Not Just Bug Spray: The Overlooked Camping Essential To Pack If You're Pregnant

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Escaping for a weekend to the mountains or a recreational lake can be just the thing an expectant mama needs — especially one who's lucky enough to have a partner or family members willing to handle the cooking, cleanup, and heavy lifting. In fact, some outdoor lovers swear by camping frequently throughout their pregnancy. As one Redditor put it, "The only part that wasn't as fun [w]as getting up to pee a whole bunch in the night — that is definitely easier at home but didn't keep me from camping at all." In addition to more frequent instances of "nature calling" — literally — there are other potential pitfalls to keep on your radar, like sharp rocks and shells along the beach (not to mention the occasional rusty nail). For those moments, you'll be glad you packed one of the most crucial camping-while-pregnant essentials: sea shoes.

Sea shoes (aka water shoes) are light, breathable, amphibious shoes that not only protect your feet against sharp objects, but also add a protective layer between potential parasites in the sand and soil. Hookworms and Strongyloides (a type of roundworm) are found mostly in warm, rural regions of the southern United States. Hookworm infections in pregnant people can lead to severe anemia, which can potentially decrease a breastfeeding parent's milk production and/or lower a baby's birth weight. Additionally, studies have shown that hookworm infections can continue to impact children intellectually as they grow and develop.

So you know you need sea shoes, but now the question is, which ones? Not all sea shoes are created equal, and more importantly, not all are developed with a pregnant person's needs in mind. Many water shoes are made to fit snugly to the foot — some are even designed like a thick pair of waterproof socks. But as pregnant people (especially in the third trimester) experience swelling and elongation in their feet, wide-fitting or adjustable shoes like the Vibram Women's FiveFingers V-Aqua provide a better fit. For maximum safety, podiatrists recommend mesh, neoprene, or other quick-drying materials, and bottom soles with tread in multiple directions to avoid slipping on flat surfaces.

You can also opt for grounding shoes, which are designed to mimic the feeling of walking barefoot, with copper plugs in the sole to help absorb natural antioxidants and nutrients from the earth. A good option is Zureto's grounding shoes, which are wide-toed and unisex. They're best for walking the shoreline and wading in the water.

Some shoes are advertised as water-friendly, but those who wear them recommend proceeding with caution, like a group of Redditors discussing parents and children who have slipped and fallen while wearing Crocs. Not all waterproof shoes are sea shoes, and not all sea shoes are made for pregnant people.