Pregnant @ WDW

[The Sorrentino's]

I must say that this has got to be the worst, god-awful pregnancy for me in regards to symptoms. I am constantly nauseous, hot, tired, cranky, slow and I am gaining weight like crazy. I never had one symptom with my other four. If my entire pregnancy is to be this way how am I supposed to have fun on vacation? I have a feeling I will a big, hot, cranky mess out there and my family will hate me. My husband is aware of my changes and is afraid to comment on it. I try not to talk much now or something will come out that will hurt someone's feelings. I talked to my doctor and he said that's how it is sometimes and that I have to pace myself (what do we pay him for?). My kids try to make things better for me, but I just need my space (get out of my way).

How do I prepare for a stenuous Disney vacation (I've been told over and over again about lots of walking and waiting and people)? I will be around 8 months pregnant at the time we go. I really do not want to ruin this trip for my kids. Any tips?!

Cadence

 

[KirstenB]

I just wanted to let you know that I too try to watch what I say when I'm pregnant. Although this is only my 2nd pregnancy (33 weeks along), both times have been very hard on me mentally. I know I react differently to things, so I just oftentimes clam up around dh and dd.

I haven't been to WDW while very far along in my pregnancy, but we just returned from Busch Gardens, where we have season passes. It's hot, and dh knows that sometimes I'll ask him to go on rides with dd while I wait. I didn't drink too much in the park, cause I didn't want to live in the bathroom, but one tip would be to immediately rehydrate when you leave the park. A couple of weeks ago I was cutting the grass, doing yardwork, just a busy day. I had the worst stomach cramps--thought I was in preterm labor. I drank 3 big glasses of water and an hour later felt much better. Make sure you don't overdo walking, etc. FWIW, I have gained about 10 more lbs with this pregnancy, but remember when you get to the last trimester, you generally feel full all the time--baby takes up most of the room. So don't beat yourself up about gaining weight. Best of luck.

 

[crazymomof4]

I feel for you! Each pregancy is a crap-shoot....they are all different. Some women ONLY have horrible pregancies. They are the ones w/ only 1 or 2 kids. Can you blame them.
As far as advice: I was nauseous constantly with DD4. I found that lemon drops eased it. Those motion sickness wrist bands help somewhat. The old stand-by of eating small, frequent meals is very true. Do not allow your stomach to get completely empty.

Don't expect your stamina to be up to par at 8 months. Plan to pace yourself and take breaks. This doesn't mean that your kids will have to give anything up. DH can take them on rides/attractions that you cannot go on while you sit on a bench and breathe in and enjoy all essence of Disney. Really, having spent time on benches when we went with babies, you CAN enjoy your rest time and not feel left out. Sittting there you notice things around you that you normally would have walked right by. Remember, too, that you will be getting sit-down time on the rides and attractions themselves. Disney is not so much of a go-go-go place as it is a go-stop-go-stop place.

As far as your crankiness, hopefully the influence of the hormones will level off by 8 months and you will be not so touchy. Being in Disney should lift your spirits!!

On a positive note, you will enjoy this baby so much! Things are SO different when your kids are old enough to appreciate the newborn and even be mommy's helpers. Watching them interact with the baby is such a joy! I found that our last two were more of the "family's babies", than the babies of just DH and I.

Best wishes.

 

[PoohBearLovinMama]

First of all, congratulations on your pregnancy! I do hope that your symptoms get better. I was pretty surprised how different this pregnancy is than with my first Dd.

But, boy, am I glad to see that I'm not the only one planning a trip to WDW when 8 mos pregnant! Most people look at me like I'm completely out of my mind when I tell them I'm going.

Anyway, I had a friend who went when she was 7 or 8 mos along with both of her pregnancies. The advice she gave me was to drink plenty of fluids, you don't want to dehydrate yourself. And to take plenty of rest breaks, even walk around the shops to get out of the heat. It looks like you'll be going in Oct (?) so maybe it won't be as hot and humid when you're there. If I find any other helpful tips after my trip, I'll be sure to let you know!

 

[Nicolepa]

I feel for you! Each pregancy is a crap-shoot....they are all different. Some women ONLY have horrible pregancies. They are the ones w/ only 1 or 2 kids. Can you blame them.

Me! Me! Poor dh would love a 3rd possibly a 4th but I told him no way they are coming from this body! With my first I threw up all the way to delivery. My 2nd I went to the ER because I couldn't stop throwing up. Not to mention everything else I hated about being pg!

Maybe you could consider renting one of those scooters while you are there? My MIL wanted to rent me a wheelchair but I felt it was too much to push a baby and have someone push me. We were there at Christmas so it wasn't hot. October will be warm, but bearable.

You will have to just take lots of breaks. Maybe you send the family on a couple of rides while you rest on a bench or getting a snack and meet up with them. You will have to go at a lot slower pace, but you will still have lots of fun.

 

[SnowWhite]

I can't say that I envy you Cadence but I know with my first pregnancy that I was throwing up for 4 1/2 months but after that I felt fine! My second I was never sick at all. You never know, you may be feeling great then and if not just takes lots of breaks and drink lots of water (if your bladder can handle it!) Hope you start feeling better, I love having babies but I HATE being pregnant!!!

See you at Disney!!! Carol

 

[all4fun]

No tips from me, just a link to Tips for expectant moms-to-be on allearsnet.com.

