in thinking that late stages of pregnancy and rollercoasters don't go well together?

[ScentedLovePuff]

Lowdown - I was at Alton Towers a few weeks ago, queueing to go on Spinball Whizzer (or whatever the heck its called).

There was a lady in the queue a few people ahead of us, queueing with her two children. She looked 30+ weeks pregnant (lovely round, very prominant bump). She reached the front of the queue and helped her older child into the car, when she tried to load her younger one the ride attendant stopped her, measured him and said that he couldn't ride without an adult as he was too small.

She promptly climbed into the carriage with him, restrains fastened and they were off.

Some people in the queue were protesting, saying she shouldn't ride in her condition (there is also a sign at the ride entrance saying the ride is not suitable for pregnant women etc) but the ride op (who was only about 19-20 bless him) said there was nothing he could do to prevent her riding if she chose to.

The restraints on the ride press into your stomach (I don't know if anyone is familiar with them) not the best picture I had a c-sec 12 months ago and I found the pressure on my stomach uncomfortable, so lord only knows how she felt, and its quite a rough ride, could that be dangerous for the baby?

Don't get me wrong, she must have been in an awkward position, and have potentially disappointed her child if they couldn't ride after queueing, and I hope that her and her baby were absolutely fine. I'm probably being a nosy git, but I was concerned for her and her bub.

Opinions? Biscuits?

[Bumperlicious]

Ahhh monster munch were my 1st semester snack of choice. That and coco pops. Morning sickness gives me the eating habits of a 7 year old!

[MrsC2010]

I thought the same thing. Given that she gave up drinking while TTC as well as recommended by himself whilst he (as you can tell by his stature) is an erstwhile drinker...

Luckily my husband is a far more sensible/enlightened soul...I'd love to see him try 'banning' me from something!

[mistletoekisses]

OP - YANBU to be shocked. I would have been. The thought of going round a roller coaster while preggers makes me feel a little queasy even now.

But I think the attendant did the right thing. It was her choice to make...

[MPuppykin]

Mrs C2010 you were very restrained to just raise an eyebrow. I recently had a male frind of ours (no children) ask me if I miss drinking and when i said i did, but never mind, only 3 weeks or so to go he said in truly shocked tones 'oh but you CAN'tdrink while breastfeeding' .

1. He has no idea if I plan to breastfeed (and that is none of his busines either).

1. There is no way you can tell me in all seriousness that if you carefully time when you have the odd glass or two of wine well that it makes a difference.

I agree that your friend should give up alcohol too if he is demanding it of his wife.

What has amazed me about being pregnant is that the baby becomes the 'publicly owned baby' with everyone dictating to you about what you should do or no do or whatever.

[Bumperlicious]

Yes I think if DH put a no drinking edict on me I would say the same to him.

[xstitch]

mrsC2010 shouldn't he give up drinking in suppot?

[MrsC2010]

That was my thought Bumperlicious, I was really surprised by him as we've been extremely close friends for over 10 yrs and he knows I've never been a big drinker anyway! I just raised an eyebrow at him and took a sip of my virtuous pint of water anyway. (We were in a pub and he had been drinking.)

[Bumperlicious]

Mrsc2010 what a twat!

[MrsC2010]

I got told by a friend whose wife has just announced her pregnancy that he'd heard from DH that I had had the odd very weak spritzer and he didn't want me giving his wife ideas, as he had 'banned' her full stop. I told him what the current recommendations were and he declared them a 'load of crap', but that his wife was 'too sensible' to drink anyway.

[5DollarShake]

If you come from a family where alcoholism is a problem, then it probably it pretty difficult to wrap your head around the fact that most people drink in moderation, and just because a pregnant woman is enjoying, say, a glass of wine, doesn't mean she can't do without it, or that it's a regular feature in her day/week/life.

I will be meeting up with a couple of girlfriends this evening in a pub and will have no shame whatsoever in going into one, being nearly 32 weeks pregnant. I may or may not have a small glass of wine - I have had the odd glass since going into the 2nd tri, and thoroughly enjoyed them.

I know the recommendations and being an intelligent woman I have assessed the risk and am happy with it - as I am with the sorts of foods I eat and those I avoid.

If anyone else has a problem with me behaving such, well, it's certainly their problem; not mine.

Great post Edgar, by the way.

[skihorse]

YABU.

