Hot on HuffPost Parents:
Gay Activists Rally Ahead Of Boy Scouts' Ban Vote
How Long Did Neanderthals Nurse? Old Tooth Yields Answer
Camping while pregnant
Filed under: Just For Moms, Just For Dads, Your Pregnancy, Activities: Babies, Places To Go, Health & Safety: Babies
Some friends -- part of the same group we went with last time -- are organizing another camping trip. This time, it's the last weekend in April. Naturally, I want to go. Rachel, however, is complaining that it is close to her due date and she doesn't want to be out in the middle of nowhere that close to going into labor.I don't see the big problem, however. There will actually be a doctor (although not practicing) on the trip and we wouldn't be that far from home -- I figure if I've got a pregnant woman in the car I could make it back to the City in less than half an hour. Besides, it will be almost two whole weeks (thirteen days) before she's actually due.
So far, we've settled on a compromise -- I'll take the kids camping and she'll hang out with her folks for the weekend. The state park where we're going does get cell phone reception, although not from the company we're signed up with -- I'll likely just pick up a no-contract, pay-as-you go phone for the weekend, just in case.
Still, it seems like Rachel's a little worried about the whole situation. I know she wants the kids to be able to go camping, but I also think she'd just as soon have me stay home. What do you think? Would you let your husband go camping that close to your due date? Would you go camping?
Your<span>Voice</span>
Ask Us Anything About Parenting
TheTalkies:RelatedVideos
-
How to Choose Camping Packs
The great outdoorsman Dick Person explains about the types of packs that you may want with you next time you go camping, such as Canoe, backpacks and daypacks.
-
Asthma Specialty Camps
School's out! It's summer time, and what better way to spend it than at summer camp. But not all camps are created equal. Take a look at one that's helping children from every walk of life cope with an all too common and sometimes life-threatening cond
-
Bret Lockett Talks About Working At Snoop Dogg's Summer Charity Camp
New England Patriots safety Bret Lockett recently did some charity work by working at Snoop Dogg's Summer Charity camp. Bret says that he's always been big on helping others and he really enjoyed his time at the summer camp.
-
Summer Camp Celebs Before They Were Stars!
It's time to sit around the camp fire with Natalie Portman, Robert Downey, Jr. and Jon Cryer and sing 'Kumbayah'! Check out who attended Stagedoor Manor, the kids summer camp for future stars!
SitesWeLove
- Site Map
- |
- Staff
- |
- Terms of Service
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Trademarks
- |
- Advertise With Us
- |
- About Our Ads
- |
- AOL Downloads
- |
- Contact Us
- |
© Copyright 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Aol Family
ReaderComments (Page 1 of 2)
3-13-2008 @ 5:08PM
Michmstr@aol.com said...I think if you are accessible by phone and not too far away, Rachel should be thrilled at the chance to have a few days to herself for what might be the last time in a long time!
As for me, I force myself to go on an annual camping trip every summer with 10 families because my daughter loves it so much. This year I have an excuse - I'm pregnant, I'll be 6 or 7 months along by the June trip. No one will expect me to camp! Since sleeping on the ground holds no appeal to me when not pregnant, I'll gladly wave goodbye to my daughter and husband and enjoy my relaxing weekend.
Reply
3-13-2008 @ 4:13PM
Jennifer said...Uh uh...not even...no way. Unless Rachel has a record of having her babies late I wouldn't chance it (and even then I don't think I would.) Remember back when she was that pregnant before...how comfortable do you think she is going to be? There are going to be many opportunities for the kids/family to go camping, why even take the chance? And, of course, she would prefer you stay home...she doesn't want the added stress of worrying if you will be able to make it to the hospital on time but, being the great momma she is, she doesn't want the kids to miss the opportunity either. Heck, I am trying to figure out how the heck I can justify my husband not going to work when I get closer to my due date (there’s not a chance in h*ll he won’t, but we live 35 miles outside of LA and he works in LA; just imagine that traffic!)
Good luck!
Reply
3-13-2008 @ 4:18PM
Kristin said...Absolutely not. My first two came 3 weeks early and being pregnant with my 3rd, I would not go anywhere or let my husband go anywhere within a month of my due date.
Reply
3-13-2008 @ 4:19PM
Tree said...Since I usually have mine 2 wks early with labors so fast a half hour drive would be too long, hell no!
But that's just me.
Reply
3-13-2008 @ 4:22PM
Eva said...I wouldn't risk it and I would be quite angry if my husband decided to go anyway. Do what the pregnant lady says! (That's the rule.)
Reply
3-13-2008 @ 4:46PM
CLM said...Nope, not a chance.
Reply
3-13-2008 @ 4:58PM
Christina said...I'm sorry, you really have to ask? When you are pregnant and have to deal with all the wonderful "uncomforts" that come with pregnancy, then maybe, MAYBE I could entertain the question. Perhaps a little more sensitivity is in order....
Reply
3-13-2008 @ 4:58PM
Karen said...If it was me, I'd go. Of course, I always go to 41+ weeks and don't have labors that are that quick. Of course, I homebirth and my DH is a paramedic, so the prospect of "something happening" doesn't worry me so much.
