Trip at 34 weeks pregnant...to camp in a tent?

snickersforeveryone · May 2012

OK ladies, I'd like your advice!

My husband and I are thinking of taking a trip to VA Beach the weekend of the 1st. It is about 2 hours away, and we'll be camping at in a state park (First Landing). We were really only planning on the one night, but it's possible we'd go for two nights.

This is my first time camping, and my first time being pregnant, so I'm not sure what to expect. I'll be 34 weeks pregnant at that point, almost 35. My only concern is that if I were to go into labor, that's a long, uncomfortable drive back to my OB/hospital. I really am longing for a trip away with just my husband though, and I feel inclined to go. Would you go tent camping 2 hours away from home at 34 weeks pregnant?

Also, if you would go, would you go kayaking or canoeing? I'm not sure what will be feasible! I'll be asking my OB about all of this on Thursday, but feel like you all will be able to paint me a better picture of what I can realistically expect.

Bexi · May 2012

I think this far into the pregnancy it's time to think about all the "what ifs" that could happen. A tent won't be comfortable on your back or anything like that. What if the canoe/kayak tips over? Will you be comfortable trying to get back in or getting to shore? But it all depends on you. I'm a weak woman anyway and couldn't handle it, but a lot of the ladies here are strong enough to be able to handle a trip like that. Just follow your gut on this one I think.

mrs.sewell · May 2012

Please excuse my bluntness: H3LL NO!

Tent camping can be rough, even if you're not pregnant. And if it's your first time... I would suggested renting a cabin or maybe renting an RV/pop-up trailer. Tent camping while pregnant is going to suck.

bethCT · May 2012

I am trying to remember how i felt with DD, but I know now there is no way to any of the above. I can barely get into the ground/back up, so sleeping in a sleeping bag would not be an option - especially for my middle of the night bathroom runs. I can barely do a half hour car ride before my feet swell too much, so I could not do 2 hours.... And wow, I would likely sink or capsize the canoe/kayak - LOL. Seriously, check with your OB first, but I know mine would not let me go now in a zillion years - but twins is different.

Boing214 · May 2012

I've camped my whole life but I don't think I could this far into the pregnancy, and you're further than I am. Sleeping on the ground isn't comfortable unless you get plenty of padding beneath you, and even then if you're hips have been hurting there's no promise it will be enough for them. Then you also have to think that you'll be sleeping on the ground, and I have a hard enough getting up and down from regular heights it's not something I'd want to do.

For the kayaking or canoeing I would say not unless it's something you've done lots before. You're body is different in how it is in water, and if you end up dunked would you be able to float or swim to the shore? Or would you freak out and swallow half the lake? Just things to think on.

mandalinn25 · May 2012

No way to camping. I have a hard enough time getting comfortable in my bed. I couldn't imagine trying to sleep in a tent on the ground.

As for kayaking/canoeing, a big no to that too. For the simple reason that if you are to fall out, getting back in would never happen. I gave up kayaking weeks ago, I just don't feel comfortable and my life vest doesn't fit anyway. I guess kayaking is different here too because you cannot touch the bottom, it is saltwater, there are other boats (with big wakes) and the shore is usually very far. So falling out is a major concern. It is hard enough getting back in when not pregnant.

APendola · May 2012

The problem with camping is that it's usually in a place where you are a long drive from medical care.

The other problem is that you have never gone camping before. The third tri is not a good time to try tent camping. It might turn you off of camping for life. Maybe consider a hotel in the area?

Kayaking or canoeing would be fine. It's great exercise. But you might not be up for a long trip on the water.

CountryWild84 · May 2012

I am also going on a camping trip for the weekend when I am 34 weeks. We'll be 2 hours away, as well.

I am not to worried about it, but I don't think I'll be going into labor anytime soon. If everything has been fine until that point, then I say go.

I wouldn't go canoeing though. That just sounds uncomfortable and if you fall out the wrong way, then you could get hurt.

We're basically going to be swimming and hiking.

expletive baby · May 2012

Judging based on how I feel now, I could totally go camping. I would request an air mattress, but aside from that I wouldn't see any complications. Maybe find a campsite close to restrooms/outhouse unless you're fine with peeing in the woods in the middle of the night.

As for canoeing/kayaking - if you are a good swimmer, I see no difference between that and taking a dip in a pool. Stay away from rapid, obviously, and get some sort of flotation device, and don't try to tip over.

But, I have taken a real nonchalant way with my whole pregnancy thing and I have had close to zero complications, so your mileage may vary.