I went on one at 27 (?) weeks. I saw the picture with the line through the pregnant tummy and thought "meh, I'm not that pregnant". I loved it and my little boy was doing a jig too.

I figured if it was going to make my baby fall out then people would be having heart-attacks, hernias and prolapses left, right and centre.

Oh and I had a few margaritas last weekend and they were fucking lush. Brie sarnie anyone?

[Emster30]

Well last night I was in the pub and bought my round which included a lemonade for me but wine for my colleagues, and I am very obviously pg (33 weeks). I would have been incensed if anyone had pulled me up on it - the booze wasn't for me!

(Mind you I did have a half of lager first round, and it was bloody lovely! Wouldn't have wanted any more booze but it went down a real treat).

[MPuppykin]

[stands and applauds EdgarAllenPoll]

[EdgarAllenPoll]

when i finish this pregnancy, i'll have spent something like 2.5 years of my life pregnant - and yet more time on top of that with small babies.

there is no evidence at all that moderate drinking harms a pregnancy (and yes, people have tried to prove a link, many studies have been commisioned) so all the sanctmoniousness 'oh its only 9 months' etc -can it, there is no evidence of harm - and it is never just 9 months.

Social isolation and depression on the other had definitely does have a negative effect on pregnant women - being eternally subjected to judgy atitudes from other people does not help this. The person (usually friends who don't have kids yet) who looks at you for having a prawn mayonnaise sandwich, for doing even moderate exercise, for drinking caffeinated drinks and indeed for having a nice glass of something to wind down a the end of the day, or to 'join in' at a social occasion.

I fail to see why it is anyone elses business to prevent a pregnant woman going on a rollercoaster - foetuses are used to beign the wrong way up!

[MPuppykin]

t is funny too what some people would not consider doing while they are pregnant, compared to others. For example, a friend of mine (on her DC3) would not dream of having a single cup of coffee at all, and has told me off for my single morning cup of instant (which I refuse to give up). yet, she drinks a half glass of red wine every single day, which I personally would not feel confortable doing. (I drink a half glass twice a week.

Horses for courses.

But I would never dream of going on a roller coaster even not pg. My idea of hell on earth really.

[muggglewump]

I climbed Sydney Harbour Bridge in the very early stages of pregnancy, even though it did say you weren't supposed to. I didn't tell them. I knew I'd never get the chance again and it wasn't at all risky, well I don't think it was. I flew longhaul a few weeks later too, which is fine, besides it was the only way to get home.

DD loves to hear about how she's been up the bridge in my tummy

[Bumperlicious]

I think for some women the stress of giving up smoking may be more detrimental than a few fags a day. Pregnancy is stressful enough as it is. I'm not saying I agree with it, but being fortunate enough to not to suffer from that addiction I wouldn't presume to tell others what to do.

I have not given up the following things:
wine
runny eggs
hot baths
and I even went in a jacuzzi for a little bit though the guilt just about outweighed the incredible good it was doing to the rest of my body so I only went in for 5 minutes.

You balance the risks sensibly. Still the thought of going on a rollercoaster at the moment just makes me want to vomit!

[pigletmania]

I am playing devils advocte here, but could the woman simply be overweight. My friend is about a size 18, and has a bump that looks lie she is about 7 months pregnant, its high up and round, and she has been congratulated on her 'pregnancy'

[tootyflooty]

having children is a privilage and if a woman can't put aside her own needs for 9 months I think that is pretty poor. I've never smoked and don't like alcohol so I can't speak from experince, however I did give up soft cheese and cut back on the chocolate when I was pregnant!!, ( not quite the same I know) but I felt responsible for the little person i was carrying, and wanted to give them the best start possible, medical advise often changes, but definatly smoking is a real no no, and that does get my back up when i see pregnant women smoking, they should think about this craving before becoming pregnant.

[chipmonkey]

As someone who works with the public, I would think I would have the right to refuse someone something if they are later going to turn around and sue me for allowing it. Supposing something did happen to her baby? Would Alton towers be liable?

[SirBoobAlot]

I'm shocked they let her on TBH. Though actually I am quite impressed she managed to even get in the ride - not a bloody chance I would have been able to!

As for mother VS baby rights... I think you have to decide for yourself. I did drink on and off whilst pregnant, a glass every now and again. I was happy with that. I was told by a friend who is a midwife that it was okay, and I was reassured. IMO I think you have to be safe and practical, but also not put your life on hold - lets face it, everything goes tits up once the baby arrives anyway