There's a Reason for the Pregnancy Rules

[kitty9]

I guess there's now at least one person who understands why the cruise lines instituted their new rules for cruising while pregnant. Those just off Celebrity Solstice's April 12 sailing reported they had to miss a scheduled stop because a woman, who was 8 months pregnant, went into early labor and had to be evacuated off the ship. Those on board reported that the woman allegedly lied about how far she was into her pregnancy so she could cruise. So, unless you want your child born in San Juan or some other island hospital, it's probably a good idea to follow the rules. After this I'm guessing the cruise lines will become more stringent about making sure passengers do follow their rules.

[WineDown17]

There's a reason for EVERY rule.. that is why they have them.

 

Clearly some have more serious implications than others.

 

Reagrdless of her choice, I do hope she and baby are doing well.

[crusinmama06]

Yep, nominating her for mom of the year. ;)

 

I don't get how she lied though. Unless she just looked fat. :D They are suppose to have a letter from their doc prior to cruising.

[kitty9]

There's a reason for EVERY rule.. that is why they have them.

 

Clearly some have more serious implications than others.

 

Reagrdless of her choice, I do hope she and baby are doing well.

 

 

Yes, there IS a reason for every rule, but even here on CC, there have been some women saying they didn't care about the rules and were going to cruise despite the fact that they will be beyond the 24 weeks.

 

cruisinmama, my mom didn't look pregnant with my sister until her 9th month. And with all these tunics that are so popular now, a small woman could hide a pregnancy. Also, a real heavy woman could mask a pregnancy also.

 

But I do hope the woman and baby are healthy.

[cb at sea]

Apparently, some women don't even KNOW they're pregnant! (According to a show on cable!!) They think they have a gas bubble, and "BAM"--a baby!

[crusinmama06]

Apparently, some women don't even KNOW they're pregnant! (According to a show on cable!!) They think they have a gas bubble, and "BAM"--a baby!

 

LOL! Yeah I never understood that either. They were blessed with an easy pregnancy/labor.

[WineDown17]

Yes, there IS a reason for every rule, but even here on CC, there have been some women saying they didn't care about the rules and were going to cruise despite the fact that they will be beyond the 24 weeks.

 

cruisinmama, my mom didn't look pregnant with my sister until her 9th month. And with all these tunics that are so popular now, a small woman could hide a pregnancy. Also, a real heavy woman could mask a pregnancy also.

 

But I do hope the woman and baby are healthy.

 

Is what she did wrong? ABSOLUTELY.

 

Do I think ALL rules should be followed-Yes again.

 

But I just dont feel right judging her.. its not my place.

[junglejane]

I can't help but be skeptical about this claim that the woman lied. Someone on the original thread claimed to have "inside information" that the woman lied. Somebody else on the thread claimed to know someone who was on the cruise who heard she lied. To me, this is rumor and hearsay. Maybe she did lie, but maybe she didn't and just went into very early labor. It happens. People, especially seniors, get on cruise ships everyday with a myriad of health problems. Mostly nothing happens but sometimes someone has to be med evac'd. I'll bet in lots of those cases you could look back at their health histories and decide they should've known better than to get on a cruise ship.

 

My point is just that we don't really know what happened to this young woman. Hopefully she and her baby are doing well now.

 

--Junglejane

[ilikered]

I leave in two days for our family cruise. I will be 18 weeks at time of sailing. I made my doctor check me over really well to be sure I was healthy enough to sail. I can't imagine not following the rules and putting your precious baby in jeopardy. That just sounds selfish to me. I have my papers in order and signed by my OB. I could have easily lied about being pregnant. I am a bit top heavy and carry a little extra weight so I just look fat not pregnant. Sad that people try and bend the rules.

[6rugrats]

I think the main point is that there are posters who come here and ask about cut-off dates for crusing when they are pregnant, and people have advised these posters to get their doctors to lie and write a note changing their due dates. I've read this many times. I don't know any doctor that would open themselves up to liability this way, but perhaps there are some that will.

 

I believe OP was merely reporting a story that illustrated why the cruiselines have this rule; it's simply not medically safe. This passenger put herself and her child at danger, cost the cruiseline a great deal of money and inconvenienced all the other passengers.

 

Did she lie on the paperwork? Did the cruiseline not check her documents? Who knows? In any case, the passengers on this cruise, IMO, have some very valid complaints about missing this stop.

 

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=972416

[Lady_Jag]

I'm scratching my head on this one, because it opens itself up to so many assumptions. :confused: Forgive me for rambling, but I need to "talk" this one out:

 

So, if she was 8 months pregnant and LIED, she would have to have lied about being pregnant at all, which might be possible for some women. Otherwise, she would have needed a note from her dr. that stated her due date, and no reputable OB would jeopardize their career just so someone can board a cruise ship.

