April 22, 2009 | Category: Hunting
Tips for Hunting When You're Pregnant
 Stephanie’s friends had a good time at her expense, giving the pregnant huntress pickles and ice cream. Instead, Stephanie satisfied her cravings with this nice gobbler! |
By Tammy Sapp
As luck would have it, Stephanie Mallory was pregnant during turkey season with both of her boys, Ethan, who is now 5 ½ years old (and adamant that the ½ year be recognized), and 19-month-old Ransom. And she was bound and determined to go on the hunts she had planned.
"I went on five or six turkeys hunts between the two pregnancies. One hunt was in my first trimester while the others were in the second trimester," Stephanie said. "A hunt in the first trimester can be hard because a lot of women feel lousy then. However, the second trimester is considered the honeymoon phase of pregnancy, when you feel good and have lots of energy. It's an ideal time to get outdoors because you're not big and bulky yet."
Before Stephanie went on any hunts, she talked to her doctor, something every woman who is expecting a child should do.
"My doctor was fine with me going hunting. Her biggest concern was with me tripping and falling. When I was out, I paid a lot of attention to my feet when I was walking through the woods."
She also asked her doctor what effect the sound of shooting might have on the baby's hearing.
"My doctor said the baby is so insulated in the womb that his hearing shouldn't be affected by a couple of shots during a turkey hunt."
Tick borne illnesses are another concern a mother-to-be must consider. Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever can be dangerous, Stephanie warned, and extra caution should be taken.
"I did my research on this topic and decided that I wouldn't use insect repellent containing DEET on my skin, though I did spray the outermost layers of my clothing with it. For clothing that was touching my skin, I used the organic repellents. Plus, I carried a Thermocell."
Stephanie also suggests being extra vigilant when checking the hair and skin for ticks.
When it comes to what you should wear, Stephanie's advice, which comes from experience, is to get bigger, more comfortable clothes or be prepared to walk around with your pants unbuttoned and your shirt hanging over your pants.
Also, when you're pregnant is no time to skimp while packing for a trip.
"Take the right kind of clothes, rain gear and warm clothes. You don't want to get a fever. A prolonged fever is bad for the baby."
By the same token, you also should make sure you stay hydrated and in the shade as much as possible when it's hot. When your body temperature rises, so does your baby's. That's why doctors tell pregnant women to stay out of hot tubs, Stephanie said. A spike in body temperature can cause birth defects and even miscarriage.
Plenty of rest is also what the doctor ordered if you're hunting when pregnant.
"Don't feel like you have to keep up with the group," Stephanie cautioned. "I did a turkey hunt at Dove Creek Outfitters outside of San Angelo, Texas. It went from 90 degrees one day to snowing the next. I was three months pregnant at the time and the only woman on this hunt. I'm pretty competitive, but decided right away that I was going to rest when I needed to. A couple of afternoons I slept when others hunted. I didn't need to push myself."
Even with a couple of naps, Stephanie still managed to bag a four-bearded gobbler on that hunt.
Another good bit of advice is make sure you have plenty of food on hand when you hit the woods to combat that queasy, low blood sugar feeling you get when pregnant.
"I had to eat every couple of hours. I brought high energy food like granola bars and trail mix. I had to have chocolate, too. And lots to drink."
Now about four months along with twin girls, considered a higher risk pregnancy, Stephanie won't be hitting the turkey woods this spring. Women who are further along with their pregnancy also should consider waiting until the next season or hunt within easy driving distance of a hospital. Stephanie recommends having that conversation with your doctor, too, especially if pre-term labor is an issue.
Stephanie's parting advice for hunting when pregnant has more to do with practicality than health issues.
"When you're pregnant, you're going to pee a lot. Make sure you're prepared for that."
As luck would have it, Stephanie Mallory was pregnant during turkey season with both of her boys, Ethan, who is now 5 ½ years old (and adamant that the ½ year be recognized), and 19-month-old Ransom. And she was bound and determined to go on the hunts she had planned.
"I went on five or six turkeys hunts between the two pregnancies. One hunt was in my first trimester while the others were in the second trimester," Stephanie said. "A hunt in the first trimester can be hard because a lot of women feel lousy then. However, the second trimester is considered the honeymoon phase of pregnancy, when you feel good and have lots of energy. It's an ideal time to get outdoors because you're not big and bulky yet."
Before Stephanie went on any hunts, she talked to her doctor, something every woman who is expecting a child should do.
"My doctor was fine with me going hunting. Her biggest concern was with me tripping and falling. When I was out, I paid a lot of attention to my feet when I was walking through the woods."
She also asked her doctor what effect the sound of shooting might have on the baby's hearing.
"My doctor said the baby is so insulated in the womb that his hearing shouldn't be affected by a couple of shots during a turkey hunt."
Tick borne illnesses are another concern a mother-to-be must consider. Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever can be dangerous, Stephanie warned, and extra caution should be taken.
"I did my research on this topic and decided that I wouldn't use insect repellent containing DEET on my skin, though I did spray the outermost layers of my clothing with it. For clothing that was touching my skin, I used the organic repellents. Plus, I carried a Thermocell."
Stephanie also suggests being extra vigilant when checking the hair and skin for ticks.
When it comes to what you should wear, Stephanie's advice, which comes from experience, is to get bigger, more comfortable clothes or be prepared to walk around with your pants unbuttoned and your shirt hanging over your pants.
Also, when you're pregnant is no time to skimp while packing for a trip.
"Take the right kind of clothes, rain gear and warm clothes. You don't want to get a fever. A prolonged fever is bad for the baby."
By the same token, you also should make sure you stay hydrated and in the shade as much as possible when it's hot. When your body temperature rises, so does your baby's. That's why doctors tell pregnant women to stay out of hot tubs, Stephanie said. A spike in body temperature can cause birth defects and even miscarriage.
Plenty of rest is also what the doctor ordered if you're hunting when pregnant.
"Don't feel like you have to keep up with the group," Stephanie cautioned. "I did a turkey hunt at Dove Creek Outfitters outside of San Angelo, Texas. It went from 90 degrees one day to snowing the next. I was three months pregnant at the time and the only woman on this hunt. I'm pretty competitive, but decided right away that I was going to rest when I needed to. A couple of afternoons I slept when others hunted. I didn't need to push myself."
Even with a couple of naps, Stephanie still managed to bag a four-bearded gobbler on that hunt.
Another good bit of advice is make sure you have plenty of food on hand when you hit the woods to combat that queasy, low blood sugar feeling you get when pregnant.
"I had to eat every couple of hours. I brought high energy food like granola bars and trail mix. I had to have chocolate, too. And lots to drink."
Now about four months along with twin girls, considered a higher risk pregnancy, Stephanie won't be hitting the turkey woods this spring. Women who are further along with their pregnancy also should consider waiting until the next season or hunt within easy driving distance of a hospital. Stephanie recommends having that conversation with your doctor, too, especially if pre-term labor is an issue.
Stephanie's parting advice for hunting when pregnant has more to do with practicality than health issues.
"When you're pregnant, you're going to pee a lot. Make sure you're prepared for that."