Pregnancy Policy

[Mom_of_2_boys]

I realize that Carnival's site says that they won't allow anyone who's in their 27th week of pregnancy on board, but I have a question ...

 

The last two cruises that I was on, I noticed more than a few pregnant women on board that looked like they were ready to pop those babies out.

 

Is the policy strictly enforced? What sort of "proof" do these women need to bring in order to still be allowed on the ship? Does Carnival just not pay attention to the bellies when these women are boarding?

 

A lot of questions, I know, but I'm very curious since I'll be 25 weeks along when I board the Liberty on 12/8/07.

[MarriedInStThomas1807]

Just wondering.. why would you cruise while being pregnant? I would never want to risk it, no matter how far along I am.

[Mom_of_2_boys]

If I had any complications at all with this pregnancy, then yes, I would definitely stay home, but everything is going great and even my doctor said that getting away would be good for me. No, I will not be visiting the discos, the bars, or the casino (I never did those things either when I wasn't pregnant). I am going so that I can have a little slice of peace and quiet before the baby comes - and considering that this cruise was booked and paid for more than a year ago (way before I got pregnant), it's too late to cancel it now. I board in 23 days.

[BethCarp]

Just wondering.. why would you cruise while being pregnant? I would never want to risk it, no matter how far along I am.

 

There's nothing "risky" about cruising. As long as one is having a healthy pregnancy and they're cleared by their doctor to travel, there's no reason they shouldn't cruise.

 

OP, maybe the women had their doctors right a note fudging their due dates. I can't imagine that the cruiselines are in a position to say "sorry, but you look like you're further along than 27 weeks" ;)

[MarriedInStThomas1807]

Everyone's entitled to their own opinion, but I just don't think it's a good idea.

[Mom_of_2_boys]

OP, maybe the women had their doctors right a note fudging their due dates. I can't imagine that the cruiselines are in a position to say "sorry, but you look like you're further along than 27 weeks" ;)

 

Thank you so much for answering my question instead of questioning my reasons for cruising while pregnant. :)

[Desertbelle]

Since pregnancy is my business :D, I can tell you, without a doubt, that you are unable to tell how far along someone is by just looking at them. Different women grow at different rates. I have had patients who only looked a little pudgy who were due and women who were 5 months along who looked like they were birthing any minute.....and everything in between. :)

 

One of the most frequent concerns my patients tell me about is that their friends, families, co-workers, etc, are telling them they "look too big" or "look too small". I can't understand, for the life of me, why people would comment on the size of a pregnant woman's tummy in a negative way. Give the girl a break, she doesn't need to hear such things!:rolleyes:

 

As far as the cruise lines go, Beth is absolutely correct. I am sure the women have their letters, whether fudged or not, but who exactly on a cruise would be checking to verify the truth in them (and how would they)?

[BethCarp]

Everyone's entitled to their own opinion, but I just don't think it's a good idea.

Yes you are entitled to an opinion and not to travel while pregnant. Pregnant women travel every day; surely you know this. Why would you question the OP? :confused:

[crusinmama06]

To ANSWER the Op ;) Carnival requires a letter from your doctor stating that you are not in your 27th week. Call the special needs department. Some have said that they had to fax the letter in advance. Others said they simply just took it with them.

 

Have a great cruise!

[Baxter]

I'm sure it's a due diligence thing -- so long as they have documentation stating you are XX weeks along, they are covered. A "fudged" letter would not be their issue.

 

Enjoy your cruise...I cruised pregnant with my first, and it turns out I am pregnant for my next cruise! Only change is that my sailaway chocolate banana drink will be a mocktail!

[MarriedInStThomas1807]

What if something goes wrong? Chances are you'd be in a foreign country. Would they have adequate healthcare? The child would then be a citizen of that country if born there, not a U.S. citizen, right? How would you get the child back into the U.S.? You'd have thousands of people peeved because the ship has to make an unscheduled stop to let someone off. I don't know if I'd trust someone in some other country with something so important. It's not smart. Flame me or not, that is my opinion and I'm sticking with it.

[crusinmama06]

What if something goes wrong? Chances are you'd be in a foreign country. Would they have adequate healthcare? The child would then be a citizen of that country if born there, not a U.S. citizen, right? How would you get the child back into the U.S.? You'd have thousands of people peeved because the ship has to make an unscheduled stop to let someone off. I don't know if I'd trust someone in some other country with something so important. It's not smart. Flame me or not, that is my opinion and I'm sticking with it.

