Centre Parcs whilst pregnant?

[K8eee]

I'm only 8 weeks but dh and I are planning a holiday over the winter with some friends. We're thinking Centre Parcs. Dh and I had our minimoon there, but I'm well aware I won't be able to do and action activities or go down the rapids BIG disappointment. So I'm after some good ideas where the best places or holiday types are whilst pregnant, e.g city breaks, beaches?! Etc...or whether centre parcs is actually ok, and if so anyone who has experience of being there whilst pregnant, what can I do?

hey k8eee, im due to go to centre parcs in a month which will make me 7 months pregnant and to be honest, im planning on chilling in the swimming pool and they do a 'mum to be spa package' type thing at their spa which looks nice. Theres also less physical things to do which are still interesting like learning how to willow weave, but I'm really just going to relax and enjoy some time to myself and float around the pool before my life is turned upside down (in the best wayt possible of course) x

You can do everything apart from the rapids and slides. So if you think there's enough to keep you occupied then go for it. I'd be happy snuggled in a villa reading a book and stuffing my face with chocolate while watching squirrels.

I did centerparcs at about 8 weeks. It was great. Shame I couldn't take part on the mid afternoon shandies, but it was fine. Lots of walking, but lots of benches (which would be a help now at 31 weeks!).

I wouldn't go on the rapids anyway, but I was fine with archery (minus bump!), crazy golf and table tennis.

I love the idea of the mum to be spa experience. I'll never turn a spa experience down I am totally gutted I can't do the rapids or slides but I'm sure I'll be ok. I'm hoping we can get one of those really fancy lodges with the hot tub and games room; the hot tub will keep me quiet!

Don't want to party poop but are hot tubs advisable in pregnancy? Might be totally wrong but sure i read something?!

Hot tubs are a no while pregnant unfortunately, as are saunas/steam rooms, but other than 'action' type activities you'll be fine, by then you'll probably appreciate the rest tbh!

Paper clip that's what I wondered actually after posting. Was hoping someone could answer that for me? Isnt it the same advice as a sauna/steam room? And it buggers about with your blood pressure

Being preg didnt stop me going down the rapids.
They arent exactly fast. The only thing I didnt do was the white slides, otherwise ploughed on as normal.

www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/2402.aspx?CategoryID=54

No one really knows about safety of saunas and hot tubs when pregnant. I think if you're further on its less of a worry but I wouldn't spend ages in one, especially not a really hot one.

The rapids aren't fast but its other idiots like the stag group parties who don't give you any space and bash into you, land on top of you that would worry me. The lifeguards don't seem to stop people going down the plunge bits two seconds behind you and landing on you.

Monkey face, how many weeks were you? The thing I'm concerned about is that last time when I went down them I got kicked in the head

Thanks beaver, I think I'll speak to the midwife too!

I went to loads of places last year when pregnant with DS. Just about to go on hols again now and oregnant again

I did a ton of walking in New York last year. I think it's about just listening to how you feel. So sometimes I needed a rest in the afternoons but could go out later at night.
I try not fall into the pregnancy is a "speshul" condition mindset. The people trying to frame it as such are normally the ones trying to flog you some special, exprnsive, experience. Yes - you are more tired and yes - you can feel very sick. But unless I've been diagnosed with hyperemis or something that actually needs special care thankfully I wasn't I've just forged ahead as normal with rests as required and followed guidelines re avoiding saunas etc.

There will be loads to do at centreparks. You can still swim etc it's only a few things such as the saunas etc which aren't advisable.