 

So assuming that she lied about being pregnant at all, the only time she would have to worry about being "found out" would be when she checked in for embarkation. After that, who's going to see her pregnant belly (hidden or unhidden), figure out that she was 8 months along, or even go through all the channels to see if she presented proper paperwork when she checked in? In other words, she would only need to claim a non-pregnant staus at check-in.

 

Now, WHY would she lie at check-in? Well, she probably had this cruise booked in advance, long before she found out she was pregnant, and thought "this is going to be my last cruise for a while." Or perhaps didn't buy insurance and didn't want to lose the money she paid.

 

I'm not saying it was the smart decision to make, or that I fully understand that decision, but again, I think I might be onto her reasoning. It would be something like "I've been looking forward to this cruise for EVER and will never have this opportunity again! What are the chances of me going into labor early, anyway?" :rolleyes:

 

Anyway, if I were on the ship, I'd probably be a little annoyed too, but I think I'd be willing to chalk it up to someone just making the wrong decision and being fortunate that the consequences didn't include something more serious than just inconvienencing a bunch of people on a cruise ship.

[Onessa]

I too look at this story with some skeptisism (sp??). So often the stories are based upon "someone said she was 8M along" -- perhaps she was less and within the guidelines and had the unfortunate (and, at least to me, terrifying) experience of going into labor early. For medical reasons, I was induced three weeks early and that was more scary than I wanted (DD was 8'14" at birth even with the shortened gestation).

 

But even if the woman was within the guidelines, the story does point out why they guidelines exist. Here is another hope that Mom and Baby are doing fine!

[Julienatul]

I'll tell you, I was 23 weeks on my last sailing and I looked much bigger and no one ever asked me if I was pregnant or asked to see my doctor's note. So I could see how someone could slip by especially if they were heavier to begin with and wore baggy clothes. I would never risk it that late in the pregnancy. I wouldnt even travel (drive) to my in-laws 2 hrs away when I was 8 mo along. I didnt want to be too far away from my dr just in case.

[jhdoublin]

I was one week away from being too pregnant to sail on my New England cruise a couple of years ago. I didn't look that big but did provide the letter from the doctor, and definitely wouldn't have went to the Caribbean. However- no one even noticed I don't believe- or they didn't appear to. I can see how one could get on the ship if they didn't provide the info upfront that they are pregnant.

 

Now, any woman that would take a chance with their baby purposely at 8 months - well is flat out nuts- sorry. Not only for the baby-but for her own life as well. Things happen to mom during birth also. Not to mention that the cruise was probably in a country without proper OB care.

 

Before 6 months- baby doesn't have a good chance on making it, 8 months is a different story.

 

If she lied- she should be ashamed that she put her own interest ahead of the life of her baby, I don't care how much her cruise cost her. If she didn't know she was pregnant or thought she was less than 6 months-that's different.

 

The cruiselines really need to offer a money back policy or change the dates of their cruise to women who book early and then become pregnant. Not too many women would have a child just to get out of a cruise, and it would be a whole lot less money and headache for the cruiseline to give a refund than to have pregnant women cruising at more than 6 months. Maybe they should start charging a fine to those who try to get away with this type behavior that ends up in this situation-that was on purpose

[wrp96]

The cruiselines really need to offer a money back policy or change the dates of their cruise to women who book early and then become pregnant. Not too many women would have a child just to get out of a cruise, and it would be a whole lot less money and headache for the cruiseline to give a refund than to have pregnant women cruising at more than 6 months. Maybe they should start charging a fine to those who try to get away with this type behavior that ends up in this situation-that was on purpose

 

Well, truly they already offer a money back policy. You can cancel and get your refund back up until final payment time on most cruiselines. Unless you are completely unaware of your body, a women should know by the time final payment is due whether or not they will be too pregnant to cruise (60-70 days before the cruise means they would be at least 14-15 weeks pregnant at final payment time).

[beachchick]

I can't help but be skeptical about this claim that the woman lied. Someone on the original thread claimed to have "inside information" that the woman lied. Somebody else on the thread claimed to know someone who was on the cruise who heard she lied. To me, this is rumor and hearsay. Maybe she did lie, but maybe she didn't and just went into very early labor. It happens. People, especially seniors, get on cruise ships everyday with a myriad of health problems. Mostly nothing happens but sometimes someone has to be med evac'd. I'll bet in lots of those cases you could look back at their health histories and decide they should've known better than to get on a cruise ship.

 

My point is just that we don't really know what happened to this young woman. Hopefully she and her baby are doing well now.