 

 

I won't flame ya ;) Just wanted to answer your question. If something does happen, then she would be medically evacuated from the ship to the closest port. When we had to be medically evacuated (for my youngest), they wanted to lift us to a US airforce base and then fly us back into the states.

 

The doctor actually decided against it because he didn't want us to be without medical care during the flight.

 

I don't know what happens when the child is born in another country like that. Think of how many celebrities go to other countries to have a private birth. Are thier children citizens of that country or of the US? I honestly don't know.

[PennyAgain]

I think part of the reason cruise ships are less willing to ask if a woman is pregnant is that so many people are overweight that many look pregnant when not.

 

Being mistaken for being pregnant years ago put me on a diet plan and fitness program instantly!

 

The ultimate decision rests with the physician and the woman.

 

My sister who had 4 nearly surprise deliveries never traveled more than a few miles from home. She barely had enough warning to get to the hospital.

 

Some cruise lines have a fixed limit of 6 months with no exceptions. Others give a little more time.

[Desertbelle]

What if something goes wrong? Chances are you'd be in a foreign country. Would they have adequate healthcare? The child would then be a citizen of that country if born there, not a U.S. citizen, right? How would you get the child back into the U.S.? You'd have thousands of people peeved because the ship has to make an unscheduled stop to let someone off. I don't know if I'd trust someone in some other country with something so important. It's not smart. Flame me or not, that is my opinion and I'm sticking with it.

 

They use the 27 week rule for very good reasons. Before 27 weeks it's extremely unlikely that a healthy women having a healthy pregnancy is going to have anything go "wrong". If by chance something did go wrong before the 27th week there is little even the best medicine in the world can do to save that baby. I know, I know, we all have heard of those 25 week babies who make it, but what we don't hear about so much are the hundreds that don't. Fortunately, a healthy mom doesn't need to worry about such things as it's very unlikely to be a problem she will encounter.

 

If a child is born to US citizens in a foreign country the child is still a US citizen. Getting that baby back into the US would probably require a little bit of paperwork but it won't be denied entry.

 

As far as people being upset for changing their ports because of a pregnant women needing medical care....I wouldn't be any more upset then if we needed to divert to a different port for a 82 year old man with heart disease boarding the ship and then having a problem. On any given cruise there are probably hundreds of people who are a lot closer to having a serious health issue than a healthy pregnant mom.

 

This isn't meant as a flame, but truly you need to do what is right for you and let others make their own choices. The fears you have are your own, and should be kept to yourself. If you wish to dispute the facts, it's your choice, but unless you have evidence (studies) that cruising while pregnant is unsafe then leave it to the woman and her doctor/midwife to make the decision for her.

[bb215]

I am not a doctor, but from what I've researched and from what I've been told by my own OBGYN, the second trimester is the best time for a pregnant woman to travel. I would imagine that a cruise can be one of the most relaxing vacations for someone who is pregnant. Almost everything is taken care of for you on the ship and you can choose to do as much or as little as possible. Of course, being pregnant, you'll probably be doing a lot less but I'm sure the cruise will be enjoyable regardless.

 

Provided that you are experiencing a normal pregnancy with no complications and you doctor has given the ok, I don't see any reason why you shouldn't go.

 

I, myself, will be going on a cruise in about a month, at which time I will about 22 weeks along. On top of that, I will be bringing my 10-month old daughter. I can just imagine all the judgments I will be getting from kid-haters and those who think I shouldn't be cruising while pregnant. :D

 

Like someone posted before, the decision is ultimately mine. If I thought I was putting myself/baby at risk or possibly ruining other passengers vacations in the event the ship had to stop for me, I would not have made the decision to go. But that's why cruise lines have such an early cut-off in their pregnancy policy (24 to 27 weeks depending on the cruise line). You will find that airlines will allow you up to your 35th week. I think there is a greater chance that someone who is NOT pregnant falling ill and causing the ship to make an emergency stop. (Hope this doesn't have to happen to anyone of course)

 

Anyway, just enjoy your cruise and don't worry about what others think. ;)

[wrp96]

I don't know what happens when the child is born in another country like that. Think of how many celebrities go to other countries to have a private birth. Are their children citizens of that country or of the US? I honestly don't know.

 

The general rule is if their parent is a US Citizen then the child is automatically a US citizen as well. There are a couple of exceptions relating mostly to if only the father is a US Citizen, but in most cases they don't apply.

[Mom_of_2_boys]

Thank you everyone for the advice and experience! It is certainly helpful and you've answered my questions completely.

 

I certainly didn't think that asking the question would start a debate, so I apologize for that.

