Feb

2010

9:55am, EST

My gold-medal moment: Powering through Disney while pregnant

From MSNBC.com news anchor and reporter, Dara Brown

For my son Hayden's fourth birthday, my husband and I decided to take him to Disney World. At the time, I was seven months pregnant with our second child. Since I couldn’t fly much closer to my due date, we stopped at my in-laws in Florida, then headed to Disney for three days. Hayden was so excited, and of course we wanted him to have the time of his life. We hopped the bus to the Magic Kingdom for day one, lunched with Tigger and Pooh and waited for every ride that allowed 42-inch riders. By noon on the second day, I saw a cart selling Mickey Croc’s and immediately traded in my way-too-tight sneakers for a pair as I powered through the Animal Kingdom.

But day three was the real challenge. My son was a trouper, my husband a champ for taking him on the roller coasters, and I was just in tow. While we queued up for our final bus ride back to the hotel, I stopped to brace myself on the rails. A woman waiting ahead of us turned to me and said, “Honey, are you actually trying to walk that baby out of you?”

I mustered a smile and realized, yes, it was finally time to slow down. What seemed like a three-day marathon for me was no Olympian feat, but certainly a trial run for my current endurance track as a small-business-owning, full-time-working, mother of two.

Renee-1649188

Your not the first and my guess is not the last. In fact I'm not real sure what the story is. That you went to Disney World at 7 months?

#1 - Tue Feb 23, 2010 4:02 PM EST

Virginia Voter

I went to Disney during my 1st trimester with my youngest. Morning sickness galore. Unimpressed. Not to mention I carried twins to their 40th week. If you want to know hardship. I laid on the ground for over 4 hours till my husband came home from work because I could not get my twin carrying butt off the floor.

1 vote

#2 - Tue Feb 23, 2010 10:07 PM EST

Virginia Voter

I forgot to mention. While I was nauseated walking through Disney on a hot day I had twin 4 yo in tow. I guess I win the gold medal in this competition.

#2.1 - Tue Feb 23, 2010 10:21 PM EST

Mika-1460022

Sorry, this is nothing. I carried my 3rd at age 41 and took care of my two others aged 11

1 vote

#3 - Wed Feb 24, 2010 9:12 AM EST

Mika-1460022

Sorry, this is nothing. I carried my 3rd at age 41 and took care of my two others aged 11 & 14 and went to every sporting event they participated in, including cross country, and ran up and down that 5K course every time. At 8 months I ran the last 100 yards with my oldest and screamed my lungs out to help her make her "letter" time. All this with severe knee issues, as in reconstruction, arthritis, and still needing replacements. We all do herculean things when we're pregnant. Big deal, you went on vacation.

#4 - Wed Feb 24, 2010 10:49 AM EST

vanillarose8

Wow!!! Holy cow :-O All you mommas need to take a MAJOR chill pill *shakes head* Where's the love?!? We're all mothers; we should be supporting & encouraging each other! Not tearing each other down!!

Why must EVERYTHING turn into a competition of trying to top one another?!? She was simply relating her experience. She has a right to do so! And good for her for not letting pregnancy slow her down. MANY ladies will not venture any trips/vacations in their 3rd trimester as many like to stay close to home. (or heck any other time in pregnancy)

Dara, I hope you & your family had an awesome time! Way to go for going it preggo for your son. *high five* Don't let all the old goats get you down ;) If we had the money, we'd so be doing Disney! I'm 15 weeks preggo with our 3rd & we have an 18 month old & a not quite 3 year old, so it would be a heck of an adventure :)

#5 - Wed Feb 24, 2010 12:04 PM EST

Mary Kat

Amen sister! I was shocked by the venom in the replies!! I don't understand why this had to turn into a contest.. as so many things do between women. There was no reason to lash out at this woman for sharing her experience. She wasn't looking for a medal and she even said "What seemed like a three-day marathon for me was no Olympian feat".

There's far too little support and encouragement amongst mothers and women in general. Let's put some of the "I'm better than you, I've handled worse than you" attitude down and try to understand and applaud each other a little more.

Dara: it sounds like you had a great time despite being exhausted. It's wonderful that you powered through so your son could have a great birthday! I'm sure he had a blast and that's all that really matters! =)

#5.1 - Wed Feb 24, 2010 7:40 PM EST

Kristin-1478323

It's all good that she powered through Disney while pregnant, but I think more of the issue here is that it made news. Lots of mamas do amazing things everyday while pregnant and don't get put on national websites. I think there are more touching stories that could be published to inspire mamas who are being pushed to their limits, but 3 days of vacationing at Disneyworld just doesn't seem all that inspiring that she made it.

#6 - Wed Feb 24, 2010 12:48 PM EST

obeygravity

I don't think this is supposed to be considered news, really. I think it's more of an inspirational editorial. I know many women (myself included) who have been hesitant to go on a trip while pregnant, and it's nice to hear that it can be done even if it was personally difficult for someone.

#6.1 - Mon Mar 1, 2010 11:10 PM EST

My gold-medal moment: Powering through Disney while pregnant

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