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 wouldn't go non-pregnant. Why would you do that to yourself?

Could you run after a child who made a break for it?

Last year I ran a Cub camp, and then accompanied my DDs Yr5 class on a local trip a few days later. I think the class trip was more stressful... I didn't know what those kids were like. (Andcthe hysterics over bees and spiders....) . Unknown children are exhausting.

If it gets eaten by a lion, then it's a result all round
Let it go....

If you do go take a winter coat, Whipsnade has its own microclimate and feels freezing all year round (sorry, not helpful in deciding!)

This is a very personal question as it completely depends on your pregnancy. I had horrible HG with both my pregnancies (requiring a tube in my stomach, constant IV hospitalisation etc) but my BFF had an amazing pregnancy and was still working out, running, cycling, sea swimming etc up until she gave birth. Check in with your body - are you feeling more tired than usual? Are aches beginning to pop up? How exhausted are youat the end of the day? If you think you are still fighting fit - go for it. If you are not feeling it, then put yourself first.

The point of volunteering is so you can make the kids a priority on behalf of the teachers - watching them, helping them etc. It's exhausting mentally being on high alert all the time.
If you want to go for a walk at Whipsnade that's one thing - but you are going to watch and help with the kids so this is not really about whether you could physically manage the walk.
I suspect the school would not accept you I am sorry because its adding to their health and safety assessment.

Nope. That particular zoo is massive.

No. It's different to a day out with family when you can take it at your own pace.

You won't be able to nip to the toilet at the drop of a hat and if it's hot you might not want to be on your feet all the time.

Not a chance in hell but I have horrific pregnancies. I don't see the problem if you feel well though.

How old are the kids? If it's reception or year one, they won't be marching them around for miles. But if older it could be a loong day! Depends on how you feel in yourself, 28 weeks for me would have been fine, but I was fit and a regular hiker back then anyway.

Why not? I’m 30 weeks and just had a 4 day. City break in a hot country with walking all day. You’re pregnant, not ill.

I would leave my place to someone else first frankly.

If you were going on your own, it's likely you'll be absolutely fine - or you wouldn't have considered it in the first place.

Being responsible for kids, not being in charge of schedule or rythm? Not great.

If being pregnant is no big deal, why are the teachers on this thread saying they’d politely decline the op’s offer to volunteer? It’s because it is a greater risk (yes even if nothing does happen) that’s unfair to place on herself or those on the trip. But nice bit of bragging there, not sure what your holiday has to do with a school trip.

All well and good saying that if you have never had a complicated pregnancy. pregnancy can make some people very ill. Not everyone is the same.

Well....I can only go on my pregnancy experiences. I would have rather died. And I probably would have done.

I not only had a complicated pregnancy but I was exhausted and uncomfortable, and I think I was on mat leave by 28 weeks I was so unwell.

So I say no.

You think a day out herding (presumably) fairly small kids about, where you can't take a seat and have a rest whenever you need to is the equivalent?

Oh boy.

I wouldn't as you won't be able to just rake yourself off for a rest if you start to struggle or feel unwell.

It's not the same as going as a family where you can your day short or go and sit in a cafe while your partner takes over.

See I was thinking the opposite that reception/year 1 walk slowly and prob won't cover the same distance but might be more likely to run off/need toilet breaks/need their shoes done up/fall over etc. Older kids might be more sensible or need less intervention!

No I wouldn’t do it. Whipsnade is vast. If you are looking after children you need to be able to run after them.

I would have, but I had two very easy pregnancies, wasn't overly big at 28 weeks and was still going to the gym. That said I was doing the horses and mucking out full term so I'm probably not the one to ask! It's certainly no failure or weakness to not think you'll manage it, everyone feels differently.

Will the teachers want you to do it, in terms of their risk assessment? What if you get too tired to keep up?

I would have managed, but everyone's pregnancy is different. My bladder was fine until the last couple of weeks but I'd be thinking about whether you'd need toilet breaks on a trip like this.

So glad to be past the hell of school trips now!

Do not go

I think that this thread is a good way of dividing the teachers / parents who have helped on a “big” school trip and those who aren’t / haven’t. 🤣

@PitterPatter3 if there are enough volunteers excluding you then no, don't do it

You may be up for it but you will need to check the schools view.

Obviously if anything happens when you are there they will need to help deal.with you which takes staff/volunteers away from the children.
DH is a HT of a primary school. 2 staff are pregnant and they have risk assessments done to ensure they are covered for any eventualities on trips.