We tend to think of pregnancy as a frailty and hindering women from doing what they normally do and love. Yes, being pregnant is likely to bring on all the discomforts that exist, but in that case, you are likely to be uncomfortable anywhere. So why not treat yourself to a slow-paced getaway to reconnect with nature, yourself and your family? It might be just what you need.
If you have a healthy pregnancy, but still worry about camping while pregnant, read on for my best tips on how to stay comfortable and safe for an enjoyable trip.
6 Tips for camping while pregnant to make you sleep well and feel comfortable.
My third pregnancy has by far been the hardest and toughest of all three. I had severe morning sickness during the first trimester, and significant SI joint pain (pelvic pain) set in already in the second trimester, making basic movements painful and almost impossible. However, it was also during this pregnancy that I realized how camping actually made me feel better, believe it or not.
Tip #1: Fresh air and cooler temperatures help reduce nausea
I happened to be in the first trimester during the height of summer. I really battled being outside in the heat after 9 am in the morning which is really hard to avoid when you have two other kids and a dog that needs walking. The heat just made me feel so much worse. We went camping two or three times during my first trimester - one to the cooler mountains north of Albuquerque, and twice to a lake with a breeze and water to cool off in. My nausea almost disappeared entirely during those three trips. I think the cooler temperatures helped, but it could also just be the change of scenery and pace. Who knows. It helped either way.
After weeks of nausea, 90 degrees and quarantine life, this pregnant mama was very happy to get into the mountains to cool off and re-energize.
Tip #2: Invest in camping gear that makes you comfortable
High-seated camping chairs
One of our favorite camping items is our low Kelty loveseat (double camping chair). But that thing is my sworn enemy passed the second trimester. For those later trips and for postpartum breastfeeding I bring a taller rocking camping chair. It doesn’t pack very compactly, but it’s a priority that improves my trip significantly. A regular camping chair also work great. Avoid anything where you have to sit too low, especially if you have pelvic pain, hip discomfort or heartburn.
Thick sleeping pad or cot
For the later stages of pregnancy I highly recommend a thick enough pad or bed that allows for your body to contour. We always use an Exped Megamat (double pad), inflated 2/3 of the way (too much inflation makes any pad too hard to sleep on, especially if you are sharing it). If you battle with hip or pelvic pain, you may want to consider a taller bed such as a cot, although I found those to be hard without an additional pad. You can also stack multiple pads. Bring extra pillows or blankets for knee and belly props.
Tip #3: Hiking support
Hiking poles
Walking is almost always a pregnant woman’s best friend. If your plan on hiking in uneven terrain, bring hiking poles for extra support. Your balance is most likely a bit our of whack, especially later on. Remember sturdy boots and lots of water as well. But take it easy. You may not feel much different during the earlier stages of pregnancy, but elevation gain and uneven terrain can be tough on your already hard working body and looser joints. Take smaller steps to keep your pelvic aligned and your balance in place, and tell your company to slow down if need be.
Let your spouse or others do the heavy lifting if hiking or camping while pregnant.
Maternity support girdle
Good alignment is key during pregnancy. Your growing belly is doing everything it can to curve your spine too much and strain your pelvic. Remember to tuck in your pelvic (move those hips and butt forward). And wear a maternity back and belly support belt for hiking if you feel your belly is getting heavy. They help align your pelvic and hips and eases the pressure and weight from your baby belly.
And remember to not carry more than you need to. I was fine carrying our two other kids up to a certain point, but I have outsourced that task earlier on this time to not add any extra weight to my hips and pelvic.
Tip #4: How to get a good night’s sleep while camping
This might be the top concern for many women. I’ve already mentioned a good sleeping pad and pillows. But if you are already battling getting a good night’s sleep at home (like me) thanks to those pesky pregnancy hormones, you may need a few more sleep aids.
