Pregnancy question

[sjedelen]

My wife and I are trying to plan a cruise in January. The cruise we are looking at, my wife will be 23 weeks pregnant. I know the policy about 24 weeks, and am wondering if we will need a note from her physician to prove that she is only 23 weeks pregnant or will they believe us. Thanks.

 

[justcruisin]

That is a tough one. I would definitely bring a note, though they have the right to refuse travel even with the note. Give DCL a call, it may help to get the name of the person you speak with.
Good luck

 

[disneyatheart]

Hi- we went on the Disney Wonder Cruise last July when I was 23 weeks pregnant too. I had to-twice have a written note from my physician stating how many weeks I was pregnant and the expected date of birth. The first letter was required when I book the cruise and then approximately 2 weeks prior to our vacation I received a phone call from Disney Cruise Line requesting another letter-updated. And yes, they can refuse to let you sail. Because of this, we did purchase travel insurance-just in case.

I was also told that depending on how pregnant you look-that you may want to keep a copy of the letter with you in case some one questions you.

Best of luck and have fun!!

 

[Deb & Bill]

They do not have medical facilities for prematurely born babies, let alone any new born babies on the ship. You don't want to risk your child begin born on board ship if you can help it. And if your wife needs emergency medical assistance in these stages of her pregnancy, it might take too much time to get her the help she needs.

 

[bwtk]

Congratulations.

My best advice--discuss this with your wife's obstetrician.

It seems to me that there are several questions to be asked:
1. How is your wife's health? Certainly if she has a number of medical problems such as diabetes then you would have to ask yourself if this is worth the risk.
2. Which cruise are you going on? There is a big difference between a three day cruise and a seven day. Besides the time difference, you could end up in a locale in which the standard of medical care is significantly different than that in the U.S.
3. What is the risk of premature labor? This would be a worse case scenario; the availability of prompt medical care would be the most important issue.

Life involves many choices between risks and benefits. With some thoughtful planning, I'm sure you'll make the best choice for you and your wife.

Best wishes to you and your family.

 

[nurseb]

My husband, who is an OB/GYN, and I were on a cruise 10 years ago. The captain asked my husband to see a passanger who had been taken off the ship in St. Lucia. The passanger was 23 weeks pregnant and bleeding. (had been an uncomplicated pregnancy to this point) My husband was shocked when he arrived at the "hospital". He said it was like the hospital scenes in "Gone with the Wind". There was no equipment available to evaluate either the mother or the fetus. Things we take for granted here, Ultasound machines, blood tests, monitors, are non existant. The passanger ended up being flown (by medical transport) to San Juan and then on to Miami. They called us several weeks later to say they had delievered a healthy, yet premature infant.
My guess is Disney limits the gestational age to 24 weeks because with state of the art medical care, a 24 week infant has a chance at survival. Trust me...this type of medical care is not available in the Caribbean.
Having worked in obstertrics for the past 18 years I know that even an uncomplicated pregnancy can get complicated ....

 

[markmyboy]

i cruised last year when i was 15 weeks & 20 weeks & luckily all went well....a nice RELAXING vacation for a pregnant woman (even with my 3 year old!)

You (or your travel agent) will need to call DCL & request the medical release form. It must be signed by your wife's OB with the EDD listed & I would just make a copy to bring with you for check-in...i never needed it...but it was nice not to have to worry.

there are also certain spa treatments that PG women are not allowed to have, but I still got to enjoy the spa!! Other than that the cruise was an awesome treat!! enjoy & much luck with "your" pregnancy!!

 

[Karenj2]

Not to be a downer, but...

My coworker just went on a cruise (Non-Disney) when she was about 25 - 26 weeks PG, and two days after she got back, she was in the hospital with premature labor. Luckily they got it stopped, and after a week of bedrest she was allowed to go "back to normal".

Now, I can't say that her premature labor & going on the cruise have anything to do with each other - but do you REALLY want to chance it?

(BTW - her pregnancy was fine up to that point)