Pregnant wife and swollen feet in WDW

[baldy6060]

My wife will be about 7 and a half months pregnant when we go to WDW next week. She's having some issues with feet swelling. We have talked to her dr. He supports the trip and we've taken a lot of precautions and done a lot of preparing for anything and everything. I even have baby stations and some benches I learned about from my "Disney Bible" (Unofficial Guide) mapped out. I am just wondering if there are any places you all can think of where she can put her feet up if need be (we are planning for midday breaks and such). Any lesser known benches or seating areas she can stretch out? A/C is a bonus but not necessary. I understand if you don't want the world knowing about your "secret spots" but any info would be greatly appreciated. (And if you have any footwear suggestions, that would be awesome too)

 

[AllieBoo]

In the MK, there are a few benches in shady spots in Frontierland (near Tom Sawyer Island).

As far as footwear - I love Teva Mush sandals. They are super comfy! I wore them on our last trip and my feet never hurt (I wasn't pregnant though).

Good luck and have fun!

 

[antree]

I was 6.5 months pregnant in Disney. My feet did most of the swelling at night when I laid down. So I slept with pillows under my feet at night. During the day if needed you can go to the Baby Stations/First Aid at ea park, they are air conditioned and have rockers. I am sure they wouldn't mind you taking a little break there if needed.

Any of the counter services you go to will be in doors so take a long break and relax and eat. I would put my feet up on the chairs and just relax during lunch, or even to have a drink.

It wasn't at all as bad as I thought it would have been. we went in Oct when the heat was still in the 90's that yr.

Croc shoes do wonders for me.
Carry a small container of baby powder to the parks. It was a great, when I got to hot, I'd go in the bathroom wash up and then powder up and it was refreshing. I did it a few times a day. She can always go in to the stall for more privacy.
Make sure she has a lot of tank tops and hair pulled back, and even consider getting a misting fan.

Have fun!

 

[Princessmom2]

The baby stations are great-she can prop up her feet and get cool. and Epcot has benches all throughout the countries, so you can stop and people watch at any time.

Birkenstocks, even though rather ugly, are very supportive and straps can be adjusted as need be for her feet. The "soft" sole ones are much more comfy. She will need good support.

 

[2009CAN]

With my first PG I had horribly swollen feet ... I went up THREE sizes. I feel for her.
Any time you're eating, try to have her put her feet UP, even if it's on your lap while you sit across from her.
If you need a break, maybe take the train around the park and have her put her feet up. If you're going back to the resort, stack as many pillows under her ankles as you can.

Really, short of being off your feet, there's not a whole lot you can do. By the time I was 6.5 months PG the swelling was 24/7 and didn't go down over night. I ended up delivering two months early due to severe & sudden preeclampsia so keep an eye on her.

 

[Leeanne]

Not sure about benches but what about rides?? The TTA in MK we will get on and "loop". Just ask the CM and they always let us stay on several times. We always set facing forward and prop my foot up on the seat. And it is always cool!
I think Ellen's energy may be a good one as well. I think (it's been a while) you could probably put your feet up as well.
Maybe the train to Rafaiki Planet? Not sure about propping up however.
I fell down a flight of stairs and have a foot that swells constantly. My DH will "force" the fluid using massage type rubbing. It may be a foot rub at the end of day with some lotion that would be a thumbs up!!

 

[Lilliputian]

Putting her feet UP is very important. Walking is actually pretty good for her (within reason). Standing isn't so good. Sitting the regular way with her feet on the ground is about the worse thing she can do.

I would strongly encourage her to find a way to elevate her feet each time she sits. That will mean that benches aren't so great. Chairs are better because she can put her feet on a nearby chair or something.

If she absolutely can't get her feet elevated while sitting, she should try to sit with her legs crossed (Indian style) in the chair.

Fresh lemon juice is good at flushing out the toxins that cause swelling. If she can carry cut lemon wedges with her and squeeze them into her water, it will help significantly. 2 lemons a day is a good goal. Cucumbers and watermelon are also very good. You can get all of those at a grocery store on your way to your hotel. Just carry a small cutting board and paring knife in checked luggage. You'll want to buy watermelon already cut up, but it's in season, so that won't be hard. Making sure she salts her food to taste is important, too. For most people, too much salt causes swelling, but pregnant ladies have 1/3 more blood volume than regular people, and it's important to have enough salt for all that extra blood.

