Cruising while pregnant!

Hi all!

It was suggested to me by another to come here!

I just went through a 2nd round of IVF and finally success! However we already booked a cruise for early February (I should be 15 weeks by that time). Also, we find out Thursday if it's twins or not. We transferred 2 embryos so it's possible but it could complicate things.

Can anyone share their experience / tips for cruising pregnant?

Thanks!!!

I haven't cruised pregnant...yet. I was too far pregnant for one cruise so that had to be canceled, and I'm hoping to be pregnant for our next one in March. Just wanted to say CONGRATS! And, being at the 15 week mark, your morning sickness (should you have any), should be gone by that point. Enjoy!

I've cruised twice while pregnant. I started bleeding with my first pregnancy, and the doctors basically said, "well, we have no idea what's causing the bleeding, and we have no idea if the pregnancy is viable and there's nothing you can do about it." (thankfully everything turned out well)

Since there was nothing I could do to improve my chances of having a successful pregnancy, I figured it couldn't hurt to take a cruise to Alaska. It was absolutely lovely. I'd recommend getting a note from your doctor documenting the pregnancy and due date and general health (most but not all cruise lines require this but if you ever need any modifications it's better to have a note for it). You can talk to your doctor about any excursions you want to do, and should probably double check with the providers if they will allow you to do things while pregnant (I was only about 8 weeks along on the first cruise, and got pregnant in Copenhagen prior to departing on my next cruise pregnant so I wasn't really showing either time and could sneak into excursions but at 15 weeks I wouldn't count on that happening, especially with twins).

The biggest thing I needed while pregnant was to eat a lot of small meals frequently to chase away nausea. Try to store whatever food you like in your room - the boxed cereals or yoghurt with breakfast might be a good option. It will also be good preparation for when you travel with kids, since you will always need food on hand to avoid meltdowns.

Oh, and I'd recommend travel insurance with medical coverage since it can be expensive to be medically evacuated on a trip.

Also, this is a personal choice, but I wouldn't go through the high tech scanners at the airport while pregnant. You can request a pat down if you aren't comfortable using them.

I'd also recommend talking with your doctor about what kind of hand sanitizer they'd recommend (I don't know what kills the norovirus).

Congratulations! I'm so glad the IVF took!

Twins by IVF can mean a lot more symptoms for morning sickness. Be prepared for severe exhaustion, nausea and vomiting. Sure, most people think that it will be over by 15 weeks, but there is no guarantee.

Find some twin moms on Facebook and see how they felt about that time. Being on a moving boat may make symptoms worse.

Also, triple check for your travelers insurance, that they will cover your pregnancy! I would encourage you to get it in writing, because if you have any trouble it will cost 1000's of dollars to get you off the boat and back to the states. Your regular insurance won't do any good once you leave the states.

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I've cruised twice while pregnant. I started bleeding with my first pregnancy, and the doctors basically said, "well, we have no idea what's causing the bleeding, and we have no idea if the pregnancy is viable and there's nothing you can do about it." (thankfully everything turned out well)

 

Since there was nothing I could do to improve my chances of having a successful pregnancy, I figured it couldn't hurt to take a cruise to Alaska. It was absolutely lovely. I'd recommend getting a note from your doctor documenting the pregnancy and due date and general health (most but not all cruise lines require this but if you ever need any modifications it's better to have a note for it). You can talk to your doctor about any excursions you want to do, and should probably double check with the providers if they will allow you to do things while pregnant (I was only about 8 weeks along on the first cruise, and got pregnant in Copenhagen prior to departing on my next cruise pregnant so I wasn't really showing either time and could sneak into excursions but at 15 weeks I wouldn't count on that happening, especially with twins).

 

The biggest thing I needed while pregnant was to eat a lot of small meals frequently to chase away nausea. Try to store whatever food you like in your room - the boxed cereals or yoghurt with breakfast might be a good option. It will also be good preparation for when you travel with kids, since you will always need food on hand to avoid meltdowns.

 

Oh, and I'd recommend travel insurance with medical coverage since it can be expensive to be medically evacuated on a trip.