Reply
3-13-2008 @ 5:01PM
Amy said...No and no. There will be plenty of other opportunities. Being extremely pregnant, even as a multipara, is an extremely vulnerable time. She needs to be home, and she needs you to be there with her, from about 4 weeks prior to her due date until she delivers, and then 4 weeks after the birth, minimum. And by "be there" I mean that you should be home as much as you possibly can - no extra-curriculars. Period.
Too many things could go wrong. No woman wants to be 9 months pregnant and running around in the woods. No woman wants to give birth alone, while her husband is running around in the woods.
Skip it.
Amy @ http://prettybabies.blogspot.com
Reply
3-13-2008 @ 5:32PM
Serena said...If my husband wanted to sleep outside in April all he'd have to do is suggest I go camping at 38 weeks pregnant. I'd gladly have tossed his pillow out the window and locked the door behind him.
Reply
3-13-2008 @ 6:02PM
Sabrina said...I don't think my husband would even suggest camping to me if I were that close to my due date, but who knows? Frankly I wouldn't want to attend even if I was not pregnant, but if it wasn't for the whole due date timing thing I'd have happily waved goodbye to them and wished them a happy trip from the front porch. I don't think I'd be comfortable with him leaving for a trip in an area that could be remote when it was even possible that I could go into labor. I was pretty unhappy when he was in Korea while I was pregnant, but he got home *just* in time to see our DD being born. Since my history has been one overdue birth (43 weeks with DD) and one early birth (36 or 37 weeks with DS) I'd probably err on the side of caution and tell him he better stay his behind home!
Reply
3-13-2008 @ 6:33PM
Kecia said...I can see why sleeping on the ground = not fun at this point, but why is it a problem for you to be a half hour away? Aren't you, you know, frequently a half hour's drive away?
But she's the pregnant one, so . . .
Reply
3-13-2008 @ 6:55PM
Bethany said...Oh my goodness. I'm 34 weeks pregnant and my husband isn't even allowed to go to his favorite fishing spot, which is an hour away. Granted this is our first...
If she has communicated that she doesn't want to go and she prefer you not go, DON'T GO! Your pregnant wife is more important than ONE missed camping trip. Why would you give her more to worry about??? Do men really not understand what we go through? It may be hard for you, but try to put yourself in her shoes. Trying to finagle a deal out of her that will make you happy is, in my opinion, selfish. During this time especially, your wife's needs and desires should come first.. without the side of guilt-trip. She is growing a HUMAN BEING inside of her and it's going to want to come out SOON! The due date is an ESTIMATE and you don't really know when that baby is going to want out! GAH! Have some sense man!
Reply
3-13-2008 @ 7:04PM
queenoqueens said...Just ask yourself, if she does go into labor and you're camping with the kids, how would you feel? And even if you're comfortable with the scenario, but your wife is not, do you still think it's worth her possible bad feelings about it?
Perhaps every other wife would be cool with it, but all that matters is that your wife wants you there.
I'm guessing she's worth the sacrifice.
Reply
3-13-2008 @ 8:49PM
bko222 said...I'd go. Half an hour from home is no big deal. The only part that sucks (and I say this from experience), is lugging yourself up and out of the tent three times a night to pee. I went camping in the Yukon when I was pretty pregnant, and the cold rain at night while I was stumbling away from the tent to find a nice tree was not all that welcome.
Reply
3-13-2008 @ 10:01PM
Lori said...Whatever Rachel wants would be what you should do. I wouldn't disagree with a pregnant woman. I was going to say I'd go since it's only half an hour away. But then bko222 reminded me about how many times you get up to use the bathroom when you're that far along. I can't imagine lugging myself to a port-a-potty/public restroom/the nearest log when I'm that pregnant. My husband and kids can go camping as often as they like, but I'm picking the option that lets me stay home in my nice, comfortable bed and drink smoothies.
3-13-2008 @ 9:54PM
jane said...If your wife is “really” fine with you going, I’d say go. But sometimes women say “yes, it’s fine” when it’s NOT fine. You know???? Given that said, if it were me, I’d be up for it. I’m just like that. I am one hour one way from my hospital so half that time would seem great to me. Do what’s best for you and your family. I’d say if Jared and Sarah really want to go it might be worth it to go for them before the new baby gets here.
Reply
3-14-2008 @ 2:50AM
Mimi said...This is quite simple actually. The answer is NO.
Big NO.
Geez, only a man would ask...
Reply
3-14-2008 @ 9:53AM
maria said...My husband would ask (actually he hates camping but he would consider a work trip). But then he'd remember that our last 2 came 3 1/2 weeks early.
Reply
3-14-2008 @ 8:45PM
Jen Henry said...Ok. I was the wife that went camping while pregnant. I was not 2 weeks from my due date. I wouldn't have gone that far along, but I was 8 months pregnant and I will say that I was very uncomfortable. Even with some accommodations we made to our camping gear to try to make things easy it wasn't.
My most vivid memory was my daughter (in utero) kicking my husband in the rear while were laying in bed. He assumed it was me. I had never had the baby kick so hard before but even she seemed fed up.
Jen
http://furoreandfrenzy.com
Reply