Rather be six months pregnant at WDW or have a six month old baby at WDW?

[Jen D]

Or neither??

We're planning on an addition to our little family (we have one dd, almost 5 years old. We had been planning tentatively on a WDW vacation for fall 2003. But, this may affect our plans.

Let's say (for the sake of argument) I get pregnant THIS MONTH. I would be due May 2003. So if we went to WDW in, say November, I have a six month old baby. Yeah, we could put it off until winter or spring 2004- but no matter how you slice it you're at WDW with a baby under a year old. Now this doesn't completely stress me out, but it would certainly be a very different vacation than I had with last fall with my four year old. On the other hand, I'm really gonna need a vacation about then.

Another scenario-- push up our trip to this winter-- January or February. I'd be a few months pg but not too far along to travel. Of course, I wouldn't be able to ride the good rides or enjoy a glass of wine on the balcony. But, there's plenty else to do, and it might be nice to have a special little vacation for just the three of us, to have special time before the size of the family increases.

A bad part about that scenario, besides having to skip Space Mountain, is that it gives us less time to save for the trip-- and we'd be spending a lot of dough on WDW at just the time we'd need to be preparing the apartment for its newest addition.

Then there is the third scenario *sniffle* Put off the WDW indefinitely-- maybe until 2005-- and just content myself with reading trip reports for the next three years.

Advice? Thoughts? What would you do?

 

[Kermit]

I'm 15 weeks pregnant right now, and I'd definitely go with the baby. Pregnancy is hard on your body (as I'm sure you remember). It's also very stressful any time you have an unexplained ache or pain, and you may not feel like being away from your doctor. We've already decided not to go anywhere for Thanksgiving this year when I'll be 6 months along. DH is more worried about it than I am and won't even consider it.

It depends on the baby, of course, but taking the baby should be much easier. You're not planning on going in the summer, so you don't have to worry excessively about heat. The baby will be over 3 months old, so you don't need to worry as much if the baby gets slightly sick, and you'll have finished one round of shots. If you're nursing, most doctors don't recommend that nursing babies start solids until 6 months, so you won't have much stuff to drag around in the parks. Statistically speaking, most babies sleep at least 6 hours straight through the night by that time, so you probably won't have to feel guilty about a baby screaming in the hotel room in the middle of the night.

Good luck increasing your family size!

 

[KathyK]

Well, I went to WDW when I was 3 months pregnant and when we had a 5 month old. It turns out that my pregnancy had some complications that we found out about right after we returned from WDW, and I was ordered not to travel. So, it's a good thing that we went when we did.

We had a great time with the 5 month old, and we're going back in November - she will be 11 months.

--Kathy

 

[riggins]

I vote for before the baby . . . While I didn't do WDW while pregnant, I did travel a lot (Jamaica, Las Vegas, many business trips, etc). We then took DD to WDW at 9 months and it was much more work than traveling while pregnant. I had a fairly easy prenancy and wasn't really uncomfortable until the last month, so that may be the difference. I loved our trip with DD, but the time we spent stopping for diaper changes, frequent feedings, etc. was much more work than traveling when I was pregnant. Since you've been pregnant before, you may be able to gauge how well you think you'll feel at the time of your trip.

Good Luck!

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

Some male perspective . . .

Go after the baby is born. We did a non-WDW vacation when our older DD was 6-months old. I was surprised because it was such an easy age for traveling!

Also, we went to WDW when our older DD was 13-months. We all had a blast. We will be going soon when our younger DD will be 10 months.

Avoid the "third scenario" at all costs!!!

 

[Jen D]

Well, I traveled a lot during my last pregnancy, too, so I guess that's why I thought it wouldn't be a big deal. Of course, each pregnancy is different.

All the opinions are giving me something to think about! Keep 'em coming!

(I thought of another scenario-- don't have another baby, because it interferes with my WDW touring plans! Just kidding, LOL!)

 

[Princess_Aurora]

I went to WDW four months pregnant...it's not that fun. I thought I could handle it pretty good, but when the rest of my family went to get on Rock 'n Roller Coaster, I burst into tears! I couldn't really explain it. I knew I wasn't going to be able to ride it, but those darn pregnancy emotions just caught up with me. I also had an AWFUL time with my feet...it hurt so bad that by the last couple of days there DH was pushing me around in a wheel chair. I also didn't plan to be pregnant when we went. We had the trip planed a year in advance and the pregnancy kinda caught us off gaurd.

