to go to Notting Hill carnival whilst pregnant

[happygonicky]

Will be 5 1/2 months and feeling very well generally. I haven't been for a few years and my only concern is the crowds and getting too squashed. Do I go on the 'quieter' Sunday or just relax and go on the 'more lively' Monday? Any top tips about good, quieter viewing spots or is that a mad question? Thanks in advance!

I've only been once so no good advice about quieter spots, but I'd go. You can generally tell if somewheres getting too crowded so you can think about if you want to move away.

Go both days! Don't know any quieter spots at all at carnival I'm afraid, but if you are feeling pretty well then there's no reason why you couldn't enjoy the busy bits! My only concern would be being near a loo....

Great! Thanks!

I'd go and I had a crap / full of hassle pregnancy! I'm sure people will let you go ahead in the toilet queue if you ask nicely - I would :)

I dont know, used to go but went once when pregnant and it was horrible

massive crowds
scary incident with crowds
broken glass
no loos

if you have to go, go on Sunday not Monday

its been getting scarier as the years go by

I wouldn't personally. I used to be a regular, since I was a child.

The last time I went (year before last) it was awful. We were standing towards the back of the crowd near a popular radio station stage. Suddenly people started screaming, running and pushing (I had my young brother with me at the time) luckily we were close to a wall and I was able to push him against it to avoid the crush. A large group of teens came out of the crowd wearing masks and throwing objects into the crowd (metal, glass bottles etc).

This was on the Sunday, which is know as 'children's day'. There were children every where crying and screaming. One thing that has stuck with me was a mother with a push chair saying to whoever she was with "just take the kids and run!".

I won't be going again, especially not with children. All it takes is to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I'm shocked that they're not more accidents/ incidents reported.

That sounds scary. I used to go every year, but haven't been in the last three years since we moved out of London. Have to say that every time we went, we had a blast! One year I was using a wheelchair, and the other carnival goers and the police couldn't have been nicer.

It is sad if it has changed so much.

Actually, just read properly and it was a couple of years ago you went too. Maybe it depends whereabouts you are on the route?

If it was me, I would probably go when pregnant but now I have toddler who insists on walking everywhere!

NOT now I have a toddler, can't type today!

I don't go anymore, since I got stuck in a crowd unable to move, with my feet off the ground I was so packed in, while thugs shoved us all from the back. Just one of several incidents that day, but really frightening. Unless you can get a fixed vantage point somewhere I really wouldn't. Shame, as I'd love to take the kids to carnival.

I would go to panarama is when they have battel of the floats it susually a couple of days before in hyde park

I live on the route, so have been pregnant, with a baby, with a toddler....
It will be fine as long as you are sensible. Would suggest being somewhere from where you can leave easily - e.g. Westbourne Park Road, the Westbourne/ Cow end - you're on the route, can always cross over to go the food stands and stages around Powis Square, but you can also leave really easily. Plus, the floats generally look really good as they've just been past the judges on Great Western Road. Have fun!

Food for thought, thank you. I do remember, years ago, feeling a bit scared at one point in a crowd, but loved it a
part from that. As I say, I'm feeling very well, but I generally don't love crowds...

I've been thinking the same thing. Love love love carnival and have not been for a few years. Currently 19 weeks pregant and would love to go and have a good shake on down. I'm lucky that I have a friend that lives in the area, so its mainly the getting through the crowds from the station.
I agree with Puffykins find a point where you can watch the procession on the edge. When I used to go with my family and young children we used to stay near the Harrow Road part and then it was easy to get out when ready. My other advice would be to go early so that you can leave early and miss some of the crowds. Have fun!

Thanks, 2blessed. We live nearby so I can leave if I have enough and hope to go early too. Thanks for Harrow Rd tip.

Why not? If you feel well and aren't uncomfortable then go for it. If I remember I felt pretty good at 5 1/2 months, was still fairly small bump wise and not too tired, so I would have gone. Just wear comfy shoes :)

YANBU, I used to go every year including with newborn DS. Agree with Puffykins though - definitely go to a quieter spot (work it out before you leave home!) and know how you'll get out in a hurry if you need to.

Maybe my advice is rubbish tho, as I was foolish enough to find myself here when heavily pregnant...

I wouldn't due to lack of toilet facilities, time spent standing, but most importantly due to the risk of accidentally being pushed etc. I say this as a Londoner who has been and avoided it while pregnant.

I'd definitely go.

We usually hang around at the junction of Ladbroke Grove and Basset Road or Chesterton Road. It's relatively quiet there, with lots of side roads for a quick exit.