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Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Pregnancy

Acceptable to festival when pregnant?

41 replies

DimplePeach · 02/09/2016 22:33

Im completely gutted about missing Bestival! (Best amazing most wonderful festival on the isle of wight) its next weekend and I have been dreading it since I found out I was pg (totally not planned). I go every year its literally the highlight of my year and its always an amazing experience, this year my absolute fave band is playing absolutely soul crushed to miss them and being a local I cant really escape all the hype of it all! My partner is dead against me going, he does worry about baby (his first) but I get the impression its more to do with the fact he thinks it would look bad for a pregnant woman to go and I would be frowned upon rather than the safety aspect of it all! He actually says that bit before the it not being safe. Il only be 15 weeks then, so not huge. Im a pretty experienced festivaler so I know to stay out of the crush etc and generally how to stay safe. Also camping is not an issue for me im a taxi ride away from home so if I get tired its home in 20. I can pay extra for the fancy loos too so I really dont see the big problem! Am I a bad mum for wanting to go? Would I actually be frowned upon lol? Im not going anyway now to save agro but would just like to hear what you guys think!! Hes making me feel really guilty for even thinking about it! To be honest I am bloody missing socialising too!! and bestival is always the time I see all my friends at once. Finding it hard to think about the next 6 months of not going out :( it sounds awful but I really valued my saturday nights out I work bloody hard in the week and have my 7 year old 24/7. Feeling a tad depressed and rather lonely

OP posts:

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Andbabymakesthree · 02/09/2016 22:35

If you feeling up to it then go!

LucyInTheSkyWithDonuts · 02/09/2016 22:39

Of course you can go to a festival and in nights out! Seeing your friends is very important to your well being and happiness. Just be sensible and don't do anything that makes YOU uncomfortable. Your DP sounds a bit of an arse tbh, you are not just an incubator...

daisygirlmac · 02/09/2016 22:42

I'm 18 weeks and I went to Leeds fest last weekend it was great! The only thing was I got knackered towards the end but the mud was really heavy and walking around was hard work. We just stayed out of the crush as you say and I made sure I sat down whenever the opportunity arose. Go for it!

LittleBoat · 02/09/2016 22:43

Sounds like you have thought it all through, and as someone who found herself in the middle of a crazy Spanish festival crowd complete with rampaging horses, at 6 mths pregnant, I would say go.

FathomsDeep · 02/09/2016 22:44

Of course you can go if you want to. Why on earth not? How could it possibly harm your baby?

Does your DP have dorm for being a controlling arse?

elephantoverthehill · 02/09/2016 22:49

newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/47966000/jpg/_47966846_iowp4.jpg

This lady managed it in the 70s. Ok I know it was the Festival not Bestival. I think you should go but maybe keep out of any mosh pits.

CelticPromise · 02/09/2016 23:08

Of course it's fine. I went to one recently at 17 weeks. There were much more heavily pregnant women than me there, can't imagine anyone thought anything of it.

nennyrainbow · 02/09/2016 23:12

Of course you should go! Where did you get the idea that pregnant women shouldn't go to festivals? The family friendly festivals I have been to ( Latitude, Camp Bestival, end of the Road) have always had plenty of visibly pregnant women. And that's just the ones who are far along enough to notice.
I went to Glastonbury when I was 11 weeks pregnant with DC1, and End of The Road festival at about 4 months pg with DC4. Glasto was harder because it was so big and wherever I was always seemed to be miles to the nearest toilet. EOTR was easier as it was tiny. We camped at both - wouldn't even have occurred to me not to.

DimplePeach · 02/09/2016 23:21

Its really nice to hear you all saying the same!
Problem is one his closest freinds has just had a baby, his second and her first, and his gf has been so over the top with caution while she was pg she makes me look completely reckless! No tea no coffee absolutely no alchohol organic free range flipping everything. I had a pinot spritzer and a medium stake at a family meal and apparently its slippery slope (to what?! Eating pate off a swordfish and drinking vodka from the bottle!?😂jesus) so she would never go to festival! He seems to want me to be like that! Pa! Shes always been ultra sensible and her boyfriend has always been a major influence on my OH. Sick of constantly being compared! Which will lead me in a totally different direction with this so Il save the rest of that for another time.
He seems to forget I have grown and birthed one perfect healthy child already! Even with one cheeky pint cider a week.
I did bring up going about 6 weeks ago and it turned into a huge row so I dare not!

