Pregnant and going to Burning Man!

[LauraMoore]

For those who don't know, Burning Man is an annual festival that takes place in Black Rock City Nevada (a city of about 50,000 for only 2 weeks out of the year). I have been wanting to go for the last 3 years, and I was given tickets for my 25th birthday and my fiance (at the time) and I were planning to go as our honeymoon (we were married August 1st, 4 days after finding out we were pregnant).

Initially, I decided that it would be best not to go. The weather in this location is extreme, with dust storms, high winds, freezing temperatures at night, temperatures over 100 during the day, and rain. Most participants sleep little because of the constant noise.

I am mostly concerned about the heat, and the discomfort I might feel in being so hot. I'm between 8 and 9 weeks along, and will be between 9 and 10 weeks along when we arrive. Although I have not thrown up, I do have occasional nausea and sometimes very intense fatigue that leaves me in a puddle of malaise. I have read that heat magnifies first trimester symptoms.

I am no longer concerned for the wellbeing of my baby because my midwife told me that as long as I am hydrated, everything should be fine.

Can anyone think of any other concerns I should have? Does anyone think I might be feeling better by 9 or 10 weeks, or do you think I will feel about the same as I do now (therefore, my symptoms may be quite uncomfortable out there in the dessert)?

Thank you for your thoughts.

[Peace+Hope]

that is so cool - your child will thank you one day!

just avoid the, um, refreshments and take a sturdy shade pavilion. oh, and maybe a spray bottle you can keep filled w/ water to spray on your skin. this works wonders, like xtra sweat, to lower body temp as it evaporates, especially when it's windy.

[LauraMoore]

Thank you Peace+Hope!

I happen to think the same--that our child will thank us one day!! I just hope to live through it comfortably enough to enjoy myself.. Good advice on the spray bottle! My husband already said he'll be standing by to spray me whenever I need it. I am so blessed.

[LauraMoore]

OH NO!
I just visited the Burning Man online forum and searched for any pregnancy threads...

one lead to information about a fungus in the dust that causes "Valley Fever". This can lead to flu like symptoms, but it's rare, although it says that pregnant woman are especially vulnerable, and it can also be fatal.

Does anyone know anything about this???

[GuavaGirl]

It's hard to know because everyone is difference,....but I don't think that your symptoms would necessarily be any better by then. Most likely worse. That's just how is was with me and the preggie friends I know. I believe most start feeling better as their hitting 12 or 14 weeks. ...and from my own experience and from what I hear, yes, the heat does make everything worse....as does being tired/exhausted. Personally, I don't think I could take it.

If you go, I hope you have a great time....and drink, rest, & eat often.

[KoalaMommy]

Originally Posted by LauraMoore

OH NO!
I just visited the Burning Man online forum and searched for any pregnancy threads...

one lead to information about a fungus in the dust that causes "Valley Fever". This can lead to flu like symptoms, but it's rare, although it says that pregnant woman are especially vulnerable, and it can also be fatal.

Does anyone know anything about this???

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valley_Fever
actually, it doesn't sound that rare, it actually sounds like it's pretty common among people who live in the area, it's just that only 40% of people develop a symptomatic case.

What about wearing a dust mask? I can't think of anything less freaky.

One of the treatments listed, Amphotericin B, is a category B drug for pregnancy, which means you could be safely treated if you become ill.

[Peace+Hope]

heh, dust mask would be far from freaky at burning man. maybe under your shade you could have a pregnant mask-making area

i hope you find some helpful info to combat this, and feel safe going, LM. and maybe look at the treatments, and if those are considered safe/dangerous during pregnancy?

[xixstar]

Oh I think you'll have a good time. I've been many years since I've been there and I'm just waiting to go back again...

Only suggetions I have is take plenty of m/s remedy options. I'd be taking ginger capsules for sure and taking them several times a day just to keep sickness away, at least. Perhaps some milk thistle or dandelion root tincture too for when/if feeling sick. I find being hot and humid makes m/s awful, so you'll at least not have the humidity to deal with. It can be very warm, but that's usually when we spend all our time hanging out in the shade anyways.

One suggestions I'm sure you've seen, but staying hydrated does take work for those not pregnant too. But if you notice you're getting a bit cranky or snippy, or you dh is, drink some water. I can't count the number of time that some water has solved a disagreement that shouldn't have been a disagreement at all.