Stretchy PJs/loose pants
Think, nothing that squeezes your bladder. Maternity leggings are great all day and night long. Maternity sweatpants are also great and usually warm for cooler night temperatures. Many of my hiking tops and ski base layers fit over my belly, at least the first many months of pregnancy, and they are great for keeping you warm at night.
Antacids
Heartburn can occur at the most random times, but it’s likely caused by big meals, too much greasy food (or just too much food), or soda/sparkling water, and when lying down. Keep Tums or another Antacid handy just in case.
Ear plugs
I think this is my most recommended sleep aid for pregnant women. I am already a light sleeper, but it seems to be a hundred times worse during pregnancy. I happen to be married to the best sleeper in the world - who also happens to snore loudly unless he’s on his side. This often causes me to recent his sleep ability in the middle of the night, which is not fair to him, and doesn’t help me fall asleep. I also find myself much more sensitive to other noises, especially new noises and our friends talking around the campfire late at night. Blocking everything out, including sleep noises from our kids, with ear plugs really helped me.
Sleep furthest away from the kids
Along the same lines, I found that by sleeping on the outside, I was able to not be woken up by little noises or stirring from our kids. We are lined up in a row with our oldest on one side, little brother next to her, then my husband and then me on the other outer side. It means that my husband has to deal with night wakings a lot more, but that is just how it is. He is much better at falling back to sleep or not being woken up by little movements to begin with, so I don’t feel too bad.
Drink lots of water BUT Stop drinking water after 6
I have always dreaded having to leave the tent in the middle of the night to pee. It’s just such an inconvenience when you are warm and snug. I often happen to wake up having to pee at 5 am which would wake up my youngest who would not go back to sleep. And it would keep me awake as well whether or not I am able to go pee. By limiting the intake of liquids after 6 PM, you are likely able to sleep through the night much better.
Keep a water bottle handy
We live and camp in the Southwest which means it’s often very dry all year round. Keep water handy if you wake up parched, but also keep it handy and full all day to make sure you drink enough water during the day. You need more than you think.
Keep Toilet Paper nearby
If you do need to get up in the middle of the night to pee, make sure that you know exactly where the toilet paper is and that it’s handy, if you can’t pee without it. I find that when I’m pregnant, I like to use toilet paper more because it makes me feel cleaner. But that’s just a personal preference. We usually have toilet paper sitting right outside the tent with the kids’ potty, but you can also keep it inside the tent by the door or put some in your jack pocket. Make sure to have a proper place to discard of it so you don’t dump it outside.
Saline spray
Because of the Southwest climate and changing hormones, it’s easy to wake up from a stuffy nose. I already bring saline spray for the kids, but I make sure to keep it handy near the bed for night wakings due to stuffiness or a dry nose.
Reachable snack
If you suffer from morning sickness or get hangry if you don’t eat first thing in the morning, keep a non-smelly snack in the tent with you. Our two-year old often needs a pre-breakfast snack, so I keep crackers or granola bars handy for the both of us. Avoid food that attract animals or worsen your heartburn. Plain, sealed crackers, granola bars and biscuits often work well.
Tip #5: Other things to pack to keep you safe when camping while pregnant
Other things to pack for camping while pregnant are things that make life at the campsite a little easier for you and keep you healthy and safe.
Garden clogs/easy slip-on shoes
Pregnant or not, I swear by easy slip-on shoes for multiple trips in and out of the tent. It could be regular flip-flops or garden clogs, depending on where you are camping. (The last thing you want is wet feet or thorns in your toes.) Bottom line, bring shoes that are easy to put on and prevent you from having to bend down too much.
Bug repellent
We are blessed with very few bugs in the Southwest, but for more humid climates it’s important to remember bug repellants. Although you are likely to be just fine from a bug bite, bugs can carry diseases that can be harmful to you or your fetus, so using a repellant may make you feel more at ease. There are lots of DIY recipes for deed-free repellants out there if you worry about that and you can also use light clothing and nets to protect you.
