MIKAELA’S TIPS FOR ENJOYING PREGNANCY OUTDOORS

• Be open with your midwife and chat through your options, desires and concerns.

• Go easy on yourself; now is not the time

to embark on a new climbing project. • Lower your usual levels of activity as you feel appropriate and try not to overstretch yourself.

• Listen to your body and rest when it tells

you to.

• In the first trimester (and in fact throughout pregnancy) eat what you can/ want and don’t worry too much about it. • If you plan to travel overseas, check

NHS Fit For Travel and talk to your travel nurse or NHS Direct.

• Seek out supportive people and communities. My climbing buddies were more than happy for me to come along as a trio, even though I wasn’t belaying or leading (I did take some snazzy photos though).

• Being outdoors is good for your mental and physical health, especially during pregnancy. Embrace what you love and make the adjustments that are right for you. Perhaps pregnancy is not the time to start a new sport, but you know your body and limitations better than anyone else. What is right for one person may not be for you and vice versa, so take advice from others with a pinch of salt; most of it is well-meaning.