Week 17 - Cruising With Baby
May 18, 2006
Everyone says to get your travel out of the way before you have kids, because after you’re a parent, your footloose, fancy free days are gone. So, my last who-rah was a cruise around the caribbean while I was 17/18 weeks pregnant. A good idea in theory, but somewhat depressing when you’re watching everyone else guzzle their free rum, and you’re sitting around wondering whether or not the fruit juice has alcohol in it.
For the most part, the cruise was amazing, and tons of fun. But, I would definitely suggest that if at all possible, try to not be pregnant while cruising - there are lots of people in the caribbean who would love to give you free booze, and you can’t help but feel like a party-pooper when you go to bed at 9pm entirely sober while the rest of the boat stays up to party ’till the wee hours of the morning.
I can honestly say that I have taken my kid to more bars that I can to count. I am also completely ready with a witty come-back about travel if my kid ever complains that we never take him/her anywhere. I did have to make my travel companions promise that the next time we take a trip I am not pregnant (so, according to my calculations, I should be looking forward to that in 20 years or so…) 
I love reading your posts, Sara. You should join my mb http://www.bouncy.org.
Crae
Hi Crae - I’m glad you enjoy the blog! I checked out your message board and signed up, it seems quite interesting!
Sara
I am 18 weeks pregnant and I began feeling my baby move about a week and a half ago. I love feeling my baby move and I am very excited because today I go for a 3-d ultrasound to determine the sex of my baby.I hope that they can tell what I am having, I’ve wanted to know since day one.(I’m praying for a girl!)Good luck everyone.
Hi Kristen - congrats on the baby! I hope your 3-d ultrasound went well and that your baby cooperated so that you could find out the sex! Please let us know how it went!
I must admit you had me cracking up because my husband and I just came from the Caribbean last week;since I am 18 weeks pregnant I had to say no to all the free booze. I travel a lot so I am hoping having a baby won’t slow me down too much. Love your posts.
Hi Leonice, congrats on your pregnancy! It is unfortunate timing to be pregnant on a cruise though, isn’t it? I imagine that your little one will be an excellent traveler since you’re obviously starting them early (hehe). Xander is going to Lake George with us next month, and then to New Orleans with us in May, so hopefully he’ll get used to the travel as well. Good luck!
I am just now reading these blogs and worrying with fear because I too will be cruising around the Caribbean while pregnant — 24 weeks pregnant at the time! Being that I am not a huge drinker I plan on slugging down some virgin coladas and daquiris. I hope that will satisfy my urge to drink. What I am most concerned about is the fact that I cant do any activities like swim with dolphins or climb a waterfall! I’m sure it will still be fun though!
Hi Danielle - congrats on the pregnancy, and I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time on your cruise. We found that we had the most fun when we hired a local to drive us around and see the sights. We did swim with turtles and climb up to a waterfall, but with both excursions, it would have been almost as fun to watch from the boat (you could still see the turtles) and to wait in the cabana (where you could still see the waterfall). It’s not quite the same experience, but it’s nearly as good. Enjoy all the virgin drinks you can, and make sure to ask your waiter about alcohol in any desserts you have - I know that on our boat, nearly every dessert had alcohol, so I ended up with alternative or no dessert. Have a great time!
I am 17 weeks 18 on Saturday, and I feel the little guy kicking around, my ultra sound was just amazing he was playing with his ears, flip flopping and yes we found out it’s a boy, my only question is why some days do I feel like theres nothing there???? I dont know if thats odd but, I honestly dont feel pregnant some days…do you ever have this feeling???
I have been keeping track of “Being Sara” for 17 weeks now and have enjoyed everybit of it!! My DIL is also 17 weeks today (aug 23) Pam..and she said the very same thing as you!!! She has days that she doesnt feel pregnant, and I think I am right when I told her, “that’s because you are in the “honeymoon” phase now!! you’re not feeling ill, and the baby is still pretty tiny, so the baby bump is still relatively small. You are very lucky my dear…some girls are quite ill still at 17 weeks..or suffering from indigestion/heartburn. So enjoy your pregnancy, soon you will start to blossom..and trust me…LOL you will definately be “feeling” pregnant.
Hope this post finds you girls all feeling great
im 17 weeks and god am i sik … but some days i feel ok and im high risk and in bed ,cant wait till its over ,wish all of you good luck on your new babys !!!
I am 18 weeks pregnant with my 3rd child. I have 2 girls already so I am hoping we are carring a boy. I should get my ultrasound in a few weeks to see what wwe are having. Evelyn holyoke, colorado
hi there im 17 weeks tomorrow and still dont feel any movement is that normal? i had a scan last week an they told me everything was looking great and i was having a little girl im so excited.
Hi Kelly, congrats on the baby! I wouldn’t worry at 17 weeks if I were you - especially after just having an ultrasound and them telling you everything looks great. Some women don’t feel anything until 20 weeks, sometimes 22 weeks or later! So relax, and start thinking up your favorite girl names! If you’re still worried in a few weeks, call your doctors office, I’m sure they’ll be able to make you feel better about the whole thing, and then before you know it, that little girl will be kicking you just as you’re trying to sleep, and you’ll love it
Take care, and please let us know how you are doing!
Hi I am just over 17 weeks pregnant and am not feeling the baby move, i did alittle bit fluttering and now nothing is this a normal thing… this is are first child
Hi Jennifer - congrats on the pregnancy! Even though they say you can feel a baby’s kicks as early as 16 weeks, in my experience, and in the comments I’ve seen here on this blog, there is a large number of women out there who don’t feel movement until 20 weeks or later. I would suggest having patience for a few more weeks, and before you know it that little one will be keeping you awake at night with his or her tap dancing routine. Good luck, and please keep us posted on how you are doing