Want to know what it’s like to go hiking during your second trimester of pregnancy? This guide shares my experience and top hiking tips to help you make the most of this golden time during your pregnancy.
The second trimester is typically going to be when you feel your best during your pregnancy. Your bump probably hasn’t gotten to the point of being uncomfortable yet. A lot of people also report feeling less nauseous and more energetic compared to how they felt during the first trimester. That’s why hiking during this time can be a really great way to stay active and move your body.
Besides my belly getting bigger (and not sleeping great thanks to some digestive issues), I largely felt like I was back to my old self throughout my second trimester. However, you may still feel extra tired or have morning sickness. Later in the second trimester you may also start to experience pelvic pain or pressure (or a whole slew of other pregnancy related side effects!).
Like anything else when it comes to pregnancy everyone’s experience is going to be different. That’s totally normal. Always listen to your body and honor where your energy is at!
Disclaimer: Hiking While Pregnant
Make sure to consult your doctor or midwife for personal medical advice regarding hiking while you’re pregnant. While hiking is going to be safe for most people, it may not be advised if you have a high-risk pregnancy or other health conditions.
My OB and midwife didn’t give me any limitations around the hikes I could do, but your doctor may provide specific guidelines around things like your heart rate or a maximum elevation to stay under. For example, if you live at sea level your doctor might recommend skipping high altitude hikes on a trip to Colorado!
Tips For Hiking During Your Second Trimester of Pregnancy
1. The Energy Surge is Real (For Some)
One of the most common things you’ll hear while pregnant is that you’re going to get a surge of energy during your second trimester (at least compared to your energy levels in your first trimester). While this is definitely the case for many people (myself included), it may or may not be the case for you.
If you are fortunate to experience a surge of energy, you’ll probably find hiking to be refreshingly easy during the second trimester. In fact, I felt completely back to normal on the trail and honestly forgot I was pregnant during most hikes.
Given the time of year that I was in my second trimester (October-December), I wasn’t going on any crazy, strenuous hikes, but I was still able to get out regularly. Most of the hikes I did were either in the desert in Western Colorado and Southern Utah, or in the rainforest in Costa Rica. It was really nice to take advantage of the extra energy I had and enjoy some fresh air and time in nature!
2. Be Careful Not to Overdue It
While I felt great hiking throughout my second trimester, there were a couple of occasions where my body let me know that I was overdoing it. Some key signs included cramping, nausea, and extreme fatigue afterwards.
During my babymoon trip to Costa Rica there was one day where my husband and I went on multiple hikes followed by a chocolate and coffee tour. After the tour I went back to our Airbnb and completely crashed. I felt nauseous, and even though I was hungry, I couldn’t bring myself to eat. The only thing I could do was lay in bed curled up in the fetal position. Even though I felt totally fine throughout the day I learned a valuable lesson that I couldn’t push my body the same way I did pre-pregnancy.
As you know, every day is different during pregnancy. Some days you may feel great hiking 7+ miles. Others you may start feeling tired after 3 or 4. It’s really important to listen to your body and not be afraid to take things easy or stop more frequently.
When it comes to choosing a trail it’s always best to err on the side of caution when it comes to the distance and difficulty. You don’t want to commit to a challenging out-and-back hike only to find yourself struggling the entire way back. Take stock of how you feel that day and don’t be afraid to turn back early if you start feeling weak or tired.
3. Make Sure to Fuel and Hydrate Properly
It’s always important to stay properly fueled and hydrated while hiking, but it’s extra important during pregnancy. During my second trimester I noticed that on days that my body started sending me signs that I was doing too much, I usually hadn’t eaten or hydrated enough earlier in the day or during my hike.
I’ve always been notoriously bad about snacking and staying fueled during hikes. I prefer just pushing through and eating a full meal afterwards. Pregnancy has really forced me to be mindful of stopping to have a snack on the trail, even if it’s just a handful of nerds gummy clusters.
Make sure you have a solid meal before heading out on a hike and pack some snacks with carbs and protein to enjoy while you’re on the trail. Here are some of my favorite hiking snack ideas if you need some inspiration. Also make sure to carry enough water and be diligent about actually drinking it.
4. Don’t Neglect Recovery
Growing a baby is hard work on its own. Getting out for a hike while you’re pregnant is going above and beyond, which means you deserve to rest afterwards! It’s worth it to spend a little bit of extra time prioritizing your recovery after going on a hike during your second trimester.
This could look like stretching, going out to eat for a proper meal, taking a warm (but not too hot!) bath with epsom salts, or just taking a nap. If you’re hiking while on vacation, you can even use it as an excuse to schedule a prenatal massage afterwards. Regardless of what you choose to do, make sure you give your body a chance to recover.
I hope these tips help you feel confident and prepared to continue hiking during your second trimester. Still in your first trimester? Read my guide on the realities of hiking during the first trimester!
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