We're now going back in September and DS will be 5 months old. I'm much more looking foward to that trip, first of all because it'll be DS's first trip and DD (4yo) will love getting to show him everything. PLUS I'll get to ride all the rides this time

 

[disneymom3]

Buy a Baby Bjorn front pack and go WITH the baby. I have done it both ways--5 months preg and with a 5 month old and it was WAY better and easier to bring baby. Of course, I also had a toddler so not like the baby was the one slowing us down. I was also BF-ing so didn't have to worry about bottles or even solid food at that point and that makes it a lot easier.

I tell ya though, baby rode around in his front pack, looked at the sights, slept right there when he was tired and best of all--Daddy could take turns carrying him around! I wished for that when I was pregnant!

 

[jenny2]

I went in Feb (drove from Mass) when I was 5 months pregnant. I had an easy pregnancy, and it really didn't slow me down any. I knew we'd be back in the near future, so not being able to ride the big rides didn't bother me. We viewed it as our last vacation as a 3-some (my DD was 20 months old).

We're going in a few weeks with our now 27 month old DD and 2 1/2 month old DS and just thinking of all the stuff we need to bring now is daunting! I'm nursing, so feeding him's not a problem. But we're bringing a double stroller in case it's too hot to wear him in the Baby Bjorn and that's going to be a pain in the butt to lug around. We travelled with DD when she was 4 months old and it was really easy so I'm hoping this trip goes as well!!

Have fun no matter what you do

 

[poohlover]

I've done both, several times! We have 6 kids and my pregnancies have always been easy. I did take it easy, relax, put my feet up mid day...and we had little ones each time I was prego...so it was easy to go slow.

Going with a little one is also easy...IF the baby is easy. I had one with colic that would have been terrible to travel with, even by 6 months!

If you make ressies & then change your mind, you can always cancel. You have to go with what makes you the most comfortable! My hubby always said going from 1 kid to 2 was the hardest!! You may find it harder than you think. I on the other hand thought 3 was the hardest, (that was the one with colic!)

 

[PoohBears#1fan]

Hi Jen,

Personally I'd choose with the baby, I'm 5 months pregnant at the moment and the thought of walking around theme parks in the heat really isn't that appealing at the moment - I'm shattered!

We're in the UK and do hold season tickets to a large group of theme parks here, normally we're off every week but since I've been pregnant I just don't have the energy, and when we do go, it does really take it out of me, that's without the Florida weather as well!

Just my opinion, hope it's of some help.

 

[DisOrBust]

ON our way to WDW this year we found out I was PG! All went well but I ended up having a lot of bleeding and a Placenta Previa. I was dam lucky nothing happen on our trip. After 8 weeks I was miserable at home and very happy I wasn't at WDW at the time. This was/is my 4th preg and it has not been as easy as the rest. I did eveything with my last preg and never thought I would be in this miserable of a postion. I was very happy not to have a WDW trip planned during this PG.

WE are planning on going whenDD is 3-4 months old. Which is a great age because their not mobile yet, I would vote for going during this age before 6 months.

On another note: Many people travel during their pregnacy without any problems. I work as an L&D RN and have to warn you that if you have complications while traveling your insurance may not cover it even if your doctor has ok'd you. READ the small print in your insurance. We had a couple deliver 28 wk twins out of town and they were not covered for their NICU stay, it wasn't pretty.t

 

[Tink]

I did WDW 2x 6 months pregnant and we took DD #1 to Disneyland at 7 motnhs old.

Being pregnant at WDW was not a problem for me. I was very lucky that I had pretty easy pregnancies. We DD #2, I had more morning sickness in the beginning, but that was gone by our trip.(She didn't want to come out, tho. Little bugger had to be induced, since she got to be over 8lbs, and I am 5 foot and not that big of a person!)I took it easy both times and didn't go on anything risky. I drank a lot of water and rested when I could. Just listen to what your body tells you.

