WDW and Pregnancy

[Smylie]

I posted this on the newbie board and someone suggested I try this board: Does anyone have any advice for visiting WDW while pregnant? I will be 5 months pregnant at the time we go.
Thanks

 

[all4fun]

Congrats on the pending arrival. I'm sure you'll get lots of responses but if you do a search you should find plenty of threads on this subject.

Here's a link to allearsnet.com's Tips for Expectant Moms-to-be

I went when I was only 8wks so don't know how much help I will be. I suggest following the attraction guidelines, drink plenty of water, and take breaks whenever you feel like you need one.

Hope you have a great trip and a healthy, full-term pregnancy!

~Cheryl

 

[stahshee]

I went when I was 5 mnts preg...... Ok it is going to be real hot for you bring a battery op fan. drinks lots of water. COMFY shoes..and HAVE FUN

 

[tiggercrew]

Congratulations on the upcoming addition to your family!

I also went to WDW when I was 5 months pregnant with my DS. It was December, so the heat was not an issue for me. I did drink lots of water, rested whenever I felt I needed it, and stayed off all rides that I had any reservation about. My DD was only 3 at the time, so she and I enjoyed quality time on the "kiddie" rides, while the rest of our group went on the rides I chose not to do. It was probably one of my favorite trips!

Enjoy your vacation and the remainder of your pregnancy.

 

[Smylie]

Thanks everyone for the well wishes and the advice. We haven't been on a vacation in so long so it will be nice just to get away with my family - even if I won't be able to ride all the rides.

 

[JenniferW]

I've done it a few times at different stages of pregnancy and you just have to play it by ear and be flexible with your plans. 5 months is great since hopefully the nausea will be over!

Use your judgement/doctor's judgement on the rides. There are a few obvious ones like big roller coasters that you will want to avoid, but some of those like Splash Mountain or the Safari thing at AK many people go on even though it says no pregnant people. It just depends on you.

Jenn

 

[KimberlyC]

I was 3 months pregnant our last WDW trip. I had a horrible pregnancy so the Magic Kingdom wasn't magical for me but the restrooms are kept in good order which I appreciated given the time I spent in them. I had to be there for work and since I was on 5 lb lifting restrictions DH accompanied me and we made a long weekend of it. Hopefully you will fare better. The nice thing about the MK is that only a few rides are off limits. Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mtn Railroad, Indy Speedway are the ones that I recall.

Rest when you need to. The train is nice for this. Plan to eat a good meal, maybe at one of the monorail resorts. We ate at CR b/c I couldn't look at food at the park and wanted a nice sit down restful dinner (not that I could really eat much without getting sick anyway). Stay hydrated (as has been said before). If food/heartburn is an issue bring a small lunchbox size cooler with good snacks. I'm sorry but it seems like all the food there is junk food and more junk food and I could not even look at the turkey drum sticks people were eating without feeling queasy. Get fast passes whenever possible b/c standing in line (1 hour and 20 minutes long sometimes) can be hard on your feet, back and bladder.

Sorry, if I sound like a complainer but I must say this was a wonderful trip. I spent my last trimester in bed and often thought (and still think) about that trip fondly because it was our last trip with just the two of us. When we go this summer I will see it all again but this time through my sons eyes and I can't wait to show him all the rides he went on when he was in my belly.

 

[rt2dz]

When we went last year, I was just shy of 6 months. Here are my tips, in no order of importance (although I'm sure I'll forget some).

1. Build up your walking endurance and do it in a very comfortable pair of shoes. Then wear those shoes in the parks everyday, even when not "fashionable".

2. Bring a bath salt type thing for soaking your feet at the end of the day. That helped a lot.

3. Avoid any and all rides with a pregnancy restriction. It's really not that many and the risk, no matter how minor, just isn't worth it. One exception might be Kilamajori Safari.

4. Study the map for all bathroom locations. You won't ever be far from one, but it helps to know where you're heading in advance.

5. Be sure of any food cravings and food avoidances when you make your ADRs. Mainly the food avoidance.

6. Stay onsite. If you can stay on a monorail resort or WL. These are easy resorts to get back to, but really any onsite resort will do.