Compression socks
These don’t exactly go along with my advice on avoiding bending too much. I find that compression socks are hard to get on and off and as a result, tend to stay on my feet for two days if possible. But I love them for easing restless leg syndrome and just increase circulation overall which helps me feel more energized, especially for high-elevation trips.
Extra water bottles
I’ve mentioned this before but you might as well bring a few and keep them in different locations so you are sure to drink enough water. Keep one in the tent for night time, keep one in the car and one in your camping chair, just so they are always handy and easy to locate. For hot weather camping, I make sure to keep a full bottle in the fridge or cooler box and refill it, so I always have cold water available.
If you struggle to drink plain water because of nausea, try adding some flavor with lemons or Liquid Hydration packs. I was addicted to Gatorade and other flavored drinks in the first trimester because it stabilized my blood sugar in ways food couldn’t (I know, preggo mama logic), but I kept it to a minimum or to the ‘cleanest’ possible version. Remember to avoid too many additives, caffeine and sugar.
Lip Balm
Pregnant or not, this one follows the same principle as the water bottles. I or the kids always need to moisturize our lips all day long, so instead of having to get up and search for it, I keep a few mini Vaseline jars handy in different locations. One in the tent, one in my pocket and one in the kids’ toiletry bag which is usually in the car.
Extra hand sanitizer
This is probably already stocked in multiple places as part of pandemic-life, but remember to be extra mindful of keeping your hands clean when pregnant. Keep bottles or wipes handy especially when cooking and after going to the toilet. Store them in different, specific locations so you don’t have to look for them every time you need to clean your hands.
Tip #6: Best Practices
Keep a Simple Itinerary
Aim for locations you know or that are nearby and keep your itinerary simple. No need for changing locations every day or checking out all the sights. Just getting out of the house and into nature makes all the difference. A soak in a hot spring (remember, watch your body temperature) was just what I needed at 8 months pregnant over a snow trip or long hike.
Hot springs during winter camping is the perfect way to relax. Be cautious about overheating and bacteria if pregnant, but treat yourself to some relaxation as well.
Know your first aid and the nearest urgent care location
It’s always good to locate the nearest emergency room or urgent care, just in case something happens. This is good to know either way, but especially when camping with kids and while pregnant. And keep a well stocked first aid kit with you at all times.
Keep meals simple and prepare what you can from home
While expecting our first child, I had plenty of time to cook and fuss about the meal around the campsite. But now that we are expecting our third, the meals have to be as fast and simple as they possibly can be. Especially if we are on the go a lot or only arrive at our spot fairly late.
Curries and stews are perfect camping meals that are easy to prepare from home and easy to reheat while camping. Cold chicken salad or taco filling are great options for warmer temperatures.
Anything that just needs reheating or can be cooked in one pot is a win. Remember, you also have to do the dishes afterwards. We treated ourselves to a nice more complicated grilled meal for New Year’s Eve on our last trip, but otherwise kept it very simple. Doing dishes in minus degrees for winter camping is just not all that fun. And busy hungry children are hard to distract sometimes.
Also try to outsource as much as you can to your spouse or your camping buddies. My husband loves to grill for example. When we camp with friends, we often share the meal load. We each bring dinners to share so we all get a break from cooking some days.
For more on meal planning and family friendly recipes, check out Easy Camping Meals and Snacks for the Family and Creative Family Camping Meal Planning + Tacos 4 Ways.
Relax, mama!
Remember to relax and enjoy yourself. You are already busy growing a baby. Don’t push yourself, and let your surroundings know when you need a break. This can be hard to do when you have other children with you. But the simpler and more organized you keep everything around you, the easier it is to get little moments of relaxation and pure fun.
Share this post if you know of a mama-to-be who needs the extra confidence, and let me know in the comments below what tips have worked for you. I’d love to hear from you!
Happy camping, mama!