I can't say that at 9-10 weeks you'll for sure be feeling better, unfortunately. But I'd make a point to be kind to yourself while you're there. Nap or rest if you need to and don't feel bad about it. Perhaps encourage dh to go running around alone if you need to nap if that'll help you feel comfortable to just sit or lie around. You're already not going to see everything, so don't push yourself too much. Finding a fun camp to just chill at if you're filling sick can still be a ton of fun, or even just sitting about at center camp can be a nice afternoon.

But hopefully, you'll be feeling awesome by then and be happy to run about everywhere and pregnancy won't be a factor at all! Have a great time!!!

[itsajenism]

I'm jealous.

That is all.

[LauraMoore]

I appreciate all of your thoughts!! Very much.. ginger capsules are a great idea -- one that I have never used but I will try it!

I will have to discuss Valley Fever with my midwife on Tuesday when I see her. It's quite a concern for me, as I already have respiratory problems (asthma, although mostly grown out of it). It would be tragic for me or my baby to die because I couldn't resist the Burning Man temptation.

And we just got costumes today!!

[LauraMoore]

Oh yeah, and the dust mask is an excellent idea too. I'll look into that, just in case the risk isn't that great anyway and we decide to go.

[cocoanib]

Awesome! I agree take lot's of m/s help with you, stay hydrated and sit it out whenever your feeling fatigued.

I wanna see some cool pic when you get back

[MandyB]

I think you should go and enjoy yourself! If you feel better with the mask, do that. It's going to be MUCH harder to go to Burning Man once the baby arrives, so go now while you can and just have fun!

[zjande]

I went to Bman in '05 at 26 weeks pregnant.

I was totally comfortable, I did my research & made sure to stay hydrated & rested & all that. And it was fun walking around with my decorated belly hanging out , BUT, I'll tell you the perfectly honest truth.... I did not enjoy Bman sober!!! I mean, it was enjoyable, but there was just no comparison for me to my previous years. I felt like it was SO expensive to be there, & I couldn't even party. Ha! I couldn't even stay up late, I was nodding off just as our friends were getting dressed up for the night out. I know not everyone goes there for the party aspect, & I met many other pregnant girls there who afterward told me they were totally satisfied with the whole event. So, it's just a personal thing for me. DH & I haven't been back since because I've been either pregnant or with a new baby ever since. LOL

Anyway, enough about me. You will have a blast, I'm sure! And congratulations on your pregnancy! :

[weliveintheforest]

Originally Posted by LauraMoore

Oh yeah, and the dust mask is an excellent idea too. I'll look into that, just in case the risk isn't that great anyway and we decide to go.

If you google images of burning man, lots of people are wearing masks, so I would bring some no matter what.

[coldandsleepy]

You'll want a mask or at least a couple of bandanas just as a normal matter of business. Mouth & nose naked during a dust storm = helloooooo sinuses full of playa dust! Not fun!

I'd take a little extra caution when doing physical things like riding your bike (though the playa can be pretty soft and pleasant to fall on at times, heh) and walking around at night (make sure you have blinkies or glowsticks or something so that no one bikes into you in the dark!).

Other than that, as long as you're going with a group of people you trust and are okay with taking it easy if you need to, you should be okay. Burning Man can be a lot of fun even if you 90% of it at your own camp sitting under a shade structure.

[sparkysgirl]

I went to wakarusa this year at 5 months prego. Did pretty good during the day, it got up in the lower to mid 90's. Battery powered fans are nice and a cooler of ice to stick my feet in worked well for keeping me cool. The main problem was that we were camped so close to the stages that it was really loud all night long. Even with earplugs I couldn't sleep, and I was miserable without proper rest. We endured the first night and the other nights I had dh drive us home (luckily we live 45 min away from the festival) for a good nights sleep. It was fun, but the sleep thing was really hard. If I had to do it again I would have camped in the family campground.

[EvolvingMama]

Hi Laura,

I live in Surprise Valley, California, in the same general area as Burning Man. I can tell you that we are not having freezing temperatures at night...more like in the 40s and 50s. Also, it's in the 80s and 90s during the day, definitely hot out there on the playa! The elevation is about 4500 feet, I think, like we are here, so if that's higher than you're used to, you may feel short of breath. And it is SUPER dry....you will need way more water than you imagine to stay hydrated.

Beyond that, sounds like there are lots of pregnant women at BM and you will have a great time!

[laurena1111]

I was just wondering how your experience was being preggo at BM? I went last year and had an amazing time. Planning on going this year but with an RV. I am also trying to get pregnant so I was just wondering if I should put it off for a couple months haha.