CountryWild84 · May 2012

Wow, I am shocked at the replies. LOL!

We have a huge tent that holds two air mattresses in it comfortably.... we'll have two quenn size mattresses for my husband and I,and then one for our 9 year old. I would never sleep in a sleeping bag NOT pregnant, lol!

I guess it depends on you. I still feel pretty good but 4 weeks from now could be different!

danieliza1127 · May 2012

I love to camp and usually go about once a year, but I definitely wouldn't go that pregnant. I'm 28 weeks and I know I wouldn't be comfortable sleeping in a tent or going for a long hike or canoeing or kayaking. Also most campgrounds don't have the nicest toilets/bathrooms and as many times as I'm peeing these days, the last thing I'd want to do is have a long walk to the bathroom or vault toilet every time I needed to go.

I can see you wanting to take a nice trip with your H before the baby comes, but you'd be a lot more comfortable in a bed and breakfast or hotel, or even a cabin rather than a tent.

snickersforeveryone · May 2012

bethCT:
I am trying to remember how i felt with DD, but I know now there is no way to any of the above. I can barely get into the ground/back up, so sleeping in a sleeping bag would not be an option - especially for my middle of the night bathroom runs. I can barely do a half hour car ride before my feet swell too much, so I could not do 2 hours.... And wow, I would likely sink or capsize the canoe/kayak - LOL. Seriously, check with your OB first, but I know mine would not let me go now in a zillion years - but twins is different.

I have to admit, I hadn't thought about the bathroom issue. At this point I can still get up and down with only a little difficulty, but I've started growing a lot more recently, and can see that being a problem.

I also hadn't thought about the life jacket possibly not fitting, but to be honest, I'm not dying to go out in any small craft that I, in my infinite gracefulness, could tip over.

We wouldn't be able to rent a cabin because you can only rent those for a week at a time, and we only want to go for 1 or 2 nights.

Hm, it's starting to seem like this may not be the best plan.

mandalinn25 · May 2012

CountryWild84:
Wow, I am shocked at the replies. LOL!

We have a huge tent that holds two air mattresses in it comfortably.... we'll have two quenn size mattresses for my husband and I,and then one for our 9 year old. I would never sleep in a sleeping bag NOT pregnant, lol!

I guess it depends on you. I still feel pretty good but 4 weeks from now could be different!

Well I live in Florida so tent camping is my idea of the 7th circle of hell for me. It is way too hot and humid to be anywhere with no air conditioning except from November to February and that can be pushing it. LOL!

BabyBliss2012 · May 2012

mrs.sewell:

Please excuse my bluntness: H3LL NO!

Tent camping can be rough, even if you're not pregnant. And if it's your first time... I would suggested renting a cabin or maybe renting an RV/pop-up trailer. Tent camping while pregnant is going to suck.

Yup!

APendola · May 2012

danieliza1127:

I love to camp and usually go about once a year, but I definitely wouldn't go that pregnant. I'm 28 weeks and I know I wouldn't be comfortable sleeping in a tent or going for a long hike or canoeing or kayaking. Also most campgrounds don't have the nicest toilets/bathrooms and as many times as I'm peeing these days, the last thing I'd want to do is have a long walk to the bathroom or vault toilet every time I needed to go.

I can see you wanting to take a nice trip with your H before the baby comes, but you'd be a lot more comfortable in a bed and breakfast or hotel, or even a cabin rather than a tent.

Good point on the bathrooms! When my husband and I go camping, it's usually a short walk to the bathroom and I always make him walk with me because I don't like walking by myself in the dark. I would totally have to walk by myself in the dark, because my hubby would never get up at 4:00am to walk me through the woods to the bathroom. And with the pregnancy brain, I'd probably get lost on the way back to the campsite.

But I think I could tolerate sleeping in a tent though as long as I brought lots of pillows and/or an air matress.

OUKatie · May 2012

tent camping: No for me, especially since you've never done it

kayaking/canoeing: NO

CountryWild84 · May 2012

mandalinn25:
CountryWild84:

Wow, I am shocked at the replies. LOL!

We have a huge tent that holds two air mattresses in it comfortably.... we'll have two quenn size mattresses for my husband and I,and then one for our 9 year old. I would never sleep in a sleeping bag NOT pregnant, lol!

I guess it depends on you. I still feel pretty good but 4 weeks from now could be different!

Well I live in Florida so tent camping is my idea of the 7th circle of hell for me. It is way too hot and humid to be anywhere with no air conditioning except from November to February and that can be pushing it. LOL!