 

--Junglejane

 

Perhaps some people should not cruise due to health issues. The older we are, the more likely we are to have health issues. But the bottom line is that people with "a myriad of health problems" who go on cruises are risking no one's lives but their own. A pregnant woman knows she can be risking both her life and her baby's. IMO, that makes it a world different from someone who is 90 and in poor health who decides to have "one last hurrah" before the end.

 

I'm scratching my head on this one, because it opens itself up to so many assumptions. :confused: Forgive me for rambling, but I need to "talk" this one out:

 

So, if she was 8 months pregnant and LIED, she would have to have lied about being pregnant at all, which might be possible for some women. Otherwise, she would have needed a note from her dr. that stated her due date, and no reputable OB would jeopardize their career just so someone can board a cruise ship.

 

I tell you, if I knew an OB/GYN would lie about something like that, I'd be finding a new doctor immediately. I can't imagine any doctor being so foolish, unprofessional, and reckless, but I suppose you might be right that some do exist. Sad to consider, isn't it?

 

So assuming that she lied about being pregnant at all, the only time she would have to worry about being "found out" would be when she checked in for embarkation. After that, who's going to see her pregnant belly (hidden or unhidden), figure out that she was 8 months along, or even go through all the channels to see if she presented proper paperwork when she checked in? In other words, she would only need to claim a non-pregnant staus at check-in.

 

Yep, that's what many women say they would do: Lie about being pregnant because they don't want to deal with the cruise lines' rules.

 

Now, WHY would she lie at check-in? Well, she probably had this cruise booked in advance, long before she found out she was pregnant, and thought "this is going to be my last cruise for a while." Or perhaps didn't buy insurance and didn't want to lose the money she paid.

 

Most travel insurance, except the "cancel for any reason" kind, isn't going to cover "I have to cancel because I'm pregnant." Besides, if she was in fact 8 months along, she knew months ago that she would be too far along for the cruise line to allow her on the ship. She may well have decided not to cancel because she figured it would be her last cruise for a while--How incredibly selfish. (This assumes she was 8 months or at least beyond the cruise line's rules.)

 

I'm not saying it was the smart decision to make, or that I fully understand that decision, but again, I think I might be onto her reasoning. It would be something like "I've been looking forward to this cruise for EVER and will never have this opportunity again! What are the chances of me going into labor early, anyway?" :rolleyes:

 

I'm saying flat out: If she was 8 months pregnant, she made a selfish and foolish decision. We all know that one of the things that goes along with becoming/being parents is putting the well being of our children ahead of our own desires. Of course I'm not saying that children mean we need to give up being ourselves, being adults, and making our lives solely about our children. Not at all. Just that our children's safety and health must come before personal desires.

 

Anyway, if I were on the ship, I'd probably be a little annoyed too, but I think I'd be willing to chalk it up to someone just making the wrong decision and being fortunate that the consequences didn't include something more serious than just inconvienencing a bunch of people on a cruise ship.

 

I'd be a lot annoyed and not willing to chalk it up to someone making a wrong decision. Those are the times I'd be wondering why it is we have to get licensed to drive, to own a gun, to do almost everything, but don't need to show any responsibility before we are allowed to become parents. Of course I'm glad to hear that mother and child are well. I wouldn't wish the new mom ill, not ever.

 

I leave in two days for our family cruise. I will be 18 weeks at time of sailing. I made my doctor check me over really well to be sure I was healthy enough to sail. I can't imagine not following the rules and putting your precious baby in jeopardy. That just sounds selfish to me. I have my papers in order and signed by my OB. I could have easily lied about being pregnant. I am a bit top heavy and carry a little extra weight so I just look fat not pregnant. Sad that people try and bend the rules.

 

Congratulations! I'm betting that you'll be a great mom because you've taken the time to do what's right for you and for your baby. Have a blast!:D

 

Drink plenty of fluids--remember they can make all those yummy, fattening drinks without alcohol and this is the time to "splurge" on extra calories! Bring ginger capsules, just in case, and ask your steward for crackers and apples every day. Really helps. Be careful in the sun because pregnancy hormones can affect how our skin reacts. Take this opportunity to pamper the heck out of yourself and get lots of rest--As we can all tell you, you'll be happy you did that now during those sleep-deprived times all new parents have. And most of all, just enjoy every minute.

 

beachchick

[jhdoublin]

Well, truly they already offer a money back policy. You can cancel and get your refund back up until final payment time on most cruiselines. Unless you are completely unaware of your body, a women should know by the time final payment is due whether or not they will be too pregnant to cruise (60-70 days before the cruise means they would be at least 14-15 weeks pregnant at final payment time).

