Camping is a wonderful experience connecting you with nature and providing a break from the busyness of everyday life. When you’re pregnant, it’s important to take extra precautions to ensure both your safety and the well-being of your baby. In this article, we’ll explore 7 tips for camping while pregnant.
Table of Contents
- Should You Go Camping?
- 1. Choose the Right Campground
- 2. Bring Comfortable Clothes
- 3. Keep Hydrated
- 4. Make Rest and Relaxation a Priority
- 5. Be Mindful of Physical Activity
- 6. Don’t Camp Pregnant Alone
- 7. Sleeping Arrangements
- Camping While Pregnant Conclusion
- Personal Bonus Tip for Camping While Pregnant
Should You Go Camping?
Before planning a camping trip, it’s important to determine if your pregnancy is healthy enough to go in the first place. If you’re researching camping while pregnant and reading this, chances are you have already determined that you are.
If you have any doubts as to your health you should be sure to contact your doctor first so they can help you determine if camping is a suitable activity for you during your pregnancy.
If you’ve never been camping before, it’s probably best you don’t make this your first camping trip ever. You will risk ruining camping for yourself in the future if you aren’t completely comfortable and of course you don’t want to jeapordize the life of your uborn baby.
1. Choose the Right Campground
If you are camping while pregnant you may want to reconsider your favourite backcountry campsite. You don’t have to skip the woods altogether, just be sure to remain within driving distance of medical care. You want to be sure that if something happens (an injury, illness or just an uneasy feeling) you are a manageable distance from a doctor.
Many pregnant women may prefer to book campsites with amenities such as clean restrooms and potable water but if you are a seasoned camper, there is no reason you have to book a site with bathrooms or running water. Some of the best sites have pit toilets, or none at all. You know your body best and what you are able and not able to do.
Staying closer to home might be a good priority, especially if you are not a seasoned camper. If you end up not feeling well you can always pack up and go home early, leaving a short drive home.
2. Bring Comfortable Clothes
Comfortable clothes are what most people pack when going camping. It’s also what a lot of pregnant women wear on any given day.
We all know comfortable clothes are important, but what you may forget to pack is lots of clothes for layering outfits. Whether you are camping in a hot or cooler climate you’re going to want to bring large shirts, sweaters and jackets to put on and take off. While pregnant you are more likely to experience hot and cold flashes.
On top of comfy clothes, you will also want to bring one or two pairs of good walking shoes. Whether you will be going on walks and hikes or just staying around the campsite, a good pair of supportive shoes is important. They not only provide comfort but also stability. Pregnant women are much less stable on their feet than they were when they weren’t pregnant.
Don’t bring only your “grubby” clothes. Wear clothes that make you feel good. You’ll feel much more inclined to get up and do some activity if you feel confident in how you look. You don’t need to pack your Sunday best, but don’t pack only pants and shirts full of holes.
3. Keep Hydrated
Bring plenty of clean drinking water from home, or book somewhere you know has access to clean potable water. Staying well-hydrated is essential for a healthy pregnancy, for mom and baby.
It’s best to just bring a flat or two of bottled water so it’s always on hand. Don’t store it in the sun and be sure to pack home all your empty bottles.
If you don’t like the taste of bottled water stored in plastic, bring some water mixers or enhancers. Some extra sugar for a few days won’t hurt and it beats being dehydrated. There are sugar free options, but be sure to read the label or ask your doctor if it’s safe during pregancy. Some electrolyte enhancers or vitamin aditions are not safe.
4. Make Rest and Relaxation a Priority
Pregnancy can be physically and emotionally demanding. Be sure to schedule breaks throughout the day to sit down, elevate your feet if needed, and rest.
Bring a comfortable camp chair to relax in. Having somewhere to sit with decent back support will help keep away any aches and pains that may sneak up on you.
A midday nap can also help you stay feeling great. Even if you aren’t usually a nap person, give it a try. After several hours in the sun, a nap may be just what you need.
5. Be Mindful of Physical Activity
If you’re camping while pregnant, it’s crucial to be mindful of physical activity. Avoid strenuous hikes, heavy lifting, and any activities that could put stress on your body. Even if you’re used to adventurous outdoor activities, remember that pregnancy can limit your physical capabilities.
If you’ve been keeping active during your pregnancy you can continue while camping. Remember to listen to your body and rest when needed.
6. Don’t Camp Pregnant Alone
Chances are nothing will go wrong, but you don’t want to be stuck in the woods alone if something does go wrong. Make sure someone else always knows where you and your camping party will be.
When camping while pregnant it’s best to stay within reach of a cell signal. Not only is it safer, you will feel more at ease knowing you have the ability to call anyone you need to.
7. Sleeping Arrangements
Perhaps one of the most uncomfortable times of the day during pregnancy is bed time. If you aren’t getting any sleep, you are going to be miserable during the day.
If you are camping in a trailer, you’ll likely already be on a mattress and should be able to stay relatively comfortable at night.
If you’re in a tent you will want to bring something softer than the ground to sleep on. There are many types of air mattresses on the market these days for camping. Everything from full sized air mattresses, foam liners to thin lightweight camp pads. The thin camp pad you used prior to camping may not be as comfortable this time around.
One might assume a thick air mattress would be most comfortable while pregnant, but that’s not usually the case. A thick air mattress will get you up off the hard ground, but provides no support on the joints and muscles. You will likely find you wake up very sore, on a deflated mattress come morning.
A roll up or fold up foam mattress would be the most comfortable. You can find decent ones around an inch thick, and they will be much more comfortable than a full sized air mattress. These mattresses can be bulky when packing the car.
If you don’t have enough space to bring an extra mattress or foam to sleep on, bring some extra pillows. Extra pillows go a long way. Bring a single long body pillow or two regular pillows. This will allow you to at least put one between your knees to level your hips and leave you an extra one to support your belly.
Camping While Pregnant Conclusion
Camping while pregnant can be a memorable and enjoyable experience if you take the necessary precautions. Prioritize your health and safety, choose appropriate campgrounds, and be prepared for the challenges that pregnancy may bring. With careful planning and tailored expecations, you can enjoy camping outdoors while keeping you and your child safe.
Personal Bonus Tip for Camping While Pregnant
It’s common knowledge that pregnant women have to pee A LOT. While 7 months pregnant our family embarked on a road trip camp trip around Haida Gwaii, off the coast of British Columbia, Canada. I had a healthy pregnancy and limited concerns about comfort and followed all my tips above.
My main concern being in the third trimester was having to get up and pee multiple times at night while in the wilderness. Not to mention, I’d have to climb up and down a ladder as we sleep in a rooftop tent. To help curb the midnight emptying of my bladder, I chose not to drink any liquids after 7:00pm.
I made sure to drink an excess of water during the day prior to 7:00pm, and afterwards I had nothing. It worked! Only one night out of seven, I had to get up at night to pee.
Before trying this, make sure you are having a healthy pregnancy. If you have any concerns contact your doctor first.
For more pregnancy travel information, check out our Pregnancy Travel section.
