Yetsuh's Question:

My wife, a novice hiker and camper, is almost five months pregnant. Assuming we can find an easy walk-in campsite, what precautions should we take or concerns should we have while hiking and camping? Are water-borne bacteria and parasites of more concern than normal? Is iodine ok for someone who is pregnant?

Yetsuh Frank
New York City

Alice's Answer:

	Alice Cary Alice introduced her oldest child, Will, to the outdoors at a very early age by climbing New Hampshire's Mt. Washington—in winter—while pregnant. And she and her family haven't stopped experiencing the joys of outdoor adventure, even with newborn twins. Meet Alice Answer Archive Family Forums

Yetsuh, you ask a lot of very important questions.

I recommend you start by having talks with two important people about these proposed outings.

First, ask your wife what she wants to do. Is she comfortable with the idea of hiking and camping? Does she think she'll enjoy the activities? How far might she like to hike? How steep a trail does she want to try? How long might she want to camp?

If she's gung-ho about these ideas, it's time she consults her doctor about the expedition. Your wife's physician knows her medical history and is aware of any special considerations or risks of this pregnancy that might impact her activities.

Here are a few general rules regarding pregnancy and exercise:

		Drink tons of water while hiking (or while doing any exercise, for that matter). Everyone needs to do this, but especially pregnant women. Dehydration is thought to be one of the triggers of premature labor.
		Eat plenty of healthy snacks. Pregnant women should do this at all times, but they need to up the ante when exercising.
		She shouldn't carry a heavy pack. Pregnant women shouldn't carry heavy loads, especially as the pregnancy progresses. She should shoulder no more than a lightweight pack with a jacket and perhaps a few snacks.
		She should watch her footing more than usual. As women progress in pregnancy, the added weight can sometimes throw off their balance, making them more prone to accidents. Avoid particularly steep trails or those with especially hazardous footing.
		Go slowly, and take plenty of rests as you hike. Many doctors recommend that pregnant women's pulse rates not be elevated for extended periods. Check with your physician about his or her exact recommendations.

My Own Experience
While I was pregnant with my son, I was quite active. We stayed in a bunkhouse in the Adirondacks and hiked Mt. Marcie, a significant peak, when I was nearly six months pregnant. All went well and we had a fabulous time.

However, a month later I was put on bed rest for six weeks because of premature labor. Thankfully, the bed rest halted the early labor, and my son Will was born healthy and full-term.

Was I too active during the pregnancy? What caused my premature labor?

We moved to a new house about the time that the problem started, so that is my best guess about the cause. I tried to take it easy but probably exerted myself more than I realized. My doctor doesn't know the answer, and no one does, as many factors contribute to premature labor.

No matter what the cause, I learned a few things from the experience. An important lesson is that it's easy for a pregnant woman to overdo without realizing it, whether you're hiking or biking or doing any kind of exertion.

I would certainly advise any pregnant woman not to push herself too much, and to consult closely with her physician about exactly how much she can safely exercise.

Iodine, Safe Water & Pregancy
I checked with my friend Buck Tilton of the Wilderness Medicine Institute of NOLS regarding the safety of iodine tablets for pregnant women.

He hastily replied: "Iodine is definitely not recommended for pregnant women."

This means you need to either provide your own safe drinking water during your outings, or filter your water. The first option is the safest.

You are right to worry that water-bourne parasites and bacteria pose a greater hazard for pregnant women.

The problem is that if a woman is afflicted with either, she'll end up with nasty intestinal problems, which could wreak havoc with both her own and the baby's nutritional needs. She definitely wants to avoid such problems, nor does she want to have to take the drugs used to treat such parasites.

With all this said, Yetsuh, I hope I haven't discouraged you and your wife from hiking and camping during her pregnancy. If your wife doesn't have any medical restrictions or problems associated with this pregnancy, you can hike and camp and have a wonderful time. Just be sure your outings are agreeable to both your wife and her doctor.

Finally, best of luck with the new member of the family.

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