SS Q: Swimming pools / theme parks late in 3rd tri

[Widget123]

Now this may sound ridiculous, bear with me.  I want to take DD to Sesame Street Place, which is a theme park a couple of hours away from where I live, during Memorial Day Weekend when the water attractions open.  I remember from DD being a summer baby that when she was a newborn I had zero desire to take her to a theme park (the IL's wanted me to) so if we were going to go this year it would have to be before this LO is born and I imagine it wouldn't be as much fun for DD without the water attractions (she loves water).  I will be 35 weeks + a couple of days by then.  I know there would be a risk that we wouldn't be able to go or would have to go home at the last minute.  I feel that the risk of me actually going into labor while away is small enough that I am willing to chance it (bearing that my OB doesn't bring up any serious concerns or my body doesn't give me any clues).

I know there will be crowds and I should take it easy and stay hydrated.  I also plan on talking to my OB about this both at my appointment next week and my appointment right before we plan to go.  One of the things I assumed was that I wouldn't be able to go into wave pools, lazy rivers, or anything like that (not sure what they actually have) similar to the restrictions in the early postpartum period, but when I looked it up online the consensus seemed to be that swimming pools are safe in the third trimester as long as my water hasn't broken, I haven't lost my mucus plug, my cervix isn't dilated, etc.?  I know that is a lot of what-ifs.

Any other thoughts on this?  Other than I am nuts? 

[alayne926]

I think swimming pools are safe (with the exceptions that you already posted), but would not do wave pools or rides. I would like lazy river would be fine as your're just sitting in a tube and floating. I think the biggest obstacle would be the multiple hour long car ride, heat, dehydration and just 3rd tri uncomfortableness.

[dmoney]

I don't see why the lazy river would be a no go..essentially it is a long skinny swimming pool that you just Float in...If i had a gym membership to a pool right now I would be in it (32 weeks +2 days) swimming or even just relaxing. But i say talk to your OB and if she gives you the okay then go for it!

[ladymouse]

I went swimming in the ocean during the third tri last time. It was awesome. Like really awesome. As in as soon as I found out I was pregnant, I started looking at good third tri dates to go to the beach. (Sadly, we only have one good weekend, but DH is taking two days off, and we'll be there for 3 days.) It was the only time I felt GOOD during the third tri last time, and the only nights I slept soundly. I'm not having as much hip/pelvic/back pain as last time, so it probably won't be such a dramatic relief this time, but oh man... Think about the relief of a bath, and multiply it times at least 10.

Avoid hot tubs, and some rides would have restrictions. I don't recommend swimming in waves for the FIRST time while pregnant, but seriously... Swimming is a perfect form of exercise for pregnant women.

[veggiemo]

We just did a water park a couple weeks ago. Obviously I was much earlier than you will be, but here is my two cents anyway. I felt a little over-worked with the constant getting in and out of the pool, and lifting DS in and out. I took him down a few of the toddler slides and the sitting down, standing up to get out, lifting DS out of the way once we landed at the bottom, was putting some pressure on my belly. So just make sure you take it easy, because I sure did not. The lazy river is fine, it was the easiest of the attractions and luckily DS's favorite. DS was so excited and did lots of jumping and kicking and swimming and my belly took quite the beating. Just be careful.

I also went into the hot tub area whenever I felt like it. Only for a few minutes at a time, but it was just fine. You didn't mention if your DH would be joining you (I assume yes) so I would just talk with him about it beforehand and make sure he knows he's going to need to help more than usual. I made a few comments to my DH about how I was feeling like I needed to slow my roll and he pretty much brushed me off. But that's just his personality, I assume most men would be a tad more concerned

[ajm11]

I think you're good to go. In fact, I think a lazy river sounds incredibly relaxing, especially late in third tri!

[Widget123]

Apr 14, 2015 11:33:17 GMT -5 veggiemo said:

We just did a water park a couple weeks ago. Obviously I was much earlier than you will be, but here is my two cents anyway. I felt a little over-worked with the constant getting in and out of the pool, and lifting DS in and out. I took him down a few of the toddler slides and the sitting down, standing up to get out, lifting DS out of the way once we landed at the bottom, was putting some pressure on my belly. So just make sure you take it easy, because I sure did not. The lazy river is fine, it was the easiest of the attractions and luckily DS's favorite. DS was so excited and did lots of jumping and kicking and swimming and my belly took quite the beating. Just be careful.

I also went into the hot tub area whenever I felt like it. Only for a few minutes at a time, but it was just fine. You didn't mention if your DH would be joining you (I assume yes) so I would just talk with him about it beforehand and make sure he knows he's going to need to help more than usual. I made a few comments to my DH about how I was feeling like I needed to slow my roll and he pretty much brushed me off. But that's just his personality, I assume most men would be a tad more concerned

DH said that I might want to use a motorized scooter (if they have one on hand for handicapped people) on the trip.  Joking, obviously.  Yes, he would be coming. 

[veggiemo]

Widget123, well aside from the joking, hopefully he will be more helpful than mine! Here is how our conversations went:

Me: I think I need to take it easy. With all the lifting and up and down, my belly is feeling a little over-worked.
DH: Oh man, that's not good. Ok, I'm going to get in line again to go down the big slide.

Grr.

[Widget123]

Apr 14, 2015 11:50:22 GMT -5 veggiemo said:

Widget123, well aside from the joking, hopefully he will be more helpful than mine! Here is how our conversations went:

Me: I think I need to take it easy. With all the lifting and up and down, my belly is feeling a little over-worked.
DH: Oh man, that's not good. Ok, I'm going to get in line again to go down the big slide.

Grr.

Yeah my DH is like that too with a lot of things, but he really isn't the amusement park type so hopefully he would pay enough attention to DD.

[tatersalad]

I did a lazy river and all kinds of pools in third Tri with my first baby. Unless your doctor has concerns that would prevent you I think you would be fine. I personally can't wait to spend the last two weeks of this pregnancy in the pool. Come on Memorial Day!

[bendherova]

Apr 14, 2015 10:52:58 GMT -5 alayne926 said:

I think swimming pools are safe (with the exceptions that you already posted), but would not do wave pools or rides. I would like lazy river would be fine as your're just sitting in a tube and floating. I think the biggest obstacle would be the multiple hour long car ride, heat, dehydration and just 3rd tri uncomfortableness.

I agree with all of this. 

My OB has asked that I stay in town after 5/1.  I'm not due until 6/21 and I have no history of pre-term labor.  

[silv3rlining]

I agree with PPs. The water should be fine. Other rides not so much. Not sure why lazy river would be an issue...

If concerns check with your OB

[ladysif]

I also agree with PPs and a lazy river sounds awesome. However, I've always obeyed the no travel 6 weeks before due date rule because our insurance won't cover it otherwise. I don't want to be $20,000+ in debt because I went into labor outside of their zone and couldn't make it back. A friend did this and ended up paying for an ambulance ride 3 hours back home, risking giving birth along the way, because her insurance wouldn't cover her delivery where she was. She made it, thankfully, and paying for a 3 hour ambulance ride was definitely the cheaper option but man I would not want to be in that position. I know you wouldn't go if labor is on your radar, but my friend wasn't expecting it either. Just another consideration!

[Widget123]

ladysif that is a scary enough possibility that i will call my insurance and make sure that isnt the case. Thanks!

[ladysif]

Apr 14, 2015 16:01:12 GMT -5 Widget123 said:

ladysif that is a scary enough possibility that i will call my insurance and make sure that isnt the case. Thanks!

No prob. Hope the park is within your "zone" so to speak and you can go enjoy it worry-free!