I am slightly swaying towards the city break idea. Dh and I haven't had a proper honeymoon, and we kind of fancy going to New York (got married in feb so maybe some snow too!) but I am due the end of March and an unsure what the while flying when pregnant rules are

A city break would be lovely. I'm with gobbolino, it's a pregnancy not an illness so you just need to perhaps take it a little easier than normal but don't hold back too much. I've travelled to four countries whilst pregnant and done everything I normally would with exception of eating certain foods and drinking wine! The only thing I would say about New York was that my last flight was around 22 weeks and I was starting to feel quite unconfortable/twitchy after a few hours flying. We were on a budget airline so not as comfy as others but flying to New York at a later (bigger) stage would probably have been too much for me, though would have loved it once there. There are a few ladies on here that travel long distance for work and they may say you'll be fine at that point. If not there are some beautiful European cities around Christmas time? Or centre parts does sound relaxing! Either way make sure you do something!! :-)

we are going to center parcs in the new year when I'll be 37 wks pregnant! am really looking forward to just chilling in the pool and Jacuzzi's (they are never particulary hot!). the one thing I am not looking forward to though is the walking as im sure i'll have spd again as I did in my previous pregnancy's :(
I wonder if they'll let me do the mum to be spa thing at that late stage?

Another who went on the rapids while pregnant here...and I'm very risk averse. I'd rather do that than travel all the way to NYC while pregnant tbh!

ps if you go to centre parcs over winter they should have their Christmassy stuff which is magical

New York might be out if you want to go in Feb (I might have made that up in which case ignore me...) - airlines have different cut off dates for flying so you might find they won't take you long haul (or some even short haul) that late. If you're after a city break then Europe by train might be a safer bet?

I went when 8 weeks pregnant with dd2
I did lots of cycling, walking
No you cant use rapids, hot tub

Well I'm now thinking centre parcs after Xmas, and a trip abroad before Xmas. Will have a look into the whole flights and if I can travel though

Has anyone had the mum to be spa experience at centre parcs? If so what's involved?

You should be ok before Christmas depending on your dates/airline rules - but still might need a dr's letter to confirm you're fit to fly or something. Make sure your travel insurance covers pregnancy! Would be gutting for some reason to not be able to travel then find the small print doesn't give you a refund. (have had to choose airlines v carefully to be able to make a visit to dh's family over Christmas when I'll hopefully be about 32 weeks..)

Very jealous of you if you get to New York - it's an awesome city to visit

Thanks sunflowered I am really hoping we can go. Would be amazing in November too!

Im so fussy with who I fly with, and from having a quick browse looks like it would be BA or Virgin. Now just to convince dh that we should go!

I am going to Centre Parks in a few weeks with a pregnant friend and they emailed us the following regarding activities whilst pregnant! Hope it helps

Thank you for your email.

We do not have any restrictions on activities whilst pregnant, however we would ask your partner to refrain from using the rapid and flumes in the Subtropical Swimming Paradise and it is very likely she will get knocked by other participants.

I would also advised her not to use the Action Company such as the Zip wire and the Tree Trekking as the harness can put quite a bit of pressure on the stomach area if the participant was to fall off the course.

Anyone under 12 weeks pregnant would be advised not to use the Aqua Sana spa, Quad Biking and the Segways, however we can not stop your partner from doing anything she wishes to do, however we would advised this for her and the baby's safety..

If you would like to book a particular activity and you are unsure whether it is suitable or not for your partner please feel to call our Reservations Team who will be more than happy to assist you.

I hope this clarifies this for you.

If you require any further assistance or information, do not hesitate to contact us

We hav just come back from CP. I am 24/40 with 3rd DC and did all the usual stuff we do without any bother.
Dare I say you are being a little precious?
It is a self catering hol in a forest in the UK. All activities are optional.
You would be better to book in the central area if you can as the walking is a bit much for anyone if on the outskirts.
The swimming is fab, even at changeover time in busy school hols it wasn't too overwhelming. The jacuzzi type pools are not too hot. Lots of pools of varying temperatures and depths to choose from.
I have also been at 30/40 and wasn't held back from anything I would uually do, cycling, aqua sana etc.
We go to CP at least once a year as the kids absolutely love it. We are a bit lazy I suppose but there is something to be said for familiarity with 2 busy little people.
There are many who don't see the appeal of CP but each to their own.
The beauty for it for me being pregnant is being able to go back to lodge, put on pj's and curl up with a book or iPad whilst DH sorts out some food and runs a warm bath.