Emily had just turned 7 months when we went to Disneyland. It was easy, since she still napped a lot, and we had her on jarred food then. We would go into the Baby Center to warm her bottles and food. She loved the sites and sounds. Her little head bobbed every time we went on Small World. Our only problem was that she was a late sitter. She didn't sit until almost 8.5 months, making the fast food type of high chair not an option for us. That is why we went to the baby centers. Not only are they cooler and quieter, they have regular high chairs. So when we went to eat, we kept her in her stroller.

 

[magical4u]

I am the mother of two... 5&4. We began taking them when they were one.
I have been to Disney 5 months pregnant twice. And I have been with a one year old twice.

What should you do?
Follow your heart!

My advise?
Usually the middle of a pregnancy is the best time to go... You feel better... and have energy. Also... if your daughter is 5 now... she is still at the Magical age... not ready to begin with "questions". Still believing in everything (like me!)


If you wait... it will STILL be wonderful... you will just have to worry more about naps, diapers and bottles. Right now... you will be able to focus on just your DD... Then... save for a later trip when DD or DS #2 can walk! What fun THAT will be!

As far as your third option??? It isn't even an option! right???

Remember... Unless you are financially independant, you will NEVER have enough $$ to do everything at Disney... SO... enjoy what is possible now!

Hope it helps!

And... have a great trip!

 

[crisi]

And for something completely different -

As a woman who had fertility problems (and have had friends with fertility problems - even after conceiving a first baby easily), just plan to go when you want. If you plan around a planned pregancy that takes a long time (or, God forbid, never happens)- you may be delaying for quite a while.

(My son is nearly three years younger than my girlfriends son who was conceived about the time we started trying. And another girlfriend has children six years apart - they were meant to be two years apart).

Take out trip insurance and/or buy refundable tickets. If you have a problematic pregnancy - cancel (no Disney trip is worth a miscarriage, and IMHO it would have to be spectacular in every other way to make up for being physically miserable) and reschedule for after the baby is born.

Don't tell your daughter your plans until they are more or less definate (like the week before you leave and you have the all clear to travel from the OB), in case you need to cancel at the last minute.

Whatever trip you end up taking will be special.

(Some pregnancies are easy - some you'd be nuts to travel. Some babies travel easy - some don't. Your last baby and pregnancy may give you clues, but each baby/pregnancy is completely unique.)

 

[elisebutt]

Why not have the holiday when you can afford it - ie in 6 months time and make a start on trying for a baby whilst you're there - LOL

no worries about pregnancy or toting around baby stuff and what a story to embarrass the new one with when he/she is bigger??

 

[Barb D]

My vote (without reading the other responses) is to take the baby. We took a quick pre-pg trip in December, 1998, knowing we were going to start trying for baby #3 soon. She was born in October, 1999 and had her first WDW trip at 5mo. Personally, I am SO uncomfortable being pg that I wouldn't be able to enjoy myself at WDW. I'm too sick at the beginning and too unwieldy at the end. I'd much rather take a portable little one.

 

[Jen D]

Wow! You guys have given me a lot to think about-- I was hoping for a consensus but I guess there is no clear-cut "right" answer. I think in a lot of ways things might be better with the baby rather than pregnant; but I also really like the idea of having one more trip with just dd. I guess I'll have to see what dh thinks. He hates planning vacations in advance-- he'd prefer to plan 2-3 months ahead-- but wdw doesn't work that way!

 

[jlima]

Wait til the baby comes. We went in Nov 99 when I was 23 weeks; we rented wheelchairs all week so I could take it easy. It was a great vacation and DS8 who was 5 at the time still says it was his best vacation ever. But even with trying to take it easy all week I had a scare; I thought I was having contractions the last morning we were there and I took a taxi to Celebration Hospital. They gave me 2 shots and a prescription. Our flight didn't leave until 10pm and we had to check out of our room at the Dolphin; they gave us a parlor suite at the Swan so I could have a place to rest all day while DH took DS5 to Blizzard Beach.

If I'm ever pregnant again I'm not leaving the county I live in.

If you have a problem you'd probably be better off at home with your own doctor. I'd wait, and take the trip later.

 

[JennSaint]

I say go in January or February 2003. This will give your DD a really nice trip alone with her parents one last time before the baby comes. Plus the weather is usually cool in those months so heat most likely wouldn't be a problem. Plan some afternoon breaks so you'll get some rest.