To go as a parent volunteer on class trip to Whipsnade at 28 weeks pregnant?

[PitterPatter3]

Genuine question. Don’t have strong feelings either way but interested to know whether others think this would be too much. I’m fairly fit but gather the distances there are large and there’s a lot of walking involved. I’ve not actually been there for years though.

I would have gone but both my pregnancies were really easy.

I took my son to whipsnAde for his birthday when I was 30 weeks and really wouldn’t recommend it at all. Whipsmade is HUGE, and i really didn’t feel great after. I would honestly give yourself a break.

You are pregnant not ill. Of course it's fine to go. It's a stroll for a few hours.

I would not have thought twice, especially at only 28 weeks. I had really easy pregnancies though and was very fit.

Whipsnade is absolutely huge and op will be looking after kids. It’s a not a casual ‘stroll’ at her leisure is it. And bugger off with the ‘pregnant not ill’ bollocks. Pregnancy can make you ill.

Depends how you are really. It is a lot of walking and you’re not going to be able to have a rest when you want, you’ll have to go round with the children and keep up with them. It will be a full on day. Personally I couldn’t have done it at 28 weeks it would have been too much, but I’m sure there are others who would be fine.

@MariaVT65 of course it can make you ill. However OP has disclosed nothing of the sort. Had she said I have SPD and high blood pressure then the answer would be different.

It's a completely flat walk. Yes it's a stroll. Not a mountain climb.

She asked opinions and that is mine. Yes I have had 3 pg and also know Whipsnade well.

Doesn’t matter if it’s flat or not. Going on a school trip round a massive zoo all day is not a ‘stroll’. Op won’t even be able to sit down when she wants.

It’s fine, hospital staff work on their feet all day every day when pregnant and definitely can’t sit down when they feel like it! Probably walk further than around Whipsnade.

Op if you feel fine and have no issues (high blood pressure, SPD etc) then go. You’ll be knackered at the end of the day, but you can rest afterwards.

As a teacher I'd probably be so grateful you offered but politely decline. I'd have to add you to the risk assessment and keep an eye out for you on the day.
Whipsnade is biiiiigg and school trips are exhausting when you're not pregnant. It's very different from going with the family and setting your own agenda.
Definitely give yourself a break and give this one a miss.

Given the hours and hours I spend filling out risk assessments for even a foot offsite I wouldn’t take you. Every single thing has to be recorded and the risks evaluated in micro detail. You must let the organisers know that you are pregnant.

Would I take my child on a trip like that 28 weeks pregnant? Absolutely yes.

Would I be a parent volunteer with a group of kids that were unknown to me? Absolutely not. School trips are hard work. You don't know the kids well enough to know who is likely to do what when. You are on high alert all day - they are knackering. Unless you volunteering is the difference between the trip happening and being cancelled, I wouldn't go.

I went about the same time with two friends. Had a lovely time, fairly warm. That night I had so much stomach pains it kept me awake and I ended up in ADAU. I think u did too much walking and thst was taking it at my pace and not that of kids.

Toilet situation was a little tricky at times..

I would say it depends on how easy your pregnancy has been and how physically fit you are. If you walk a few miles every day then go for it.

Fellow teacher here & I agree!

School trips are HARD at the best of times; especially little ones in a zoo!! 🤦‍♀️

I don’t think I would for the reasons @CumbersomeRobes said, it’s one thing on your own day out where you can set the pace but on a school trip it’s different and something else for teachers to be aware of

No, I wouldn’t. Because, to be blunt, even if you feel absolutely fine it’ll be an extra worry for the teacher and the purpose of the parent volunteers is to take some of the work off the teacher’s plate, not add to it. It would be really difficult for everyone if halfway through the day you start to feel as though you’ve overdone it. As PP mentioned, it also means additional risk assessments.

You will be there to look after other peoples children . Your own child might not be in your group . It is voluntary Work not leisure.
So no don’t volunteer- you can do that another year when you are not an additional risk for the poor teachers .

I would have done and it wouldn't have been a problem. But I had really easy pregnancies. It wouldn't have crossed my mind it would be a problem for me and I assume OP is also feeling fine to consider it

I wouldn't, unless for example my own child needed 1 to 1 support, but to support my own assigned group of kids who will inevitably play up a bit, dash off, need you to carry their water bottles or get lost... not a chance.

I’m not sure if the school would consider it a wise idea, particularly regarding a risk assessment. They can be funny about their own pregnant staff and zoos actually. Perhaps you could go but it would be at your own risk which sounds terrible - the school wouldn’t be responsible although I’m sure the teachers would probably be mindful of you. If you were in a group of other adults with children that could work, with comfortable footwear.

No, I wouldn’t have done it. Taking my own kids - yes with my second pregnancy, no with my first. They hit me differently!

But a school trip is different - you can’t go at your own pace, you can’t take a break when you need to, you’re responsible for a group of children who aren’t your own, including speeding up to catch up to them if necessary.

Also totally different to doing your normal job pregnant.

Constantly counting heads, checking to see where the next bit of mischief could occur, running after/reining in kids, no opportunity to sit and rest when you need to. The zoo has got to be the hardest school trip of all. Go with your own family or friends, sure, but don't put yourself through this.

You would be adding to the teacher's stress so no.

Oh, ffs.
Women and midwives have be batting on for the past 4 decades at least, about pregnancy being the most natural state, no medical interventions required at any stage, and we all shit moonbeams for years after birth.
It is a natural state. It doesn't regularly go wrong
Stop pampering and/or scaremongering

I had easy pregnancies but I wouldn’t. You need to be absolutely top of your game to manage a school trip. Especially to the zoo!

And you also need a bladder of steel - depending on the age of the kids for an adult to go to the toilet is generally more trouble than it is worth!