OP posts:

elephantoverthehill · 02/09/2016 23:28

Dimple surely you would be going with friends who would look out for you. Where's the problem?

ShowOfHands · 02/09/2016 23:30

You dare not? That's quite worrying.

I went to festivals when pregnant. My eldest went to her first festival at11 weeks old. It's perfectly fine. Your relationship is not.

blinkowl · 02/09/2016 23:35

You are growing this baby, not him. His role is to support you in your decisions unless they are totally reckless (the vodka swordfish thing for example ).

Going to a festival is fine.

MarklahMarklah · 02/09/2016 23:35

I went to a three-day festival, without DH when I was 4 months pregnant. I helped pitch the tent, carried stuff about and danced all weekend.

DD is now a very healthy, robust 5 year old, and comes along to the same festival with me every year. DH comes along too to put up the tent now! :)

When I was pregnant I ate cheese (including the blue mouldy stuff) and had the odd glass of wine.

squeezed · 02/09/2016 23:38

I thought you were going to say that you were 8 months not 15 weeks. Definitely go if you want to. We took dd2 who was 11 weeks to camp Bestival this year and i was still recovering from a tricky pregnancy, but it was fine. I know that it's more sedate than Bestival, but there were lots of pregnant women there.

lovelilies · 02/09/2016 23:39

I went to Leeds festival in 2013 when about 4/5 months. Only bad thing was not being able to sit down at all because of all the mud!

BikeRunSki · 02/09/2016 23:41

Eh??? Your partner round hate me, I went skiing even I was pg! If tut are feeling ok, then go!

BertrandRussell · 02/09/2016 23:46

"did bring up going about 6 weeks ago and it turned into a huge row so I dare not!"

That is a massive red flag.

Are tickets still available?

DoorKnee · 02/09/2016 23:48

I did Isle of Wight Festival at six months pregnant. People were lovely, letting me use the loo first and all sorts, really helpful. I had to do some manoeuvring to get off the air bed in the mornings though. I don't know why anyone would frown upon it, its just camping and listening to some live music!

isittimeforarainbow · 03/09/2016 03:44

Definitely go! Particularly if there is no camping involved (that would kill me!)
Surely the worst risks are a queue for the loo or lack of seats?

SharkBastard · 03/09/2016 05:35

Go go go and bloody well enjoy yourself! I'd go if I weren't such a drinker...I can't imagine doing a festival without my cider!

Fizzyjo · 03/09/2016 07:29

I went to v festival at 23 weeks I think - I took my maternity card and was allowed most the time to use the disabled loos by the disabled seating area. When it was quiet they also let me sit in that area as well (it was pouring a lot of the day). They did advertise this possibility on the website so wasn't being cheeky asking so check that out. I also took lots of little snacks so didn't have to rely on the heavier meals they sell. I was tired early on so left before the headliners but in hindsight I would have got there later to see the better acts as it was more fatigue that it being late. I also stayed out the crowds and guarded myself a bit. All was fine - apart from the baby only liked all saints and little mix so my gender prediction is a girl haha.

notinagreatplace · 03/09/2016 07:58

I'm 33 weeks and at a festival right now... There is more sitting down and less dancing but it's absolutely fine.

You don't need your DP's permission, you know, you talk about him like he's your dad and you're 14

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Hughpughbarneymagrew · 03/09/2016 08:01

I went to a festival at 10 weeks pregnant. Camped and everything. No probs

MrsKCastle · 03/09/2016 08:04

Festivals when pregnant are absolutely fine.

But that's not the real issue, is it? Your partner thinks he has a right to control you because you're carrying his child. What else do you 'not dare' to do in case it upsets him?

albertcampionscat · 03/09/2016 08:10

Go to Bestival. Am with others who worry that he sounds possibly controlling.

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