 

MarriedInStThomas - I don't see where you were flamed, perhaps you see it differently. A difference in opinion does not constitute "flaming" someone. ;)

 

(backing away from the computer very very slowly ....)

[sas80]

When I was on the Mariner in May of 2007, I had a prescription from my OB/GYN stating that I was 23 weeks along - just in case anyone asked.

 

The prescription serves 2 purposes - one it would address anyone's concerns immediately and two, I would have all my OB's contact info for myself, or anyone else, in case of need.

 

I will be doing the same on the Voyager this April when I am 25 weeks along.

[shellie100]

I realize that Carnival's site says that they won't allow anyone who's in their 27th week of pregnancy on board, but I have a question ...

 

The last two cruises that I was on, I noticed more than a few pregnant women on board that looked like they were ready to pop those babies out.

 

Is the policy strictly enforced? What sort of "proof" do these women need to bring in order to still be allowed on the ship? Does Carnival just not pay attention to the bellies when these women are boarding?

 

A lot of questions, I know, but I'm very curious since I'll be 25 weeks along when I board the Liberty on 12/8/07.

 

 

I traveled at 25 weeks a couple of years ago and it was wonderful. Have a great time! If I were to do this again, I'd be bringing along antacids from home so my hubby won't be searching the ship gift shop at midnight trying to find them for me :D

 

Oh, to answer your question, I brought a note and was never asked for it, and I was very pregnant looking. Also, pay attention to the exact dates, it is not just that you can't be 27 weeks at boarding, but, from my understanding, you can't be "in your 27th week" at any point on the cruise. I think that means that you can't even be 26 wks & 1 day on the last day of the cruise So, just in case, be careful how the letter is worded.

[Mom_of_2_boys]

Oh, to answer your question, I brought a note and was never asked for it, and I was very pregnant looking. Also, pay attention to the exact dates, it is not just that you can't be 27 weeks at boarding, but, from my understanding, you can't be "in your 27th week" at any point on the cruise. I think that means that you can't even be 26 wks & 1 day on the last day of the cruise So, just in case, be careful how the letter is worded.

 

This helps a lot because I started looking pregnant at 19 weeks (this is my second child) and now I look like I'm about 7 months instead of just 5 months along.

 

I like a PP's suggestion of having the doctor write the note on a prescription paper rather than letterhead. Thanks for that tip!

[crusinmama06]

This helps a lot because I started looking pregnant at 19 weeks (this is my second child) and now I look like I'm about 7 months instead of just 5 months along.

 

I like a PP's suggestion of having the doctor write the note on a prescription paper rather than letterhead. Thanks for that tip!

 

I swear I started looking pregnant with my 2nd as soon as I saw two blue lines. ;)

[NoelsCat]

By 25 weeks in my pregnancy, strangers were stopping to ask me about multiple births and to tell them how many I was having!! UGH.

 

To OP, I hope you have a wonderful time on your cruise. Personally, I contend that the 2nd trimester is a WONDERFUL time to cruise.

[triciaminkc]

DesertBelle,

Just wanted to share that I am on the road to becoming a Certified Nurse Midwife! I am in the pipeline to start the program at KU Med center in Kansas City. I am still trying to decide which program the masters or the new Doctorate progam (which takes one extra year). I delivered all of my babies with a CNM and LOVED it. I hope that I can give the time and care that I enjoyed when I was pregnant!

 

Tricia

[NoelsCat]

DesertBelle,

Just wanted to share that I am on the road to becoming a Certified Nurse Midwife! I am in the pipeline to start the program at KU Med center in Kansas City. I am still trying to decide which program the masters or the new Doctorate progam (which takes one extra year). I delivered all of my babies with a CNM and LOVED it. I hope that I can give the time and care that I enjoyed when I was pregnant!

 

Tricia

 

 

Just wanted to say I used a CNM too -- and LOVED it. I also wouldn't do it any other way. Good luck!

[PattyW]

I've cruised twice while pregnant, once in the first trimester and once in the 2nd. I think I was only around 22 weeks when I cruised in my second trimester. I didn't have a note either time; I called RCCL during the 2nd trimester one to try and see exactly what I needed and they were very relaxed about the whole thing and told me I didn't need a note or anything just as long as I was conforming to their regulations. My biggest issue was trying to guess 8 weeks in advance what I was going to weigh when scheduling a helicopter excursion we were taking while in port.

 

Cruising (or vacationing really) while pregnant was fantastic, especially during my first trimester. It was one week where I didn't have to get up, go to work, cook, clean, etc. etc. all while being exhausted. I felt so much better after that week on the ship.