Do South Beach and pregnancy mix?
 

We're looking at a trip to Florida inthe next few months, and although we thought we'd like to stay in South Beach since evrything's walkable and it's where the action, is, I'm wondering, will it be any fun for me if I'm preggo?

Exactly how noisy and crazy does it really get? how much of it is a drinking (or sushi eating) culture of which I can't partake? Woudl I be better off loking at quiter resorts further north ( but still Miami Beach)? Yjanks for nay info!

That'll teach me to type quickly--that said Thanks for any info!

Just how pregnant are you? It would depend on how self-conscious you are. If it bothers you to be seen while pregnant (and I think it should NOT) then you will be uncomfortable there. Many women get a positive glow when they are pregnant and should fit in there just fine. I hope you choose to go.

I don't quite understand the issue.

It's all a matter of how you feel and will you feel like walking around.

The Lincoln Road scene and the clubs are interesting. Just sitting around sipping something can also be fun.

And the beaches.

Like I said, it's more a function of how you feel physically. Don't worry about the place. It's what you make of it.

You mentioned "that's where the action is." Will you feel deprived if you can't partake in "the action," or are you okay with just watching? Personally, I would have prefered something less frenetic, and more pampering, while pregnant. I'd be thinking about stretching out on a beach chair with a book, QT strolling the beach with husband, or spa, rather than exploring "everthing" that's "walkable," especially in the heat that will be arriving in the "next few months." Once you've had the baby a couple years, you'll probably be craving to partake in the So Beach "culture." I think I'd save the visit for then. But that's just me... I think you'll have a great time wherever you do go! Enjoy!

If it's going to be in the last few months of your pregnancy, be sure and check with your doctor. A lot will depend on how long you will have to sit to get there. And in a few months, it will be HOT.

Also, if it's near your due date, think about if you want to risk an early delivery in a strange place with an unknown doctor.

Frankly, no place would have been fun for me when I was pregnant. After I got over the morning sickness time, all I wanted to do was laze around in a recliner. Everyone is different. If your doctor gives the OK, you will probably have a good time.

Thanks for the responses so far...

I should be around 5-6 months at that time, and we'd be there in April or May, and from what I've been told the second trimester is when I'll be feeling fine, and I am a somewhat restless person...but relaxing in a nice comfy beach chair sounds divine, too.

But yeah, it WILL bother me not be able to go drinking or clubbing (and hubby too) when I can see everyone around me doing it; my bigger concern would be all the scantily clad model types walking along the beach who would make me feel ginormous and frumpy, and of course the fact that I can't find one nice hotel (which we can use our miles on) that is considered quiet.

So what would be a better Miami beach/resort place for us to go? We are still young (early 30's), we just need something a little bit more peaceful while still giving us lots of options (and we're going to Miami for a family event, so that's the area we'll be in regardless).

Is Coconut Grove a good place to stay? What about further north on Miami Beach? Coral Gables soudns nice but it seems like that's a place for old people.

At 5-6 months, you could still look pretty good in a bathing suit. There are maternity suits that take advantage of the fact that you will have a great set of boobs. Get one that's cut low in front with a sort of blousey top and high cut legs. Just don't try to let it all hang out in a bikini type. The snug one piece deals are not flattering either.

You could try a little further north in the Bal Harbor area. There is a Sheraton (beachfront, cool pool) there, and a few other non-chain hotels. Not as wild as South Beach, but not the "Gods waiting room" atmosphere either. You could also stay to the south on Key Biscayne. Coconut Grove isn't on the beach, if that's important. Either way, you could still go to SoBe for dining and entertainment. Lots of fun outdoor patios on which to dine, lots of good walking around, enjoying the ocean breeze and people watching. You may also be up for some dancing if there are any smoke free places to do so. As for feeling self-conscious around scantily clad model types, you can make them jealous just by walking down the street with a delicious ice cream cone.

We stayed at the Delano when I was pregnant and I checked out the next day. It was so noisy that I couldn't sleep. We stayed at the Ritz Carlton in Key Biscayne instead and I enjoyed it much more due to the luxurious accomodations/rooms/excellent spa and soundproof windows.

The Ritz Carlton South Beach is a great place to stay to feel a part of the action but it isn't too loud, isn't overrun with supermodels and is in the best possible location-- on lincoln road and a short walk from ocean drive.

I personally think that if you are in pretty good shape before you get pregnant, you can still look amazing when pregnant. Also, there is alot to do in South beach without having to hit the clubs. Great people watching, fantastic restaurants of all cuisines and beautiful weather. That said, if you think you'd be wishing you were clubbing and drinking, then maybe the key biscayne ritz would be more your speed. Up in northern miami, sunny isles is up and coming, but i don't think there is a ton to do up there-- not sure though. If i were pg though and headed to florida, i think naples would be my preferred choice.

I loved being pregnant and relishedevery moment of it. If i hadn't been put on bedrest during my second trimester, i would have happily gone to south beach or naples or wherever. Have fun and enjoy!

msjames, I love your idea about eating the ice cream cone! (well, of course I would)!

So, thanks all for the responses....I'm starting to think that I would enjoy South Beach during the day and as a place to go for dinner (and possibly an after dinner "drink" as well), and that we should just go back to a hotel a little ways out of the nuttiness when we're done with dinner. That way I won't be hearing loud music and partying all night while quietly reading in my hotel room, wondering just when in the hell I became so old.

We're looking at the Courtyard Marriott now (it's on 38th and Collins, and we can stay for free) and the reviews on Trip Advisor are good and the photos make it look great. From what I understand, we can cheaply and quickly cab it down to SoBE and back if we want to. Does that match anyone else's experience?

And where DOES one buy a maternity bathing suit? Can't I just plop a tanktop over my old bikini and hope for the best?

Check out a good maternity clothes shop. (yes, there are some that sell exclusively to the PG crowd) You'll probably want some nice looking clothes anyway. The one here always has bathing suits out. There will surely be one wherever you decide to go.

And yeah, you can just put on a Tee over your bikini. But I'm betting that you can't get it on by 5-6 months.

Enjoy, you'll have a good time!!

You will definately not want to stay at a noisy hotel, but there is plenty to do for you around the beach area and Lincoln Road.

As far as the way you look...the Latin culture loves to show it off, and you will see plenty of women walking around in all sorts of clothing, some exposing it all and others a little, and all different stages.

As far as the night life is concerned, then just change up the venue and hit a Jazz club like Jazid or Van Dykes, and leave the other clubbing venues to another trip.

Have fun!

P.S. you might be surprised to know how many men love a pregnant woman, and think it is indeed a very sexy state, so you shouldn't feel bad at all!

When I was pregnant and living in South Beach 14 years ago, it never entered my head that I was being deprived from nightlife and that models on the beach were making me feel inferior. I loved every minute of it...because I had a real life going on while most of the others were just trying too hard to be part of a scene.

South Beach is a SCENE - and if being pregnant amongst it is going to bother you, you might look elsewhere for a beach vacation.

BTW - babystyle.com has great swimsuits.
And there's a local Miami designer who makes awesome maternity clothes - Debbie Ohanian. Not sure of her label's name these days. Used to be "Meet Me in Miami" and "Fetal Attraction".

Hi, I'm preggers too and just came to this website to see if it would be fun for me and my husband to spend a few days in S. Beach. We just planned spur of the moment to visit my family in Boynton for a few days, but wanted some alone time to play.