 

[thefigueroas]

Take her to a waterpark. I was 6 months pregnant when we went and about halfway through our trip my husband took me to Typhoon Lagoon where I floated in the lazy river for probably 3-4 hours. It was HEAVEN! It really helped get me through the rest of the week. I even tried to talk him into going to Blizzard Beach on another day. Good luck!

 

[wishiwereindisney]

for footwear i second crocs - they were all i could get on my feet when i was super swollen.

 

[Gracie09]

With my first PG I had horribly swollen feet ... I went up THREE sizes. I feel for her.
Any time you're eating, try to have her put her feet UP, even if it's on your lap while you sit across from her.
If you need a break, maybe take the train around the park and have her put her feet up. If you're going back to the resort, stack as many pillows under her ankles as you can.

Really, short of being off your feet, there's not a whole lot you can do. By the time I was 6.5 months PG the swelling was 24/7 and didn't go down over night. I ended up delivering two months early due to severe & sudden preeclampsia so keep an eye on her.

This is where my mind went. I had severe pre-e and hellp syndrome and came within hours of dying. Swollen feet were my first sign. Make sure she knows the signs to look for. Headaches, floaters in front of te eyes, pain under you right rib (mine felt like severe heartburn and no one told me that could be it even after I was on bed rest) etc. anyway, drink tons of water, tons. It helps flush out everything. Watch salt intake. Whenever she can sit she should even if its just a couple minutes.

 

[Dreamer & Wisher]

Swimming is a great way to relieve swelling. The water in the pool is cool and refreshing and helps a lot. 2 years ago we visited Disney, I was 7 months pregnant. Swimming in the evenings felt so good!
Take it easy in the parks, I did a little too much and ended up needing to rent a wheel chair.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Miumiu4me]

Take her to a waterpark. I was 6 months pregnant when we went and about halfway through our trip my husband took me to Typhoon Lagoon where I floated in the lazy river for probably 3-4 hours. It was HEAVEN! It really helped get me through the rest of the week. I even tried to talk him into going to Blizzard Beach on another day. Good luck!

This. I prefer blizzard beach though. I go to the wave pool, grab a donut, and head to the right side of the pool, where it is usually less crowded.

 

[Lori1960]

Keeping your feet up is important and also drinking a lot of water.I would also check with the Dr and see if he cangive you a prescprtion for water pills.you might also want to buy a pair of compression socks they are suppose to help but I would try them on a store that sells them but only wear them when you a resting at the hotel and not to sleep in

 

[rcraw45425]

This is where my mind went. I had severe pre-e and hellp syndrome and came within hours of dying. Swollen feet were my first sign. Make sure she knows the signs to look for. Headaches, floaters in front of te eyes, pain under you right rib (mine felt like severe heartburn and no one told me that could be it even after I was on bed rest) etc. anyway, drink tons of water, tons. It helps flush out everything. Watch salt intake. Whenever she can sit she should even if its just a couple minutes.

Same thing went through my mind. I became severely pre-eclamptic with our first at 31 weeks. We had been to WDW about six weeks prior, everything went fine. At 31 weeks we were in Birmingham for a week for hubby to take a board review course. We used to live there so I knew all that the city had to offer and I planned to do most of it. Was out of the hotel every morning seeing friends, shopping for baby items, etc. Each evening I would struggle more and more to remove my slip on thong sandals. (Now stretched out to fit my growing feet). About the fourth night I mentioned it to Jeff, He started examining my feet and checked us out of the hotel and drove us home. The next day I saw another one of the OBs in my group. He mentioned the fact that I had gained 10 pounds since my last appt. (had not been gaining). BP was elevated, but he glossed over that. Had lunch with Jeff and we went back to his office. I mentioned the bp so he checked it, only to discover it was stroke level. After rushing back to the OB groups office and being wheeled onto the OB floor, I began almost four weeks of complete bed rest. Baby was taken at 35 weeks, tiny and in respiratory distress. Thankfully she's now graduating high school and turning 18 next month. Edema is not to be taken lightly, if your feet start to swell, please go to a first aid station and have your BP checked!

