Visited WDW 6 months + pregnant? - I need your help!!

[WDWorBUST]

Okay - I'm having a really difficult time deciding if we should go ahead with out trip scheduled in just over 3 weeks. We're driving from Oklahoma which is about 22 hours straight through. Besides the fact that I'm sure I will have to pee about the same amount my doctor told me I needed to get out and walk around every hour.....that makes a 22 hour drive even longer. We were originally going to drive straight through with my husband and I taking turns driving with our friends taking turns staying awake with us.....BUT when am I supposed to sleep if I'm having to jump out and walk around every hour?? And I've thought of putting one of them on as an additional driver but that won't work either because I wouldn't be able to sleep with them driving - I'm a HORRIBLE passenger. So first question - knowing how you felt at 29 weeks pregnant would you even attempt this drive first off.

Then my next concern is did you end up making so many bathroom breaks that you couldn't enjoy yourself? One of the things I have read repeatedly was to make sure you drink lots of water and stay hydrated - but doesn't that make for LOTS of bathroom breaks?? My health and my little baby girls is my first concern - but I don't want to go and feel like the trip was a waste.

Then last my friends have never been before and it will cost them more to go without us - they absorb the WHOLE cost of a rental car (or flying) and they lose the Disney Club discount on the room and such. Not to mention our traveling days we were sharing a hotel room so that increases too. BUT I don't want to go and then everyone wish we hadn't bothered.

If you have ever went at this time in your pregnancy - would you do it again?

Thanks - and sorry this turned out to be so long!
Amanda

 

[praisehisname]

I went to WDW when I was 6 months pregnant with my 3rd. Also had a 4 year old and a 2 year old. My hubby's whole family went. It was Memorial Day 1998 and apparently the hottest it had ever been! I would never do it pregnant again. I almost collapsed twice from heat exhaustion, couldn't ride half the rides because of being pregnant, and in general was just uncomfortable. I don't mean to be a wet blanket and sound negative--just telling you like it was!

Denise C. in MD (counting down to our first Disney cruise in January 2004)

 

[dcgrumpy]

What time of the year are you going? I wouldn't go in the summer, the heat is brutal even if you're not pregnant. I went to WDW in January at 5mos pregnant and DL in March at 7mos. I had a great time. I honestlydidn't have any problems, i just walked a little slower and sat and relaxed a little more. Of course there were a lot of rides I couldn't go on, but I knew I'd be back so it didn't bother me much.

 

[mbaker1277]

First of all I would NEVER drive that long pregnant. I there no way you can fly? I went in Septmber when I was 5 months pregnant, and I have never been so hot in my life! Other than that it was a great trip and i would do it again in a heartbeat. I hadn't gained very much weight so it wasn't hard to get around, and there were only a few rides that I couldn't do. We stayed on property, and I wouldnn't consider going if you couldn't. I had to have an afternoon nap break, and it made it so much easier. We also did not have any more children, so I imagine it would be much harder with a family and being pregnant. I don't know if it is worth it with everyones expectations riding on you. Can you not reschedule after you have the baby at a more affordable time? We took our daughter when she was 10 months old and it was one of the easiest trips we have made. Whatever your decision is have a great time!

 

[normmo]

Here's my two cents - I would do Disney pregnant (in fact I have) and just make the necessary adjustments such as rest, water, feet up and shorter days. Would not do the drive - especially not straight through, way too uncomfortable and you would have to do alot of stopping to move about. Can you break the drive up? Could you fly? That seems to me to be the biggest hurdle! Hope you come up with a solution that works for you and the baby (congrats by the way!!!).

 

[WDWorBUST]

Well....we actually are trying to figure out a way to fly now that SW has their special out we can probably afford to do it now - maybe. Now I'm just waiting on a call from my doctor (to see if he has any objections to me flying) and the rest of the "party" to see if it's going to work out. We are going the first week of September - which I know will be super hot.

 

[brunoflipper]

We actually drove from Tulsa last March when my wife was 24 weeks... She had no problems... We stopped a lot... She constantly moved her legs and propped them when she could... The concern being that you might get a DVT... We did stop overnight in Atlanta to make it easier on her and the kids (2 and 4 y.o. DSs)... I did all the driving and it really was not bad... We left here at 3 AM, Made Atlanta by 5 pm... Then left ATL at 6 AM and were at BWV just after noon... It is doable but it will be a chore...

 

[Tulip]

This is one of the things that worries me. We are planning our next trip for Feb. 05 but with our baby planning that could land me there about 6-7 months pregnant. Glad to know that I'm not the only one considering it.

 

[WDWorBUST]

Well - it's done. I bought airline tickets so we are flying. There is no turning back now unless the doctor says absolutely not at my appointment right before we leave. As it is I have his permission I'll only be 29 weeks along and we'll be sitting on a 1 hour flight and then a just under 3 hour flight and then vice versa on the way home so that has to beat 22 hours each way driving. If we had allowed more time for the drive it wouldn't have been so bad. But with only allowing one evening and one full day down there it wasn't practical to try and stop and it was insane to try and drive straight through. Coming back we had allotted two travel days and I was not near as worried about that. I am very excited and just trying to stay in the right frame of mind - SLOW AND RELAXING. I tend to be go go go - so this will actually be a change for me. I am excited again now. WOOHOOO!!

