Backpacking during 2nd tri.

ashybear · June 2013

Hi all,

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience backpacking while pregnant. I lead 1-2 trips each summer, and have one coming up in August, when I will be 15 weeks pregnant. It's just a two night trip, about 15 miles round trip, at about 10'500 in the Eastern Sierra Nevada.

I know my first stop is my doctor, but I won't even meet my midwife or OB/GYN until next week for the first time, so I was hoping to get some 'on the ground' feedback first. I know I will need extra snacks, and to just listen to my body, and I'm expecting to not use the waist band on my pack. Any other thoughts?

Has anyone had any luck with maternity clothes for hiking/backpacking? I really don't want to rebuy my whole wardrobe, but I am at least going to need pants (Maybe some wicking long yoga pants?). And I'm cursing myself, because 2 years ago I bought a Patagonia down jacket - my big investment! - but I bought a child size because I'm short and cheap, and it's not going to afford me much wiggle room. It's awkward timing because I just have no idea if I'll be showing by then, or how my early second trimester symptoms will be.

Any thoughts are appreciated!

blondolphn · June 2013

Talk to your dr. There are a lot of things that could make this trip sucky. It depends on how much weight you are carrying. The dr. may not sign off on that. With out the hip belt, the pack really isn't going to fit well, so that means the weight won't fit right. Also, some people have problems with their feet swelling, which is already a problem while hiking. Basically, I'm saying don't put yourself in a situation where you are fully committed.

cjm724 · June 2013

Definitely talk to your doctor. There are several factors that may consider you a higher risk pregnancy. As for your clothes, I wouldn't imagine you would need to buy anything maternity at 15 weeks. Most people don't even start showing until 5 months along. Also, depending on the material of the pants, you may find that they still fit just fine. I can squeeze a pair of non maternity jeans and 2 pairs of shorts on still, and i'm 36 weeks. I just wear them lower than I used to.

NatesCupcake47 · July 2013

I did a short backpacking trip 3 weeks ago and I was 23 weeks pregnant. My midwife gave me the all clear to go as long as I was feeling comfortable. It was a fantastic weekend with just DH and myself. We really enjoyed the opportunity to get out in the woods. I really wish I could go again, but now at almost 27 weeks I'm getting a bit too big to comfortably move around so we will stick to car camping.

A few tips I found online that were helpful- keep your pack right around 20lbs- mine was 22, use TWO trekking poles (I only brought one thinking I'd be ok, DH ended up giving me the single one he brought for himself to use so I'd have two), and really listen to your body! Stop if you need too and drink TONS of water and make sure you are getting lots of calories.

At 15 weeks it seems like you should be fine for that distance of a trip (obviously check with your dr/midwife)- I know I would have been. For this trip we backpacked 5 miles in/out and spent both nights at that campsite and then just day-hiked around 8 miles the second day (DH carried our food/water that day).

I was able to get a cheap pair of hiking pants off REI-outlet.com that fit me and then just used my regular hiking tops.

Here's a pic from that weekend just for fun :-) :

ashybear · July 2013

Fun! Thank you for sharing!

One *little* change: Since I originally posted, I found out that we're actually 4 weeks farther along than we thought! So I will actually be 19 weeks.

My midwife did say that as long as I'm active and feeling good until the trip that she would give me the go-ahead. I have been trying to get in at least a short hike each day, and I'll work my way up to 5 miles with weight.

I have another midwife appointment two weeks before the trip. And I'd read 25 pounds, so I will try to stick with that, or a little bit less. I'm leading the trip this year with a new co-leader, but my old co-leader and dear dear friend as well as my sister are both attending, and have offered to play the "DH role" and help with the extra weight.

I saw a pair of Prahna yoga pants at REI that I'm thinking of buying, though I'm loathe to give up pockets. But I am living in skirts and dresses these days and can hardly imagine being tightly buttoned in!

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Backpacking during 2nd tri.

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