Congrats on the pregnancy. I hope it's a very healthy one!

Cheryl

 

[teresajoy]

We went to Disney when I was 7 1/2 months prengnant with my oldest daughter (she's 7 now). I would say to do what everyone else has been saying, take it easy, drink your water, try to stay cool. But, what I found is that I got a completely different Disney experience. Since I couldn't go on most of the rides, I got to actually enjoy the scenery and all of the little things that we often miss by rushing from one place to the next. I joked afterwards that it was pretty sad when the most exciting thing I went on at Disney was the People Mover (shows how old I am, I still call it that!) but I really had a good time.

Congratulations!

 

[NoWorriesMate]

a lot of your symptoms could be worse due to the stress involved in moving etc. you may find when your life is more settled and the stresss levels lower the symtoms will decrease.

i moved in the middle of my second pregnancy and experinced a reoccurance of nausia, fatigue and an extreme lack of humor!

when you got to WDW if you follow the sensible tips re:fluids and rest and just let the moving stress flow away you may find you feel far better.
perhars even let DH take the kids sometimes and sit by the pool or as suggested just sit in the parks and do some people watching.

good luck and have a great holiday

 

[nem75]

I went to Sea World while 7 1/2 months pregnant with my fifth. I echo the thoughts of plenty of fluids throughout the day, a mid afternoon nap/break is beneficial. I found the hardest was walking around the last 2 hours, I really regretted not getting a wheelchair or ECV, so dont feel weird about asking for one even just to get from one end of the parks to another, esp around the world showcase.

As far as emotions go, eat plenty of Mickey bars, that should help out somewhat.

I have 5 wonderful kids and it is so much fun being a large family, as you already know. Good luck and njoy this special surprise

Christy

 

[rt2dz]

I'm at the end of my 3rd pregnancy, and it is by far the best one yet. And I still suffer from morning sickness all day long, am putting on far more weight than I can figure out how for (I watch what I eat very carefully when pregnant & nursing since it is more for my baby's sake), can barely breathe half the time, am way beyond exhausted, have major back pain, dizziness & small black-outs do to the way the baby is hitting my nerves, and I could go on (like about popping veins) but that would take way too much time.

All I can tell you is that it is just deciding to make the best of it, watch your tounge, and having a patient DH (and hopefully kids) helps tremendiously too. Nine months is a relatively short time (why I have more than 1 or 2, still planning another yet ) and you can decide to just go with it or give into it letting it beat you. Of course, I know no good pregnancy--I HATE being pregnant!! With most people the horrible parts pass--there is hope for you.

NOTE--With all my pregnancies, I was travel restricted because of my issues by 7.5 months though. Talk to your OB about 8 months travel NOW.

I posted some pregnancy tips at WDW on this board a couple of days ago, you might want to do a search for it. There are some other great hints that others posted also.

 

[CouponCon]

I know I sound like everyone else but drink and rest alot.
From reading your other thread it sounds like you have a wonderful support system. I am sure you and your family will have a great time. Just be sure you inform your OB Doc of your plans. With my last one I put on so much weight and it turned out to be fluid. It drove my blood pressure up and made me tired but unable to sleep, and cranky. Don't worry everyone forgave me.

 

[deejohn]

During our last Disney trip, my wife was 5 months along with #4 in the hot May sun and did OK. After the 1st trimester, she was back to her old self, excpt for the weight gain and general uncomfortableness. I made sure that we did not over do any day's activity to reduce the strain on her. We also split the kids up when we could, with me going on the rides with the little ones, and letting the older ones go on by themselves with her waiting by the exit.

Overall, we had a good time, although she did find the airplane seat a little small, which she never experienced before.

Good luck, you will really enjoy Disney in October.

 

[crisi]

NOTE--With all my pregnancies, I was travel restricted because of my issues by 7.5 months though. Talk to your OB about 8 months travel NOW.

three words....partial bed rest

oh, a fourth to explain the first three....toxemia

Candence, no real advice except to take it easy. Plan your days for early mornings and late afternoons evenings, with lots of pool time for the kids (while you sit in a lounge chair) mid afternoons. It can still be pretty darn hot in October. Don't be afraid to turn your kids over to your husband while you enjoy the resort if you feel really tired and cranky.

 

[madge]

No tips from me, just a link to Tips for expectant moms-to-be on allearsnet.com.

Congrats on the pregnancy. I hope it's a very healthy one!

Cheryl

That section on Deb's site is great (I'm quoted on that page )

I echo the concern about checking with the OB about travel at 8 months, expecially with baby #5. How fast do your labors usually go?

As far as enjoying WDW--take your time, drink lots of water, and have a great time!!!

 

[The Sorrentino's]

When I was pregnant with my second child I developed high blood pressure when I was around six months along and that caused me to live in the hospital for about two months. My first, third and fourth were a breeze. I do plan on doing half days at each park (I only have four planned), one day at DTD and I plan on lounging at the pool as well. I have never been on vacation pregnant before, I've always been home. The only places I went was Martha's Vineyard and Niagara Falls, Canada and those were for like three nights on small resorts.

Cadence

 

[SueM in MN]

Besides checking with your doctor about traveling, check with the airline if you plan to fly. They may have restrictions or requirements (like a doctor certificate that says you are OK to travel) for women flying that late in pregnancy.