 

[WeLuvBuzz]

I'm about 29 weeks pregnant right now and I know I probably couldn't do Disney, but I'd sure try!!! Just remember to take LOTS of breaks! Go back to the hotel yourself if you have to and put your feet up, take a nap, etc. Take a heating pad..I'm sure your back will ache every night. GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[WDWorBUST]

Well I guess my deciding factor was that an uncomfortable week at Disney definitely beats an uncomfortable week at home

 

[obnurse2003]

Okay, well, you decided to go ahead and go so I guess THAT question was answered already. My advice to you, is if you still decide to go is:

Take a copy of your prenatal records with you. You never know.

I don't know your health history, or prenatal history, but make sure that you know all the risks involved. And are willing to accept them if they arise. Be prepared.

Have fun and REST. (if you decide to still go)

 

[hpygrll]

30 weeks pregnant here. We were supposed to go to WDW over July 4 weekend and my doctor vetoed it due to other complications. Anyway, just so you know we had tickets on Southwest and we didn't lose any money. We have a year to use the tickets.

Last pregnancy I went at 5 months and was fine. So I would suggest just listening to your doctor.

Hope it all works out!!!
Jenny

1977- offsite
1995 - CBR
1997 - Boardwalk
1998 - Contemporary
1999 - Port Orleans
2000 - Dixie Landings
2001 - OKW
2002 - VWL and BCV

 

[WDWorBUST]

Thanks Jenny! My doctor definitely has the "final right to veto". Speaking of SW - what is their change fee? I did read that I could use them towards another flight as long as it was by 8/5/04 but I thought there was a change fee.

 

[woodlandsparty]

I'm pregnant now, and will be almost 7 months when we go to WDW in December. Rather than renting a car, we have opted to rent an RV. We're not actually staying in the RV, we're just going to use it for travel. You might want to check into it.....it actually isn't going to cost us anymore to rent an RV than it was for us to rent a van. The RV will give me the option of having an on-board restroom (no stops!) and while in the parks, I'll also have the option of going out to the RV and napping in air-conditioning should I need a break.

And, another big plus....I get to stock the RV with prego munchies! I would hate to have to feed a pregnant stomach at WDW food rates!

With my first, at 6 months, I was really just starting to get to the 'gotta slow down' point. I would just say to make sure to stay cool.....I think that that's going to be your biggest obstacle.

 

[3for Me]

As with anything else - everyone and every pregnancy are different. If you feel you can handle this - I would go. Please make sure that the rest of your party is in the right mindset - that you may have to go back to the hotel while they stay at the parks, etc... and DO drink plenty of water even if it means plenty of bathroom stops.

Also, even on that 3 hour flight, make sure you get up a couple of times and move around - a walk to the bathroom wouldn't hurt!

During my 3rd pregnancy I flew a 1hr. 15min flight at least once a month (with 2 small children in tow) and it wasn't easy or comfortable - but it had to be done. I always got up and moved around.

I agree that you should have a copy of all prenatal records and a health card with you at all times - you never know and better safe than sorry!

With all that said have a wonderful time and get as much rest as you can while still having loads of fun!

 

[WDWorBUST]

I am feeling so much better about this - I spoke to my doctor again about flying and all he said was that he had to warn me that going within 10 miles of Disney World during pregnancy can result in "large mouse ears" in the baby. He just reminded me of the restrictions I already knew I had. And fortunately my husband and I have went every year for the last 4 years so this trip isn't for us as much as for our friends. And we usually walk off and leave my friend so we might even be a good match on walking speed this time. Thanks everyone - although I will take every precaution and be very careful this is going to be a fun trip. I'm looking forward to it again.

Amanda

 

[Strings]

I went 71/2 mos pregnant. I had a great time. we took it slow. DH joked that I visited every bathroom in WDW twice. When he rode a ride I couldn't, I would get a bench in the shade and put my feet up. It really helped with decreasing swelling of my feet. I would do it again. Have a safe and fun trip.

 

[hpygrll]

Hi Amanda

I'm glad you got the go ahead and I"m sure you'll have a great time. In answer to your Southwest question, I think there will be a fee when we go to change them, like $30 a ticket or so. We were just happy we didn't lose them completely since we were already so disappointed.

I'm sure you won't have to worry about that. Have a fantastic trip. Can't wait to hear all about it so I can live vicariously through you.

Jenny
1977 - offsite
1995- CBR
1997 - Boardwalk
1998 - Contemporary
1999 - Port Orleans
2000 - Dixie Landings
2001 - OKW
2002 - VWL and BCV
2003 - VWL cancelled

 

[BounceyOne]

I will also be at disney prego, 23-25 weeks. We usually drive but are doing the auto train this time, not as much sitting for me.