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Original poster

To go to Florida 24 weeks pregnant with toddler

26 replies

numberonepartyanthem · 23/04/2025 15:11

my husband is working in Orlando in early June when I will be 24 weeks pregnant, we live in the uk,
he’s asked me to come along with our toddler and enjoy a week in the sunshine by the pool (Hilton Orlando) whilst he works. We will fly out and travel together.
Whilst there it will be me on my own most days but a friend who also has a toddler might meet us there (her husband works with mine),

I was hoping to go to Disney world for a day, as the hotel is only 20 minute shuttle bus away and it may be our only chance to go (we are only paying for my flights as his work cover the hotel etc etc)

I’m clouded by excitement but I want someone rational to tell me - is this a good idea or bad idea?

I feel pretty well in this pregnancy so far and have my 20 week scan early May and I’m hoping all will be well (if anything found and advised not to fly obviously I won’t)

OP posts:
araiwa · 23/04/2025 15:24

I wouldn't be anywhere near the USA whilst pregnant

NeringaCS · 23/04/2025 15:28

araiwa · 23/04/2025 15:24

I wouldn't be anywhere near the USA whilst pregnant

Maybe a blue state, but definitely not Florida. OP - in Florida, if anything (God forbid) goes wrong with your pregnancy, the doctors may not be able to act definitively to save your life if the foetus still has a heartbeat - even if it is no longer viable.

SaladSandwichesForTea · 23/04/2025 15:33

I'd book the 7 day ticket because

  1. The queues will be so long that you'll be fed up of it by lunchtime.
  2. A week is a long time by the pool with a toddler.

Book 7 days and consider it an investment in not feeling stressed.

I'd suggest:

  1. Get there first thing, do the rides which will be most popular to minimise queue times
  2. Do some shows
  3. Come home for a late afternoon in the pool and an early night.

Have fun! X

Eta - you can also make the most of the little kiddie parks, some of which I think are inside (Dumbo?) And may be helpful in the heat of the day.

GiveMeWordGames · 23/04/2025 15:33

What they said. Do not be pregnant in Florida.

IstayhomeonFridaynight · 23/04/2025 15:41

Too risky to be in Florida when pregnant - something minor could go wrong with the pregnancy, and you could be in huge problems, as they consult with hospital laywers over how to treat you rather than getting on with saving you.

Also, you could get unlucky at immigration, and get a border official who thinks that your husband is visiting for work and bringing his family with him as he doesn't plan on going home, so you could get refused at the airport.

I really wouldn't go, too risky for you and the baby

BownnTown · 23/04/2025 15:43

I wouldn’t go anywhere near America right now, pregnant or not.

Plus I’m assuming you’re white and don’t speak Spanish? Because if not you’d be crazy to go anywhere near the place

WeHaveTheRabbit · 23/04/2025 15:43

I wouldn't travel to the US at all these days. The fact that you are pregnant makes my advice even more empathic: don't go. And I say that as a US citizen.

2chocolateoranges · 23/04/2025 15:48

I wouldn't want to sit on a flight for that length of time but TBH since trump has been in power I think nobody should travel there and see how that affects their economy.

OneAgileTraybake · 23/04/2025 15:58

echoing above, absolutely no way would I be going to Florida whilst pregnant

NeringaCS · 23/04/2025 16:01

I’d also worry about being refused entry at the border if they think you’re trying to give birth there to get your child US citizenship.

BownnTown · 23/04/2025 16:04

NeringaCS · 23/04/2025 16:01

I’d also worry about being refused entry at the border if they think you’re trying to give birth there to get your child US citizenship.

Very good point!

GroupDiscountOnTheBusToHell · 23/04/2025 16:05

Not a chance would I do this.
Go to Disneyland Paris if you want to do Disney.
Personally I can’t wait for universal over here. I can’t imagine going to America again tbh, and I’ve been a dozen times to visit a close relative over there.

BownnTown · 23/04/2025 16:07

GroupDiscountOnTheBusToHell · 23/04/2025 16:05

Not a chance would I do this.
Go to Disneyland Paris if you want to do Disney.
Personally I can’t wait for universal over here. I can’t imagine going to America again tbh, and I’ve been a dozen times to visit a close relative over there.

I absolutely loved America and DH and I would go yearly. Wouldn’t step foot in the place now and I have no desire to ever go back.

PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 23/04/2025 16:09

If you go then you need cast iron travel insurance that covers the baby as well as you - as soon as they are born they will be classed as a whole new person and will need their own travel insurance and you will be knackered if they’re born prematurely.

coxesorangepippin · 23/04/2025 16:13

Unless you've amazing insurance, then no, I wouldn't

Rocknrollstar · 23/04/2025 16:14

If you are taken ill in Florida the doctors cannot do anything that might harm the baby as they will be charged with carrying out an abortion. Women are actually sitting in hospital car parks bleeding.
Apart from that, why would anyone 24 weeks pregnant chose to fly and what rides do you think you can go on?

TomatoSandwiches · 23/04/2025 16:16

Why would your husband ask you to put yourself in such a precarious situation? Is he stupid or just another oblivious male?

CottageGoblin · 23/04/2025 16:18

Nope

Solocatmum · 23/04/2025 16:18

araiwa · 23/04/2025 15:24

I wouldn't be anywhere near the USA whilst pregnant

This!!!!
It’s not a safe place for pregnant women or their babies.

WeHaveTheRabbit · 23/04/2025 16:27

WeHaveTheRabbit · 23/04/2025 15:43

I wouldn't travel to the US at all these days. The fact that you are pregnant makes my advice even more empathic: don't go. And I say that as a US citizen.

Edited

I'm embarrassed that my post includes a typo! Of course, I meant emphatic. <Slinks away in shame.>

ItsCalledAConversation · 23/04/2025 16:29

I’m quite shocked by this thread. Presuming you’re fit, well, can cope and want to go, I’d go, OP.

123EndOfRope67 · 23/04/2025 16:36

The responses are hilarious. I live in the region and go to Miami and Orlando a lot. The medical facilities are incredible (several of my friends have gone to Miami for maternity services). US border doesn't care about you being 24 weeks pregnant if you have a return ticket and reason to be there. I was there at 31 weeks pregnant for my babymoon and they didn't bat an eyelid.

What I will say is Florida in June is hot and with a toddler and heavily pregnant that may or may not be doable. I would have found it quite uncomfortable to go on a long flight with a toddler but you've done this before, so you can be the judge of that.

Long flight, toddler, heat, mostly by myself while DH works = not a lovely holiday for me.

NeringaCS · 23/04/2025 16:49

123EndOfRope67 · 23/04/2025 16:36

The responses are hilarious. I live in the region and go to Miami and Orlando a lot. The medical facilities are incredible (several of my friends have gone to Miami for maternity services). US border doesn't care about you being 24 weeks pregnant if you have a return ticket and reason to be there. I was there at 31 weeks pregnant for my babymoon and they didn't bat an eyelid.

What I will say is Florida in June is hot and with a toddler and heavily pregnant that may or may not be doable. I would have found it quite uncomfortable to go on a long flight with a toddler but you've done this before, so you can be the judge of that.

Long flight, toddler, heat, mostly by myself while DH works = not a lovely holiday for me.

Once upon a time they didn’t care. Just like once upon a time they didn’t care about young German hikers and backpackers or Canadian business owners. In case you hadn’t noticed, things have shifted quite substantially in the last couple of months.

And on the subject of Florida’s maternity care, are you unfamiliar with the story of Anya Cook? After her waters broke at 16 weeks, there was zero chance she would be able to carry her baby safely to full term, but as long as it still had a heartbeat she couldn’t access a termination. She ended up having a massive haemorrhage and nearly died.

https://eu.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/08/22/dnc-anya-cook-florida-abortion-law/74911640007/

Florida woman describes near-death from state abortion law at DNC. Who is Anya Cook?

Florida woman Anya Cook took the stage at the DNC to talk about losing nearly half the blood in her body due to the state's abortion law.

https://eu.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/08/22/dnc-anya-cook-florida-abortion-law/74911640007/

HiddenInCubeOfCheese · 23/04/2025 16:50

I’d go…

The one caveat I’d make is: don’t do what my friend did going to Miami…wear a Baby on Board badge.

Heathrow freaked out. US freaked out.

Baggy top!

WeHaveTheRabbit · 23/04/2025 17:02

There have been several cases of women who have not received appropriate treatment in pregnancy due to Florida's draconian laws, with devastating results. And if the asinine "fetal personhood" bill passes, medical care could become even harder to access.

Stay away from the US. Stay away from Florida.