Pregnant in WDW...help!!

[rileysmommy]

Just found out that I am pregnant. Wahoo!!!!! Been trying for a long time so we are very excited about it. But...we are going to WDW in August and I will be about 8 months pregnant. Suggestions, tips, anyone? Any and all ideas are very welcome and much appreciated!! Thanks so much!!

 

[dmaz]

I found out a week after I booked. I'll only be 4 mos though. There's a lot of info out there on what rides you can go on.
As long as you take it easy you should be fine.
When I was pregnant with my DS I walked around our local six flags throughout my 8th month and it was great exercise.
Congratulations and best of luck!

 

[CarolinaBlue]

Congratulations! I was 4 months pregnant on my first trip to WDW (1990). Just remember to take lots of breaks and drink plenty of water. No bumpy or jerky rides!

 

[senecabeach]

First ...Congrads !! My daughter is pregnant, with her 1st, @ 38 yrs. old and the family is soooo excited.
We were @ WDW in Dec when she was 4 mos. and had a great trip.

IMHO.....8 mos. pregnant in (very) hot and humid August Florida sun...really dont mix!

I would suggest changing the month...go sooner!!

 

[alloyd1170]

Congrats, but going at 8 months and in August? If I were you, Id go earlier (when its still cool and not crowded), or postpone the trip. I know last time when I was 8 months pregnant I was miserably uncomfortable. Thankfully it was winter. My husband had the heat on high in the car while wearing a heavy coat, and I sat there in a tee shirt with my head out the window trying to keep cool!

I just came back from WDW and Im only 3 months pregnant. I actually got around better this time than during our last trip with our 2 yr old. I think thats because when my husband and others wanted to go on the big rides, I sat and waited with my son, and we both got a break (he napped, I relaxed). Be sure to drink lots of water and snack throughout the day. If possible, sit until the last minute before getting into a line since standing for long periods is not fun! Who knows, you may feel great at 8 months! I am due in July and I dont think I will be setting foot outside much once the weather gets hot and humid (usually around April/May here in SC)! Good luck!

alison

 

[ADisneygirl]

20 years ago we took a trip from New York down here to WDW. It was the first trip to Disney that my husband and I took as a couple. It was April and I was 7 1/2 month's pregnant. I had been to WDW before, but as a kid. Well, my ankles swelled a little on the plane and when we got here in this heat they got worse. Yes, April in Florida is warm ~ upper 80's - low 90's. (August is even more humid and 90's)

Anyhow, the next day we went to WDW and after a few hours I was exhausted. My husband wanted to rent a chair for me since my ankles were so bad and I was so hot. I was being stubborn and refused to sit in a wheelchair. I was 20 years old and thought that "of course I can walk around ~ I don't need a wheelchair!" My husband had to buy me a pair of chinese slippers because my sandals were hurting so much. I wear a size 8 woman's but had to buy men's because of the swelling!

We still had fun and it gives me a funny story to tell now years later.

My advice: drink plenty of water, sit and rest sometimes, and if the heat is too much (and the heat feels worse when you are pregnant) get into an air conditioned area and stay awhile. If you need to ride in the wheelchair, do it. Don't be stubborn like I was.

 

[lovmy2girls]

If you can I also suggest going earlier. August is so hot and the parks seem to be even hotter.

 

[Carrieberry]

If you have to go in August I would suggest getting a mister fan and really comfy shoes. Maybe even shoes in a size bigger than what you wear normally in case your feet swell, which they proabably will. I went with a 2 year old and I was 5 months pregnant. Take afternoon breaks to nap and swim! Swimming saved me! Even if i just sat there it was wonderful! Go to bed early and take advantage of EE so it won't be so crowded when you are in the parks. Don't underestimate how large you will be at 8 months.You will be big and probably clumsy so watch your footing very carefully. If you feel you need it rent a wheel chair. Take lots of breaks in the parks to sit and plan on at least one sit down meal a day to relax and enjoy the airconditioning! Stay at a hotel that is closest to your favorite park to eliminate bus rides. Oh yeah this is very important: if you get on a bus (unless it is one of the brand new ones) do NOT sit on the very back row of seats. The engine is right under those seats or something and they get VERY hot. I made this mistake and it was the worst 30 minutes of my life and raised my body temp probably 10 degrees on a hot humid day. VERY DANGEROUS FOR BABY! I was so hot that the skin on my rear was super hot to the touch!