 

 

Yes, that is true and should work for most responsible parents. However, the ones like the situation that we are talking, or maybe first time moms that don't realize the difference in the way they look and feel at 3 months vs 6 months thinking they will be ok and try to sneak on anyway.

 

It would just be better for the cruiseline to offer their money back even at the last minute -hopefully the mom would change her mind and do the right thing.

 

It would save a lot of trouble,risks, and money for everyone-including the other passengers that have had their vacation affected because of the situation-which I would be pretty ticked off if I had my plans changed because of the ignorance and irresponsibility of this type situation.

[Julienatul]

Well I am sure this woman is paying for it one way or another. From what I researched when I was pregnant, travel insurance would not cover complications related to pregnancy and even if they did, knowing insurance companies, I highly doubt they would pay if she knowingly broke the rules and sailed at 8 mo pregnant anyway. So if this is true, I bet she has a hefty medivac bill on her hands. I just pray her child is ok.

[luv2travell]

i work for level 1 trauma in QNS NY. a lot of a passenger in JFK that have an emergency goes to us i seen all kinds patients from having a heart attack have to much to drink or just gone crazy on the terminal they get admitted in mental health and most of the time we escort them back to there country paid by the family yesterday a 4 1/2 pregnant women came in from JFK on her way to PR mid air she bleeds and was rushed in the hospital sadly it was to late for the baby boy and the:mad: hubby main concern was to sign out her out AMA so they can catch another flight out .i tried to let them see the fetus for the last time but they decline so just took a few pic and handed it to the mother and left the room

[sdgirl1967]

I agree with junglejane--I dont want to read into what really could be rumer too much. I hope the woman made a sound decision for herself and her child. On my first cruise we were late to a port because of a pregnant woman -- she was 4 months. She miscarried. So you never really know.

[d-dubya]

Given the number of times I have missed a port, been diverted or delayed, or sat dead in the water while a helicopter or Coast Guard ship evacuates someone for a medical reason, I am not sure why this is such a big deal...Is this woman any worse than the people with other medical conditions who hop on a boat, knowing they are not really healthy enough to travel? I am sure she, and they, figure "hey, there's a doctor on board"

 

I am not saying she was right, and I would probably be annoyed if I missed a port for this reason, but let's not be too harsh. She is certainly not the first to make a borderline decision, that turned out in hindsight to be a mistake.

[Julienatul]

The issue is not that she risked her life and health. It's that she put another life at risk, her baby's. If someone with a chronic condition wants to cruise they are only putting their own life at risk not someone else's. I agree she felt nothing would happen and if it did the dr could take care of it. However knowing there are risks and that pregnancies can become high risk at any different time,she should have cruised earlier or waited later. I cruised pregnant with both of my children but never at a time when I would place their life at risk.

[Cruisin' Chick]

I imagine if she did have a note from her OB-GYN that intentionally had the wrong due date on it, and if something did go wrong with the pregnancy because she couldn't get the right kind of carein time...that doctor would have been in a lot of trouble.

 

When I cruised pregnant, it was before a doctor's note was required. But I did talk to my doctor and get his permission (I was about 4-1/2 months or so along). We hadn't booked the cruise more than a couple of months (maybe less) before the sailing date.

 

A few months before that, the wife of my boss at the time had a major problem at 26 wks: her water broke. She was at home at the time and got to the hospital, where her son was born within a couple of days.

[lephysteria]

Our babymoon cruise was when I was 15-17 ish weeks pregnant with James. I am very heavy so I didn't really show any belly baby bump (imho) until I was 5m along.

 

I do have a very unhealthy addiction to cruising. ........

I don't think I'd be brave enough to take chances and sail if I was past the recommended date. I know DH wouldn't let me !!!!

 

But my embarkation for the Carnival Sprit in Feb 08 went very smoothly. They didn't ask for a doc's note. My friend who cruised the Monarch in Jan 08 when she was 21 weeks (and is thin as a rail) was obviously showing and wasn't asked to present a doc's note either.

 

I just feel bad for any cruising woman, who much like my best friend, has a lot of tummy fat and relatively thin arms. See my friend is always being asked when she's due, and she's not even pregnant. I would hate to be the port agent to ask that type of woman to see her docs note, and she then screams .... "What doc's note ... Im not pregnant, you jerk!"

 

By the way, any word on that woman's baby? I hope they are doing well and they all got back to their home port safely.

[*Kendra*]

I agree with junglejane--I dont want to read into what really could be rumer too much. I hope the woman made a sound decision for herself and her child. On my first cruise we were late to a port because of a pregnant woman -- she was 4 months. She miscarried. So you never really know.

 

 

How terrible!!! That poor lady!

 

 

I really hope the baby and the mom on this cruise are alright.