 

[cnjmom]

Add me to the others who thought of more than just the average swollen feet that get better each morning when I read this post. During my first pregnancy, I noticed my feet were swollen after a cross country flight; I was 22 weeks. From that point on, my feet never 'got better' every morning. Toward the end of my pregnancy, I was retaining water like crazy and I delivered my daughter a month early. I never developed pre-eclampsia, but I did have high BP after--go figure.

For me, with the swollen feet, it got very difficult to walk or even stand for long periods of time by the time I was 7.5 months pregnant. It does sound like you are in close contact with her doctor, so that is good. Good luck and just think how much fun you'll have on your next trip with a little one!

 

[Ruthiesmama]

Same thing went through my mind. I became severely pre-eclamptic with our first at 31 weeks. We had been to WDW about six weeks prior, everything went fine. At 31 weeks we were in Birmingham for a week for hubby to take a board review course. We used to live there so I knew all that the city had to offer and I planned to do most of it. Was out of the hotel every morning seeing friends, shopping for baby items, etc. Each evening I would struggle more and more to remove my slip on thong sandals. (Now stretched out to fit my growing feet). About the fourth night I mentioned it to Jeff, He started examining my feet and checked us out of the hotel and drove us home. The next day I saw another one of the OBs in my group. He mentioned the fact that I had gained 10 pounds since my last appt. (had not been gaining). BP was elevated, but he glossed over that. Had lunch with Jeff and we went back to his office. I mentioned the bp so he checked it, only to discover it was stroke level. After rushing back to the OB groups office and being wheeled onto the OB floor, I began almost four weeks of complete bed rest. Baby was taken at 35 weeks, tiny and in respiratory distress. Thankfully she's now graduating high school and turning 18 next month. Edema is not to be taken lightly, if your feet start to swell, please go to a first aid station and have your BP checked!

Very similar experience for me. I had edema for awhile and it didn't get better, then I puffed up and gained ten pounds of water weight in a very short amount of time. I was put on hospital bed rest until it was unsafe to carry dd any longer. I'm sure women who have been through pre-e are a little more sensitive about swelling but it def can be the first symptom of a serious condition. I think having her put her feet on your lap was a really good suggestion because then you don't need to find "extra" room for her feet. Also I'm sure first aid could accommodate her taking a breather and elevating her legs. Have a good time and keep an extra watchful eye on her

 

[Tink_Kel]

You couldn't pay me to go to WDW 1 1/2 month before baby due in June heat... But I has my son 2 months early, so it's a moot point. If you don't live close by, I'd get the name of a good OB nearby before you leave

 

[mousefan73]

My mom has issues with swollen feet and here are the rides she loved to rest on.

MK:
-Carousel of Progress.
-Train. grab a whole bench and you can rest your legs on your hubby's lap
-that mover thing in tomorrowland
- it's a small world( though my mom found the boats were a tight fit for her legs)

HS:
-Disney Junior Live On Stage. it's a kiddie with Disney channel characters. Theater like, Only its floor seating. If you are able to get on the ground and back up.. You could totally lie down here.
-ABC Commonary The QS restaurant, Indoor and has booth seating. We found it never full in the afternoons. You can stretch here while snacking.
-the great movie ride- my mom looooved this. cool and comfortable.

EP:
- the circle of life ride. cool and compfy


Benches are everywhere, but I focused on A/C places.. No point in sitting on a nice bench if you are sweating.

More tips:

- I disagree with one poster, yes, you have more blood but watch the salt!!! Especially if you are eating out at Disney. Restaruant food in general is insane with sodium levels. If possible request reduced-sodium just like others have allegery needs.

-Take postassiuim and magnesium supplements. This helps the body get rid of water and get everything in balance or eat bananas, melons

-Other diurectic foodds: apsaragus, carrots, cucumber celerry

-CALF RAISES!!! when standing do these. Especially if you are flying!! Get up and do them!!!

-Water , Water and more water...

 

[mousefan73]

One more thing,.. AK does not offer much in A/C and also I find it more spread out to different rides that are cool. We found this part the hottest.. Also seating I dont reallly recall finding any nice, cool spots.

 

[baldy6060]

You guys are all great. My wife's bp gets checked regularly and it's been great. We have actually talked to 2 doctors now and they both support the trip and have given good advice (much of which has been repeated here). We are taking many, many precautions and the doctors were impressed with our preparations and research. Again, thank you all. Hopefully in the next year or 2 I will be asking questions regarding touring WDW with our baby boy.