camping end of 2nd trimester..... ideas pls!

[Clarella]

Mainly what might be a good mat to use!

Ex venture scout and never had more than a crappy 5 quid foam roll up and a duvet but not been a great deal in last few years as I got into my 30's (wuss!)

Mats appear as confusing as prams!

Thermarest?

Thanks!

No advice on mats I'm afraid. Id be more worried about getting a nice, stable bucket to wee in 10 times a night! :)

I would definitely take a proper blow up mattress or camp bed contraption rather than just a mat... and yeah the bucket will be handy!

Am off camping halfway through Aug, about 4 weeks before due date but I have gone for the soft option and hired a pre-pitched luxury tent... DP loves camping and so do I, but not when preggers! so this is the best of both worlds :)

I went camping at 34 weeks. It was bliss, best sleep I had had for ages as lovely and cool.
I used a self inflating mat with one duvet on that and one to go over me.
I tried with a blow up bed first that my brother had brought with him as we thought that might be better but found I simply sank!!
Do take a strong bucket of portapotti for all the night weeing.

Wow you're brave! Might look at a bed option then!

Yep, glastonbury experiences have prepared me for the bucket scenario! We're at womad and have got a pre pitched tent (feels like glamping!) Near loos etc. Thing is I've always hated blow up beds - there's an option to get one in the tent and they will blow up each night for 20 quid which may actually be the cheaper easier option, but it will be a double and not sure how we'll manage sharing it with my girly mates considering my bump is tiny and I'm already piling pillows between knees and back!

Hmm maybe a self inflate mat might be best - gotta get it all on the train too :)

I have a thermarest which is quite comfy, very expensive but worth it if you'll use it a few times. I'd never be able to get off an air bed quickly enough to make it to the bucket on time! And I don't think they offer much support for backs/ hips etc.

After a discussion with my pal who has a Thermarest it sounds like the best idea - I don't mind investing in a good one as I'm sure ill get a lot of use out of it plus can be used for visitors (also never bought any kind of luxury camping equipment and still use the sleeping bag I had 18 years ago so think I can splurge!) My god proper glamping! (minus the cava)

Self inflating mats - absolutely! In the very early days of 'going out' with my DP, I used to stay over at his mums on the floor on one of these things and I always slept better than in my own bed! I've tested a few because where I work, we sell them. Have a look at Snugpak ones, they're great! A bit more expensive that a cheap alternative but well worth it xx

Thanks for all the tips! X

I've just a brilliant time camping at a festival at 36 weeks :) Slept on an inflatable mattress, not 100% comfortable but then neither is my bed these days. We had our young children with us so were in the family field and near the toilets, no in-tent bucket required. Hope you have a fab time camping and will be with someone who'll do all the hard manual work! x

Glad to hear people have been camping successfully. I've been meaning to go for last 2 summers but me working weekends and weather getting in the way means we won't get chance until my mat leave starts at 33 weeks. Assumed it wd be too late.

I really want to go. My plan is to get separate airbeds, sharing them is awful cos as soon as the other person moves u bounce about. And take duvets and pillows. And bucket with lid.

Definitely thermorest, just bought a women's one and used last week in lakes - it was very comfy, even under your hip when sleeping on your side which I guess you would be. Will be going again a few times over summer, all 2nd trimester.
I'm thinking that at 6-7 months you will be in the good bit when the need to wee has gone back to normal?
Am 11 weeks and last week I was drinnking lots of water in late afternoon in a vain attempt to have it all weed out before the night time. Only had to get up one night, but then it is pretty important to stay hydrated so probably restricting evening drinks is not such a good idea!
You'll be fine in a luxury tent. Our tent is one you can't stand up in so crawling / sitting on floor all the time could be a bit rough when I get bigger, but fine for now.

Ooh great to hear, which one did you get and where from? My pal has the xl one I think but looked at the womens ones on Amazon. I'm fairly lucky as not been a massive issue on the wee front at any time so far but I guess there's time. I'll need to get stuff on the train unless can get others who are going to take some stuff but I reckon the Thermarest isn't too heavy, just bulky.

I would get a camping cot - they're like camp beds but squidgier. Fishing tackle shops sell nice ones (as does the fishing section of Go Outdoors). Way comfier than a Thermarest.

I am also an ex-venture scouter and still go camping most years. My thermarest died last year and after much research I can really recommend that you go for the Exped mattress - they have a number of different types of models in the range but very light, very comfortable (some come with a down filling so really warm) and they have a great pillow attachment. I think you can find them at Exped.com

Having had to sleep on a mat on the floor the other day, the other thing which made a big difference was having my pregnancy pillow to sink into - if you haven't got one already then consider it for the trip. Have fun.

DP and I both got womens' ones as he quite short and they were on sale. They are purple (Women's prolite). Apparently the womens one is warmer. It isn't heavy and really packs down very light so a good choice for backpacking. They don't look as though they'd be much better than a roll mat, as so slimline, but they really are comfy.
No experience of Exped but that sounds good too!
If I was going in car or could send stuff with someone my curvy pillow would be going too - good point velo - I used to sleep with it every night when I was pregnant before.

I'm x-Venture scouts too! Such happy memories.

Went camping at 28 weeks for a week, took a double air bed, double duvet 2 pillows and my body pillow. Best sleep I had the whole pregnancy I tell you. Getting out of bed was amusing but once up I was fine.

Lovely to hear all these camping tales!

Will be doing a good trawl of all the mentioned mats etc.

Ironically one of my most memorable venture scout nights was the night they did about condoms....

And peak95 for similar reasons!

Of course there was lots of sensible hiking and orienteering too.... :)