Boating Safety Tips for Pregnant People

Last Updated on October 11, 2024 by Boatsetter Team

20 tips to have fun on the water safely while expecting

Follow the proper safety precautions. You can likely go boating while pregnant, but there are a few considerations. Not all pregnancies are created equal, so think through your particular circumstances before committing to any sporting activity when expecting.

1. Consult your healthcare provider. If they have concerns about your pregnancy, they’ll outline the risks.
2. The trimester makes a difference. The first and third trimesters may be dangerous for the baby or uncomfortable for the mother, while the second term may be easier. In the third trimester, your ovaries produce a hormone called relaxin that loosens ligaments, leaving you a bit wobbly. Think through your mobility getting on and off the vessel and scope out handholds.
3. Consider the boat and location. Sailing on a heeling (tippy) monohull offshore is vastly different than enjoying mellow lake life on a pontoon boat, so consider where you’ll boat and what kind of vessel you will use. You can find a variety of boats on a sharing service like Boatsetter that will provide lots of information about the vessel’s amenities and abilities.
4. Research the skipper you’ll have before signing up for the adventure. Jetting at 40 knots across rough water with a madman is rarely fun for anyone, much less for a pregnant woman, so know the boat and the captain before committing.
5. Don’t go boating if you’re nervous. This is not the time to prove your courage to anyone, especially if you’re a first-time boater.
6. Check the weather so you know whether to expect choppy water and what to wear. It’s always best to dress in layers because it can get cold on a boat, even on a hot day.
7. For peace-of-mind, do prior research on the closest emergency care in the area where you’ll be boating, just in case.
8. Ask about restroom facilities on the boat or nearby on shore. Being jostled will put more pressure on your bladder.
9. Advanced pregnancy changes your center of gravity, so move with caution and three points of contact – two hands and a foot, two feet and a hand. Basically, hold on at all times and wear shoes with good traction so you don’t slip.
10. The center of the boat is usually the most stable, so avoid the bouncy bow or the stern, where you may smell nauseating engine exhaust fumes.
11. It’s easy to lose track of your liquid intake on a boat in the sun.
12. Stay cool. Sit in the breeze rather than inside the vessel, or bring a battery-operated personal fan.
13. Bring a snack, but make sure it’s small and won’t upset your stomach. Crackers are great.
14. Seasickness medicine like Dramamine or Bonine generally doesn’t have any contraindications with pregnancy but ask your doctor if it’s safe to use in your particular case.
15. If you’re unwell, don’t hide it from the crew or captain – let them know so they can help or get you ashore quickly.
16. Ensure shade is available aboard so you don’t overheat, and bring sunscreen and sunglasses.
17. Heat and humidity can cause swelling, so wear comfortable shoes and maybe leave the rings at home.
18. Bring or find a PFD aboard that will fit your current shape and wear it, or keep it close at hand.
19. Don’t lift heavy gear or pull on any lines. Let the crew do the work.
20. Ask your doctor if you can go for a swim. The water will cool you down, reduce swelling, increase circulation, and maybe even provide that necessary pee break.

Boating while pregnant can be a wonderful way to relax and enjoy time with family and friends, but safety should always be your top priority. By following these tips and considering your unique circumstances, you can have fun on the water while minimizing risks. Always listen to your body, consult your healthcare provider, and ensure that your boating environment is comfortable and safe.

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Zuzana Prochazka

Zuzana Prochazka is an award-winning freelance journalist and photographer with regular contributions to more than a dozen sailing and powerboating magazines and online publications including Southern Boating, SEA, Latitudes & Attitudes and SAIL. She is SAIL magazines Charter Editor and the Executive Director of Boating Writers International. Zuzana serves as judge for SAIL’s Best Boats awards and for Europe’s Best of Boats in Berlin. 

A USCG 100 Ton Master, Zuzana founded and manages a flotilla charter organization called Zescapes that takes guests adventure sailing at destinations worldwide. 

Zuzana has lived in Europe, Africa and the United States and has traveled extensively in South America, the islands of the South Pacific and Mexico.