Camping whilst pregnant?

[whyno]

Planning to go camping this summer with friends (with kids) but I will be very pregnant (6/7 months). Anyone done this before? Is it a bad idea?

[EauRouge]

I've never done it but I don't see why it would be a bad idea. Bear in mind that it might be harder to get comfy on an airbed (you could try it before you go) and that the loo might be a short waddle walk away so if you are likely to make frequent trips you might like to see if you can get a pitch that's not too far away from the loo block.

[sandyballs]

I wouldn't do it but only because I cannot sleep in a tent without copious amounts of wine and being pregnant that is obviously not a good idea

[3rdnparty]

Can be great as a chance for a break with other people around for lifting /entertaining kids etc Easier if your friends are the sort who just get on and do stuff or are experienced campers so aware enough to do stuff for you without you having to ask all the time......make sure near loo's and also be clear you are definitely going to be fair weather camper so would recommend not going miles from home you don't want to be sliding around on wet grass

good sturdy camping chair needed as well....

[TotallyTopical]

I camped at 8 months pregnant but only for a couple of nights. It was fine. I second the suggestion of a pitch near the loo block though.

The trouble with pregnancy is that you don't know how it will affect you. Maybe try and book somewhere that you can easily cancel without losing to much money then if you really don't feel up to it, there's nothing lost.

[Jo178]

We camped with friends when I was seven months pregnant with DD last August. We did the Dartmouth regatta and spent the time visiting lots of pretty Devon towns. I actually found the air bed more comfortable to sleep on. Would definitely recommend!

[jojane]

I camped when 5 months pregnant (but looked ready to drop, always ballooned really wary in my pregnancies) we had FIL and Dhs best mate with us so thy did all the hard work of putting up tents etc, we weren't too far from the loo but must admit to going in the bushes in the middle of the night 😳

[CatsRule]

I went camping last year when I was pregnant, I wasn't very pregnant but had sciatica. It was fine, my dh done all the lifting etc and the tent was big enough to stand up in so I wasn't bending much.

The only slight problem I had was that we had a 12 hour journey to get there and despite stopping and putting my feet up when not driving (dh dorve most of the way) I did end up with swollen ankles. It went down after a few days and lots of water...which I know isn't easy to drink when driving without stopping many many times!!

[namechangerforaday]

I did it in Spain we ended up driving around looking for a hotel I was crying with discomfort and cold

[loubielou31]

I've done it!
Going to the loo in the middle of the night is a pain in the arse, to take a porta potty rather than traipsing over to the loo block.
You will need a decent comfy chair
Think very carefully about your sleeping arrangements, air beds are not very comfy at the best of times and tricky to get up from even when you're not pregnant. Sleeping when 6 months pregnant is also not easy (although not as bad as 8 months plus). Combining the two is likely to result in you being very tired and grumpy. I'm not sure what the solution to that is though, maybe a really good foam mattress raised off the floor on a campcot would work better?
It's not madness, you'll enjoy it.
It's not your first time camping is it?

[bealos]

Decent airbed is a must! Plus lots of duvets / blankets / sleeping bags so you don't get cold. I ended up falling asleep when putting ds1 to bed most nights, hearing the chatter of people getting drunk outside!

And always wee next to the tent in the dark. Don't bother roaming to the shower blocks.

I did get a bit tired and grumpy at points - but was with good friends so could say so!

[MrsShrek3]

have done camping also very pregnant - Aug before birth in Sept and Sept before dd born 8 wks later. Sleeping comfortably was my only issue - which i solved by taking bfing pillow and many many cushions and pretty much made a nest getting up from very low bed at 8 mo was a bit of a bother - but not at 6/7.
good luck

[CarefulUpThere]

My top tip is to take a swiss ball to sit on, deflated for the journey. I was actually more comfy on the air bed than on bed at home, and Dd arrived 3 whole days after we got home so we didn't really cut it that fine...

[Cheesemonkey]

I camped at a festival for 3 nights when 6 months pregnant.
Airbed, pillow and duvet/ blankets are a must. I took my pregnancy pillow as well which I needed. A chair to sit on. Think carefully about what food you need, I needed to snack every few hours so had lots of crackers/ crispbreads. Make sure you plan some rest/ feet up time every day, it was the only time during my pregnancy I got swollen legs.

[melrose]

I did it at 35 weeks with dd (number3) for 4 nights and had a great time. Was fine putting tent up (Dh did most of it) probably relaxed and sat still more than I would at home and slept really well on my sleeping mat!! Had to get up for a wee but had asked for a pitch close to loos when I booked. Really enjoyed a special few ads with ds's before dd arrived

[melrose]

Days!

[Apronlady]

Yes it's possible! No, it's not a bad idea if you: a) are reasonably fit, b) prioritise your night-time comfort. Take a really really comfy mattress and pillows. we had fantastic exped mattresses and our duvet from home, and I honestly slept as well if not better than at home, for a whole week.

I went when I was about 34 weeks and the only slight issue I had was that camping usually involves a lot of bending, kneeling, getting up and down and up and down (at least for me as I was chasing a 18month old toddler too) In hindsight a porta-potty would be a good idea, for night time! Although I just used nearby long grass