rides as I know I won't do well with those already (I get sick on things like the teacups when not pregnant), and I already don't want to do the roller coasters. Too bad about Kali, though. My husband will have to do that one with the kids (but he's done it before and is perfectly fine with it, so that is good. The roller coasters might take some convincing). I already figure we might separate a little, me taking the youngest two (who are too small for a lot of things) to do something for them, and him with the oldest two for the other rides the others cannot go on. That is assuming we can go. Still waiting for the person we asked to work during that time to say they will do it. Otherwise we're shuck-outta-luck... no vacation again for a year or more. This waiting game makes planning things difficult. NOT easy for a 'ducks-in-a-row' type. Especially since we want to start driving in about 3 weeks. AAAH! I'll only be 14 weeks when we get there. Thankfully, no real morning sickness for me yet.

Congrats, Tink_83, on your pregnancy! Sounds like you are a fellow research-a-holic. I could spend hours online researching everything, haha. I hope you have a fantastic trip!

 

[DisneyWife2015]

I was 26 wks last year when we visited and I did anything without a height restriction (including safari). I was in the back row and it was bumpy but I've been on it before and knew when to expect the big jostle. It was fine. No issues. No one asked me or said anything about it. Kali I wasn't comfortable riding because the first year I was on it, it had issues and we got stuck for a while. I didn't want to take that chance. Plus the jostling is more unpredictable. Take lots of water and don't be shy to ask the QSR for water too. I was usually given two cups when I asked even though they are supposed to only give one. I was drinking for two. Have fun!

 

[Lupeix]

For the record my OB was very familiar with the parks and had gone while pregnant. She did say the 3 year old rule was assuming the kid was not a giant LOL. I did miss going to Kali, watched on the bridge while everyone did it. Then last year I was really exited to go and DS decided it was too scary to ride right before we got on! I hope you have a great trip.

 

[buzzrelly]

I did the safari when I was about 8 weeks pregnant, but I worried the whole time. I don't think I would do it entering my second trimester, since your placenta is so much bigger and there really is a chance of an abruption (that's why moms who fall get monitored on L & D for 24 hours, even if they fall on their butts). And I definitely wouldn't do Kali. I think the bumpiness of the ride probably isn't good for a pregnant mom, that and putting you and your fetus in a high risk situation. We have all heard crazy stories about rafts flipping, etc. I just wouldn't do it. Go play with the squirt guns while the family rides. Or find a shady spot to sit and get off your feet for a bit.

And no OB worth their grain in salt would tell you that it's okay so I wouldn't even bother asking.

 

[jessbee25]

I rode the safari at 28 weeks pregnant with no issue. It's definitely not as bumpy in the front, I sat right behind the cast member and thought it was fine. I avoided anything with a lap bar, I had a pretty big belly at that point! Otherwise I probably would've gone on Splash Mountain despite the drop.

 

[Hessie628]

Hi! Congrats! I actually called Disney about this a couple weeks ago. I talked for quite awhile with a cast member about rides that would be safe. Of course I'd check with your Ob, but here is what she told me:
Safe rides:
Frozen
Soarin
Imagination
(I'm assuming Spaceship Earth as well although I didn't ask because that's too long in the dark for DD 3)
Toy Story
Peter Pan
Pirates
Dumbo
Jungle Cruise
Haunted Mansion
Winnie the Pooh
Kilimanjaro Safari (I specifically asked about this one.)

Not recommended/not safe:
Test Track
Mission Space
Tower of Terror
Star Tours
Rock n Rollercoaster
7 Dwarfs
Splash Mtn.
Space Mtn.
Thunder Mtn.
Dinosaur
Kali River Rapids (She said because of the bumping that can happen.)

I hope this helps a little. The CM I talked with was double checking on specific rides I asked about. I'm not sure if she was using the description or if they have something in the computer system about pregnancy. I didn't think to ask.

 

[Sabathamk]

Hessie628, thank you so much! That is fantastic! Thanks for putting that here for us as well!

 

[Tink_83]

You can also go to the WDW website and search under the rides and filter under accessibility and advisories by expectant mother. That way as they add rides and/or update the advisories you can know before your trip.