7. Make sure all your clothes are comfortable. I actually grew a size from the time we left till the second day.

8. Talk to your OB about it as soon as you can and again right before you leave.

9. If driving, stop frequently and stretch.

10. Eat frequently and stay hydrated. Duh.


Do a search on this board and you'll come across many more. Heck, probably more posted by me alone.

 

[3PRINCESSMOM]

(believe it or not, twice during one pregnancy).

Just like anytime during a pregnancy, listen to you body! Do not over exert yourself, stop and rest frequently, drink water constantly.

In all honesty, I really, really enjoyed the trips while I was pregnant because it forced me to take it easy and enjoy all of WDW's magic. I am a ride freak, so missing out on some thrills was a downer at first. However, doing things like lingering over our meals and spending more time at the resort turned out to be just as fun and certainly more relaxing.

Congrats!

 

[SaraMc]

I just got back and I am 15 weeks pregnant, my morning sickness was gone by then ( thank goodness!)

- Keep yourself hydrated
- Stop when you need to. Its ok to go back to your room and take a nap, 3:00 everyday DH could tell I needed a break.
- Wear the comfy shoes
- Wear sunblock, we pregnant folks apparently burn a whole lot easier.



If you fly
- Make sure if you are flying to drink a ton of water
- Ask for a seat belt extender on the plane, makes it really comfy nothings worse than the belt cutting into your belly

I didnt go on any rides with the warnings, but I did do the pre-show for Tower of terror with DH and then asked to take the chicken exit, explaining why..The CM's were very happy to help

Have a great trip!

 

[sara74]

Lots of great advice from people. Especially taking the 'chicken' exit so you can see the preshows on the rides you won't participate in fully. Never thought of that one! I have one warning on sealbelts though. You should wear a seatbelt across your hips, not across the belly - so that if the seatbelt actually comes into play it is not putting pressure on the baby. If you wear it across the hips you may find that you will not need seat belt extenders.

Have a great trip! I will be 24 weeks or so myself when we go, so I'll be right there with you!

 

[rt2dz]

I have one warning on sealbelts though. You should wear a seatbelt across your hips, not across the belly - so that if the seatbelt actually comes into play it is not putting pressure on the baby. If you wear it across the hips you may find that you will not need seat belt extenders.

I was just about to post the same thing. Like in a car, the seatbelt goes across your lap not your belly, pregnant or not. It is very dangerous to wear a seatbelt across your belly, it causes internal damage and could severly harm the baby if pregnant.

 

[katiesmom2]

I've been to Disneyland twice when pregnant. Once I was 3 weeks from my delivery date and once I was 6 weeks from delivery. I really had fun! As you mentioned, you can't go on all of the rides, but it is a great place for a nice walk. Wear comfy shoes and drink lots of water. Have fun!

 

[Schachteles]

I went when I had about 6 weeks left...it is a lot of walking but we had a great time. I really couldn't go on too many "rides" but for us it was nice to have that last trip alone for awhile

Like everyone else says...drink lots of water and have comfy shoes. And remember to take your time.

 

[mrsbelle]

Thanks for posting this! I am going in a few weeks and I will be 7 months pregnant, so it is nice to hear these tips! I hope you enjoy your trip!

 

[Tracy Jean]

Has anyone had the Mom-to-be massage at the Grand Floridian Spa? I am hoping to go to WDW next month, when I will be almost 7 months pregnant. If we do, I think this will be at the top of my list!

 

[EmALee]

I'm really enjoying this thread. I'm going to be around 20 weeks when I go with my family. I have an aversion to missing out on all of the rollercoasters, but I think this trip will make me appreciate Disney more. Plus, not going on all the rides will give my feet their break. I'm a little nervous about flying, last time I flew I started to feel a little nauseas and I'm hoping that won't be made worse by the pregnancy, has anyone experienced any different feelings while flying? Also, we have a layover where we stay on the plane for about an hour, making our flight longer and I have never used an airplane restroom. I really just don't like public restrooms so I guess I'll have to get over that aversion too. Thank you to all who have given the "walk a lot before you go" advice, I never even thought about that! I guess my mom and I will have to start going .