Tips for Enjoying the Beach While Pregnant

Going to the beach while pregnant can be such a great activity. It’s beautiful, relaxing, and a great way to spend a few days before your baby is born. The downside is that pregnancy can be uncomfortable. And depending on when you visit, the beach can be really hot, which can add to the discomfort. Today I’m sharing some advice for enjoying your beach vacation while pregnant. I live at the beach and have had two Florida summer pregnancies. I’ll cover everything in this article from what to pack for a beach vacation while pregnant to how to stay comfortable, as well as some general tips that helped me.

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Must Haves for Pregnant Moms on a Beach Vacation

To start, here are some great items that will make you feel more comfortable on your beach vacation while pregnant. You might not feel like you need all of them, but some items might be helpful to add to your packing list for the beach.

• First, if you are flying for your beach vacation, maternity compression stockings will help to improve circulation and reduce swelling in your feet and legs. Admittedly, they aren’t cute, but they will make you feel so much better you probably won’t even care.
• If you are going to be walking a lot, a belly band might come in handy
• A handheld fan can help if it’s a particularly hot day. I also brought this to the hospital while I was in labor and I’m so glad that someone gave me the idea to do so. We also used it on the stroller after baby was born!
• If you chafe, then this anti-chafing stick will change your life
• Sometimes the beach chairs irritated my back. When this would happen, I preferred I preferred floating in the ocean (these floaters are so nice and easy to pack, too), which felt so good on my back and relieved so much pressure.
• Sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. I like to make sure it’s reef-safe sunscreen as well.
• Bring your own water bottle to make sure you always have access to water. I prefer my water to be cold and if you have an insulated water bottle, it stays cold much longer.
• Sun hat or visor to shade your face and prevent sunburn – this sun hat rolls up (perfect if you need more space to pack) and I also have this visor which I love.
• Sunglasses to protect your eyes from glare and UV rays
• Maternity swimsuit – I know that some people make do with what they have since maternity clothes are only used for such a short period of time, but I am so glad I got a maternity swimsuit. I was so much more comfortable.
• Cover-up or sarong to wear over your swimsuit when you’re not in the water
• Beach towel or mat to sit or lie on. Lately, Turkish beach towels are all the hype.
• We also have this sandproof beach mat, which we love. It definitely cuts down on at least some of the sand, especially if you have little kids.
• Beach chair for comfortable seating. We used to go to the beach without beach chairs and I don’t know how! I can’t recommend a good beach chair enough. If you’re going somewhere on vacation, it’s common to be able to rent very nice ones on the beach, otherwise I highly recommend getting them from Costco. They always have nice ones with padded headrests and coolers with zippers on the back. We have had ours from there for three years, so they’re durable too (and we go to the beach every weekend!)
• Beach umbrella or shelter to provide shade and protection from the sun. Similar to the chairs, you can often rent these things locally. Otherwise, they tend to be cheapest and best quality from Costco.
• A good cooler with plenty of water and snacks. We love a big, sturdy cooler if we’re going to be at the beach all day. But I know that isn’t always practical if you don’t have a wagon to carry it or if it’s a long walk to the beach. If you need to pack a cooler on your flight or if you just don’t want a big cooler, this backpack cooler works for us when we take shorter trips to the beach.
• Comfortable and supportive sandals or flip-flops for walking on the sand
• Lightweight and breathable clothing that covers your arms and legs to protect from the sun
• A waterproof pouch or container to keep your phone, keys, and other valuables safe and dry

Have Realistic Expectations on Your Beach Trip

What one person may be able to enjoy on a beach vacation while pregnant may vary greatly from someone else. If you are feeling great in your pregnancy, you may have nothing to worry about and your trip to the beach might be just like any other. But if you’re uncomfortable, get hot easier than normal, or have a lot of pain, you may have to take it a little slower than you’re used to.

Consult Your Doctor

Before planning your beach vacation while pregnant, you’re going to want to get approval from your doctor. Most doctors don’t like their patients traveling after a certain gestation so you’ll want to make sure he/she is ok with your beach travels.

Plan the Right Time to Travel to the Beach in Pregnancy

It is not uncommon to feel sick in the first trimester. That was my experience. We had some trips planned while in my first trimester, and it was tough to relax while not feeling well. I also personally prefer to be in the comfort of my own home instead of in an unfamiliar place when I’m not feeling like myself.

In the third trimester, you may be more uncomfortable due to the physical symptoms of pregnancy. Plus, your doctor may not want you to travel past a certain point, especially if you or your baby develop any health concerns. I also know that for me, I didn’t like being too far away from my doctor and hospital once I hit the third trimester. This is totally a personal preference, though. I had a friend who flew from Florida to Arizona to go hiking at 34 weeks pregnant, felt comfortable with it, and was totally fine.

While your symptoms, comfort levels, and preferences may vary in pregnancy, planning to travel in the second trimester tends to be the safest bet for both comfort and peace of mind.

Book Comfortable Accommodations

You are going to want to be as comfortable as possible if you’re traveling to the beach while pregnant. One of the ways to set yourself up for success is making sure you can sleep well.

If your resort is located close to the beach, you can go back and forth to cool off. And you can also go back to the hotel for a nap during the hottest part of the day. You may even want to consider an accommodation that has an on site spa. Then you could easily get a prenatal massage for ultimate relaxation.

Be as Comfortable as Possible on the Beach

Speaking of being comfortable, you’ll want comfortable seating while on the beach itself. I struggled with this during my first pregnancy. Beach chairs hurt my back and sitting on the ground hurt my back, too. My favorite place to be was in the water with these floats.

Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated is essential during pregnancy. If your beach destination is a warm one, then you’ll want to be extra certain you’re staying hydrated. I find it easiest to stay hydrated when I bring my own water bottle to make sure I always have access to cold water. I also love adding liquid IV for extra hydration and it tastes so good!

In addition to drinking water, you can also eat hydrating foods. Eating fruits and vegetables with high water content, such as watermelon, cucumber, celery, and oranges, can help keep you hydrated. These are also light, making them perfect for the beach snacks.

Protect Yourself From the Sun

Of course, you want to use some pregnancy safe sunscreen, but you can also take cover in shaded areas. Maybe the resort you’re staying at has comfy chairs with umbrellas, or maybe you can take cover under a palm tree. We have a beach umbrella which we love and use every time we go to the beach, even when I’m not pregnant. We also see these beach tents on our beach a lot.

Wearing a sun hat provides an extra layer of protection as well.

Pack Snacks

Hopefully you are feeling good for your trip but if you’re still having some morning sickness, these tummy drops are my favorite. I found it best throughout my pregnancies to eat several small meals throughout the day. So while we enjoyed some great restaurants, I also needed snacks. Granola bars, nuts, fruit, crackers, protein bars, and vegetables are all great options.

Cool Off

One of the best things about a beach vacation while pregnant is that you can hop in the water to cool off. Well, depending on the season. It would be a very, very cold dip in Florida waters if you visited in, say, January. But then again, you’re less likely to be scorching hot in Florida’s January sun. Getting in the water is not only a great way to cool off, it’s also great for relieving some of the pressure and weight of the baby.

I hope that this article helped provide you with some tips on visiting the beach while pregnant. The best thing you can do is go, relax, and have fun! You will probably create memories that you’ll talk about for a lifetime and you’ll always be glad you went.