Hahaha! Yeah, I have grown up camping and we go every year from April to October. I love it!

As far as the bathroom issue, just take some TP with ya and you'll be good to go Smile Pop a squat!

snickersforeveryone · May 2012

It should tell you how clueless about this whole thing I am that I was surprised so many people said no way!

Sadly, our two person tent won't fit our air mattress, so it would have to be a sleeping bag. And I'm completely afraid of the dark, so DH would have to walk with me a million times a night for me to pee. Bathroom sanitation is a major issue for me too, so I'm not sure how I would react to campground bathrooms. Oh, and I totally understand the heat thing...it's going to be freaking HOT here in June. I was thinking that maybe being close to the water would help alleviate some of that though.

Wow, there are so many more things to consider than I originally thought. Thank you all for taking the time to help me.

ThePinkSuperhero · May 2012

Sleeping on the ground in a tent outside at 34 weeks pregnant sounds like HELL ON EARTH. You deserve better, make your husband take you to a hotel with A/C, room service and cable TV!

buffyandchris · May 2012

At my OB visit on 5/10 I asked if I could drive to Dallas (I live in Houston) and she told me to make that my last trip. There are too many "what if's" that could happen. Plus being 2 hours away from you hospital at 34/35 weeks may not be a good idea. But see what your OB has to say.

sk8erdevil19 · May 2012

mrs.sewell:
Tent camping can be rough, even if you're not pregnant. And if it's your first time... I would suggested renting a cabin or maybe renting an RV/pop-up trailer. Tent camping while pregnant is going to suck.

This... I hate tent camping to begin with, add to that the uncomfortableness of pregnancy and it does not sound like fun. But I would also suggest renting a cabin. or maybe a nice B n' B for the weekend lol

Rink08 · May 2012

We will be camping around that same time period however part of the time we will be staying in a cabin although we will be using a blow up mattress. I won't be doing any of the water activities (kayaking, canoeing, row boats) with the rest of the family though because I am uncomfortable at the thought of it with my balance not being what it normally is. Instead, I'll be fishing from the shore with the kids and taking pictures.

danabugg · May 2012

I grew up in Montana, and LOVE camping... but at 29 weeks it takes me five or six pillows to get comfy in bed, so I'd say sleeping in a tent would really depend on how you feel. You say the air mattress won't fit - have you thought about buying one of those inflatable floating mattresses/lounge chairs for the pool? I'd totally still go camping if I had a mattress to sleep on, and a good chair to sit in. We went out to the river Easter Sunday and had a cookout and forgot to bring chairs...

As for kayaking, I've only been once, and while it was a lot of fun, it was more challenging than I expected, and we tipped our kayak twice. If you're a good swimmer, you'll be all right, but also consider the length of the kayak trip - how long will you be sitting in one position?

I'd say go camping, but don't commit to kayaking until you see how comfortable you are with it. I know personally I jump at any chance to go swimming these days - feels so good to be nearly weightless in the water!

BarbourWales04 · May 2012

I love VA Beach- but another thing to think about is the mosquitos. They're pretty bad in June and July. On top of everything else? I'd opt for an air conditioned hotel on or near the Oceanfront or renting a house in Sandbridge. MUCH more comfortable!

babyAutumn · May 2012

I camped at 30 weeks in a tent and was comfortable my last pregnancy but my first pregnancy, I camped at 32 weeks and was sore the whole time. I was miserable for the two days we were there and for the following week once we got home. At this point in your pregnancy, I don't think I'd be sleeping in a tent...especially if you've never camped before. I'd wait until after your baby is born.

temporalrobe · May 2012

I am a big camper. big. and i laugh a wee bit at the thought of camping.

There is no way I'm sleeping on an air mattress or sitting in a squishy camp chair or using squatty pit toilets now at 33 weeks.

and no to a kayak, but maybe to a canoe. its just so hard to hoist yourself around these days.

in conclusion, find a rustic cabin w/ a bed. or a hotel w/ a bed and a toilet.

missusbee · May 2012

Lol. Half of the women here who said HELLNO probably wouldn't enjoy camping anyway.

I love to camp and I would go tomorrow! I'd also kayak/canoe, although my concern would be less about tipping over and more just that I would get tired easily.

Julymomma · May 2012

I don't see the problem in tent camping. I plan on camping up until my due date if I can. You could always get air mattresses or a cot (probably easier to get out of lol) However, I won't be 2 hours away. Whether you go kayaking or canoeing is completely up to you I think. If you feel comfortable doing it then go for it.

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