 

Also, this is a personal choice, but I wouldn't go through the high tech scanners at the airport while pregnant. You can request a pat down if you aren't comfortable using them.

 

I'd also recommend talking with your doctor about what kind of hand sanitizer they'd recommend (I don't know what kills the norovirus).

 

Congratulations! I'm so glad the IVF took!

Only soap/water or bleach kills the norovirus. Hand sanitizer is worthless against that nasty bug.

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Your OB is the one to tell you if you should cruise... considering that this was a hard-fought pregnancy, not sure I'd risk any problems that might occur....not saying they will....

If something does happen on the ship, evacuation is your only choice...they do NOT have facilities for pregnancy problems at all....

Even if you feel like your morning sickness has passed, get a prescription for some diclectin (this could be called something different in the US) and fill it before you go. It was great for me when I was pregnant on a cruise, especially at dinner time.

No way. A successful pregnancy/ delivery can require a good hospital, specialists, incubrators and more. I had a premie who would have died if birth happened on ship. Cruise ships have no facilities, not even Xray machines.

Only soap/water or bleach kills the norovirus. Hand sanitizer is worthless against that nasty bug.

 

 

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There are several commercial hand sanitizer that work against noro. If your hands are visibly soiled then only soap and water will do.

Hi all!

 

It was suggested to me by another to come here!

 

I just went through a 2nd round of IVF and finally success! However we already booked a cruise for early February (I should be 15 weeks by that time). Also, we find out Thursday if it's twins or not. We transferred 2 embryos so it's possible but it could complicate things.

 

Can anyone share their experience / tips for cruising pregnant?

 

Thanks!!!

Congratulations! What an exciting time! Once you know Thursday if you are having twins (please come back and share if you feel comfortable doing so!) Have a heart to heart with your doctor or midwife about the risks of traveling while pregnant. And definitely get travel insurance, sine now you have a wonderful pre-existing condition.

Congratulations.

I was 13 weeks pregnant when we took our cruise. I had a letter from my doctor stating my general health, the due date and that at the time the letter was written I was fit for travel.

It was a lovely cruise even though I had trouble in the buffet at times. I finally realized m ybest bet was to send hubby through the lines for food and I was waiting at a table because if I saw the food before starting to eat I did not need to bother because nausea kicked in...

Please ask your doctor what medicine is safe for you and your child and if you feel tired take a nap.

No way. A successful pregnancy/ delivery can require a good hospital, specialists, incubrators and more. I had a premie who would have died if birth happened on ship. Cruise ships have no facilities, not even Xray machines.

She's sailing at 15 weeks. Women sailing close to the point of viability need to carefully consider if they should cruise, because the ship will be completely ill-equipped to handle the needs of a micro premie for the reasons you have listed. When I was bleeding at 8 weeks, the ob cleared to take an Alaskan cruise since there was absolutely nothing I could do at home or in Alaska to prevent a miscarriage.

She's sailing at 15 weeks. Women sailing close to the point of viability need to carefully consider if they should cruise, because the ship will be completely ill-equipped to handle the needs of a micro premie for the reasons you have listed. When I was bleeding at 8 weeks, the ob cleared to take an Alaskan cruise since there was absolutely nothing I could do at home or in Alaska to prevent a miscarriage.

I can read your post either way, but 15 weeks is nowhere near viability.

That said, we did not cruise with our IVF twins in the oven. We cruised many times before, and the kids have 10 cruises under their belts (having just turned 6), but didn't take the risk. In addition to the real risk, there is the 'what if?'if something does happen. We did a fair amount of travel, just on land and in decent sized cities.

I cruised the week after we found out (about 6 weeks) much earlier than you, it was a 14 night to the norweigen fjords. On the 5th day the tiredness and nausea hit big time, not morning but evening sickness so I couldn't enjoy the lovely dinners. However the fresh sea air, lovely walks and not having to lift a finger for 2 weeks was ace. Think I would have been in better shape to go at 15 weeks as the sickness and tiredness had stopped by then ☺

We did a Northern European Cruise when I was 14/15 weeks pregnant. Because of my age (36) I was technically high risk. We discussed it with my OB and he approved the cruise. He did tell us that he might think twice if we were sailing to the Caribbean or other areas that might not have great medical care.

