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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

70 replies

ScentedLovePuff · 05/06/2010 09:56

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?

OP posts:
MrsGravy · 05/06/2010 11:26

Actually current government advice is that you shouldn't drink at all. But that's because they found the advice to drink in moderation was confusing for some numptys people and they drank too much. The NICE says 1-2 units a week in the 2nd and 3rd trimester is fine - there's no evidence of it doing any damage at all. So as long as you know for sure how many units are in your alcoholic drink and stick to the guidelines there is no reason to think you're doing your baby any harm whatsoever. Certainly no reason for a pregnant woman to feel ashamed at walking into a pub and ordering one small glass of wine.

fryalot · 05/06/2010 11:26

I'm still curious about why nobody else offered to go on the sodding roller coaster with the kid so she didn't have to and it wouldn't be an issue?

plantsitter · 05/06/2010 11:26

Sanielle, I agree. And I think the government should set up a hotline you should call if a pregnant woman is seen having a drink, a smoke or a cup of coffee. Or swearing, because you just don't know what can filter through that bump. Then they should all be placed in a special sanitorium for the rest of their pregnancy to make sure they don't indulge themselves in any way and keep that baby safe. It's only her body - it's society's baby, eh?

MrsC2010 · 05/06/2010 11:26

Haha, meant to add that given the size of me there is no blumming way I could see myself actually fitting on a rollercoaster right now!

sanielle · 05/06/2010 11:29

Waitingforbedtime: I understand you serving the woman if you felt you had to(sorry you had to really, it is bound to make you feel shit!)..

Just made a point that I wouldn't, I grew up around alcoholism and it is probably for that reason I have a strong suspicion for people who can't cut it out for 9 months. The problem is they could be like your customer drinking all day!

I also didn't mean to imply someone should feel ashamed for walking in to a bar, but for going in to a public place and happily drinking in front of everyone like it is ok. I seem the same on my High street with the smokers makes me feel sick. no shame..

ignore me though I have been told I have poor punctuation and therefore don't know what I am on about!

ps congrats on your PG, I am 8 weeks nearly and gutted because I already have tix to Alton towers booked next week!

sanielle · 05/06/2010 11:30

squonk, there were already people on the roller coaster, I suppose the person next to him would need to be a guardian?

EricNorthmansmistress · 05/06/2010 11:34

Where is the research that demonstrates that fairground rides are a risk to foetuses? Is there a genuine risk, or is it like the advice to stay out of jacuzzis and steam rooms - ie there is a tiny risk commensurate with the risks inherent in daily life but the manufacturers don't want to get sued?

People need to chill the fuck out. Foetuses are pretty resilient.

thesecondcoming · 05/06/2010 11:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsChemist · 05/06/2010 11:41

Actually my brother (he's a pub manager) was telling me that there was a big hoohah in a pub chain a bit ago about a manager refusing to serve a pregnant woman. She had drank a jug of vodbull (or something equally alcoholic) and was ordering another.
The manager said no, and was threatened with the sack after the woman complained.
The manager contested being sacked saying that as a manager he has a social duty to protect his customers, and that he considered the unborn baby a customer.

Dunno how it ended though, but it's a unique way of looking at it.

One thing about refusing to serve pregnant ladies though; if it became the staffs' responsibility to stop serving them, then it also becomes their liability IYSWIM. Women could sue the pants off pubs for letting them drink, if it had an adverse effect on their babies.

Anyway, back to the matter at hand, I sure as hell wouldn't get on the Spinball Whizzer whilst pregnant , but it's the woman's prerogative. If she felt she and her baby would be safe, then there is no stopping her.

sanielle · 05/06/2010 11:50

Thank you.

Yes, it is my first, gave up boozing to ttc 3 years ago though.

(If it makes you all feel better and just a bit smug, due to severe morning sickness I subsist almost entirely on supernoodles.)

So I am not a by any means the perfect picture of a pregnant woman. I just think not drinking and smoking makes sense.

sanielle · 05/06/2010 11:52

In defence of my typos I have somehow set my my mumsnet (only mumsnet btw) to very small.. and can't fix it. Typing a message is even smaller and I can almost just about read it.

thesecondcoming · 05/06/2010 11:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

sanielle · 05/06/2010 11:58

I suppose you have a point there!

btw
a muti vitamin tablet (that I mostly don't sick up)

is the same as 5 a day right?

Bumperlicious · 05/06/2010 11:58

I wouldn't do it, just because I would be completely paranoid, it's this woman's right to do so.

Funnily enough DH and I have been debating over my sister's smoking when pg (she has cut down). DH thinks it is wrong and judges her for it, but I don't know if it is because she is my sis, or because I am pg or because of the MN feminism influence, but while I hate smoking myself and think it is bad in pg I completely defended my sister's right to do what she liked.

Being pg seems to leave you wide open to judgement and comments on anything from what you wear to what you say. I was berated for swearing during my last pg and men apologise when they swear in my presence . Another delightful colleague keeps telling me that I'm going to need a bigger chair soon and my boss keeps commenting on me stuffing my face and suggesting he'd like to poke my bump (I told him I would break his fingers if he did).

Firawla · 05/06/2010 11:59

im suprised they let her on, i think its v irresponsible of her + the attedant to let her go on

MPuppykin · 05/06/2010 12:01

Plantsitter - pmsl at your 'swearing' filtering thru the bump comment. I had a colleague tell me off for swearing 'fuck' under my breath the day before in went on maternity leave because my flipping computer crashed. She said i shoudl not 'because you are going to be a mummy now'. I said 'The bump does not understand English yet'.

But really.

I'm leaving the other stuff well alone, except to say that I found a 9 year old mn thread on alcohol in archives and it seemed to suggest that the NICE recommendations then were 10 units a week. That was not that long ago..... and I do not see that many 10 year olds with FAS around. (None, actually).

MrsC2010 · 05/06/2010 12:02

I've totally got the cheap ice lolly diet thing going on too thesecondcoming!

MPuppykin · 05/06/2010 12:04

And I really HOPE that a multi vitamin is the same as 5 a day, because I have had an ince lolly fixation too!

thesecondcoming · 05/06/2010 12:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

sanielle · 05/06/2010 12:12

I do hope I am on food by the time I am as far gone as you... I can not stomach (pun intended) the idea of 18 more weeks of supernoodles with out crying

SirBoobAlot · 05/06/2010 12:19

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

chipmonkey · 05/06/2010 12:26

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?

tootyflooty · 05/06/2010 12:33

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.

pigletmania · 05/06/2010 12:39

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'

Bumperlicious · 05/06/2010 13:22

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!