 

[tmfranlk]

Do you mind one more advisory to changing the date if possible? Also, I would check with your doctor now just in case she wants/needs to put any restrictions on you at that point. I went in Dec. '02 at 7 1/2 months. The trip was already set when I found out I was pregnant. When I asked my doctor, she said that I could go if everything was going well, but that was the absolute latest. Any later, and I would have had to move/cancel the trip. As it was, I ended up renting an ECV due my difficulty in walking/standing for long periods of time.

That said, it was wonderful! I would second everyone's advice about hydration and taking it easy in the heat of August. Take breaks often throughout the day, even if that means just sitting on a bench in the shade for 15 minutes. I would also suggest keeping snacks in your bag. By that stage I was unable to eat a lot at one time, but needed to eat often. Keeping some snacks on hand kept me from constantly waiting in line at snack stands.

There are so many rides that you can do. For me, I barely even missed the things that I couldn't ride because there was still so much to do.

Good luck and happy pregnancy. PM me if you ever have any specific questions that you'd like to ask.

 

[krystyana]

One more consideration....Are you flying or driving? Some airlines won't allow travel in late pregnancy and driving that long of a distance could cause complications (ie blood clots, etc.) without frequent stops and rest breaks built in. Not trying to be a downer....just cautious....I'd try to go earlier if I could, but have a great trip either way! Congratulations and best wishes!

 

[DisneyPhD]

Hi there, congradluations!!!

I am another voice of experience saying "if at all possible go at a different time." 8 months pregnant and Aug at WDW doesn't mix.

I have been to WDW pregnant 3 times (2 pregnancies)

1st one was 32 weeks pregnant, it was 1st week of Febuary 2001, baby was born on her due date March 29. All went well, it was a great trip. I felt the best I did the whole pregnany. I am so glad we went. My Dr. supported it fully, however after 35 weeks travel is discruaged or even forbidin.

2nd pregnacy the 1st trip I was only 8 weeks (about a year ago now) and we had planned the trip before the pregnacy. We also took another trip in May 2004 (but we really only went to Vero Beach and DTD, not the parks) but it was a great time. I was 26 weeks and it was one of the best vacations ever. Far enough along to stop being sick, but not that big yet (or at least not nearly as big as I was going to get, Baby was born Aug 3rd.) The weather was just wonderful in May.

We went Aug 2003 and decided never to go back in Aug again. Not only the heat but the rain was terrible. Last Aug was all the hurricanes. Rethink Aug if you can. May would be great, or early June if you can.

So here is my recomondation, go, take one (or even two) last vacations before the baby comes. There is a ton you can do at WDW pregnant. But if there is any way possible go at a different time, and don't go after 35 weeks. When I went at 32 weeks I don't think any later then that would be good (techically I had started the 8th month, out of 10)

Best of Luck!

 

[alloyd1170]

Also, keep in mind that at 8 months you might be huge and unable to fit in some rides. The last thing you want is to have a safety bar resting on your belly! Plus, some of the rides can be tricky to get out of when youre not preggo (meaning they are constantly moving) and since you wont be able to see your feet, it would be dangerous. If you do decide to go at any point, be sure to get a copy of your records to carry with you just in case something happens. At 8 months, you run the risk of going into early labor too, something to keep in mind. Id hate to be away from home without my dr and go into labor! Ive seen this happen to women who are traveling far from home and they end up having to stay in the hospital for over a month until its safe to deliver.

alison

 

[goofy4wdw2]

DisneyPhD- I am glad to hear about your trip in May at 26 weeks. We have a trip planned in mid-May and I will be 26 weeks. We can't go sooner than April, and we figured June would be too hot and crowded, plus I'd be further along, so it's good to know we chose well!

 

[DisneyPhD]

I think May is a great time, so much so that we are doing it again this May (even though we will be there the end of Feb/March too.) Infact we will be at WDW at least one day in each month, Feb, March, April, May 2005 in 2 trips. Rather nuts really. We will be there the 1st week of May so we will be coming home about when you get there. Keep in mind the 5,5,05 celebration for DL will be at WDW during that time too, so it might be busy. (we will be at WDW 1st half of week, VB after May 4th.) School is still in mid may so that should work good for you too.

Have a great week and I hope it goes well. Enjoy yourself.