I did have to have a note from my OB stating my due date and that I was fit to travel.

The only issue was one night when the seas were extremely rough. I got a bit seasick, but thanks to ginger ale, 1/2 of a Dramamine & sleeping with the slider open (cool air) I was fine the next morning. My OB said that I could take up to 1 Dramamine if I started getting sea sick (said the risk of dehydration if I got really sick would be more dangerous than the Dramamine).

I flew weekly through week 34 for work (with blessing of OB). I often went through the airport x-Ray machines without issue. One thing to keep in mind is that in the US you do have the right to request not to use it (& have a pat down), but in other countries you don't necessarily have that option.

OP - congratulations.

OP will have to complete the cruise line's form for pregnancy. She can't cancel now, it's too close to her cruise, without losing money.

Hopefully, she already purchased travel insurance, though most policies I've purchased specifically exclude coverage for pregnancy. And, now, it's a "pre-existing" condition.

Good luck.

Sorry - I should have been clearer in my earlier post. She is nowhere near viability, and doesn't need to worry about going into preterm labor and need medical facilities for the baby. At 15 weeks there is very little they can do one way or another (but some women would feel more comfortable at home, which is completely understandable).

Thanks all for your input! We're having a singleton and the heartbeat was 110!

Thanks all for your input! We're having a singleton and the heartbeat was 110!

Congratulations! :D

Congrats! I was 14/15 weeks pregnant on our last cruise and had a great time. I think it was an ideal time to take a cruise during pregnancy (completely random, as we booked the cruise before I was pregnant), but every pregnancy is different. I didn't have morning sickness at all, so I didn't need to worry about it on the cruise.

Two other things to watch out for:

1) I felt very lightheaded (close to fainting) on both flights at this point in pregnancy. My OB said it is very common, as your BP can be lower than usual in early pregnancy. Not sure what to tell you, but I don't think I'll fly at that point next time if it can be avoided - and never alone. I would cruise again, but from a port we could drive to.

2) If you're going to a hot-weather climate, be very careful about staying hydrated. No problem on the ship, but make sure you pack extra water for excursions.

Congratulations! I'm so thrilled for you!

Now you guys really have me thinking, we already had a cruise booked and i'll be 22 weeks at sail date. I really want to go for one last trip with just the 3 of us and the ob didn't have any issue with it, I do think I need to find insurance that will cover pregnancy, any suggestions?

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

I've cruised pregnant three times, once in my first trimester and twice in my second. I enjoyed all three cruises. The cruise in my first trimester (2nd baby), I did feel some nausea when the seas were noticeable - I would not call them rough - but only when I was in the Windjammer (very high deck, at end of the ship). Basically you could notice movement of the ship a couple of days at lunch and I felt sick to my stomach up in the buffet. That was it for "pregnancy amplified symptoms". Otherwise, the cruises were great - slept great, ate well, enjoyed our excursions, onboard activities, and the low bar bill at the end!

Hi all!

 

It was suggested to me by another to come here!

 

I just went through a 2nd round of IVF and finally success! However we already booked a cruise for early February (I should be 15 weeks by that time). Also, we find out Thursday if it's twins or not. We transferred 2 embryos so it's possible but it could complicate things.

 

Can anyone share their experience / tips for cruising pregnant?

 

Thanks!!!

Congratulations! Although I never cruised while pregnant I also went through IVF. When I went for my first ultrasound I was told that I had 3 sacs but only 2 looked viable. Well when I went back for heartbeats there were 3!!! My triplets are almost 14 years old and they love to cruise! Best of luck to you!

No way. A successful pregnancy/ delivery can require a good hospital, specialists, incubrators and more. I had a premie who would have died if birth happened on ship. Cruise ships have no facilities, not even Xray machines.

They do have an X-ray machine on ships. I fell into a tender in rough seas and Royal Caribbean had an X-ray machine to see that my foot was broken.

My mom fell and broke her hip on Celebrity and they most certainly had an X-ray machine there.

We took the film with us when she was evac'd off the ship to Ft Lauderdale.