Pregnancy Afloat

By Dave and Jaja

	Dave and Jaja's son Chris joined DIRECTION's crew in Australia in 1990.

I guess I am lucky because I never had to plan or prepare for a pregnancy at sea. It happened suddenly while we were in the middle of the Pacific aboard our 25-footer. I coped with things as they came along, educated myself to all the intricacies of being pregnant, and stocked up on fresh food and vitamins. While pregnant with my son Chris, I continued passage-making and island-hopping until the eighth month.

Prevention is key when outside the boundary of medical help. Anything that can be done to avoid "complications" is a good idea. I didn't smoke, or drink alcohol, and I even stopped drinking coffee and caffeinated tea. I was careful about my diet. Sailing in the tropics without refrigeration presented some nutritional challenges, but with a little imagination, an easy solution was always found. Many dairy products are UHT, or long-lasting, and fresh protein--without any chemicals, or preservatives--is swimming right under the boat (you just have to catch it). Also, fruits and vegetables that are found on remote islands are often "organically" grown.

Perhaps the biggest fear facing a pregnant woman, who is contemplating a cruise, is the "seasick issue". Taking conventional seasick pills, or patch-type motion sickness remedies, is not an option since these drugs can cross over the placenta to the unborn baby. There are some natural remedies that may work. For example, ginger or ginger ale. Certain foods might soothe a nauseous stomach, while other foods, such as spicy dishes, might aggravate it. For each person this varies greatly, just as seasickness in general varies from person to person. I was fortunate because I was never bothered by seasickness or morning sickness while pregnant.

Holly was born a year later in New Zealand. Here, she keeps watch during a passage to Fiji.

There are many advantages to living on a boat during a pregnancy. The excitement and pleasure of the cruising life will usually distract a soon-to-be mother from any discomforts she might otherwise focus on. Maternity clothes are not a problem, especially while cruising in the tropics. A big T-shirt and a large hat will be appropriate for most occasions. Beware of the sun, and protect yourself from it with sun screen.

A big advantage to going through a pregnancy afloat is the fresh air. This is not only good for the mother, it is also good for the baby. The boating life is relaxing and "low stress", but also contains an element of "natural" exercise. There is always a ladder to climb, a store to walk to, a dinghy to row, and groceries to carry. Exercise, fresh air, and freedom from worry add up to a good attitude, which is probably one of the most important things of all.

Being visibly pregnant while visiting remote island cultures is almost as good as having a small baby with you. All the native women will relate to you. You are one of them. They will accept you more readily, befriend you, and let you see into the intricacies of their lives. While traveling you can find out how these other cultures deal with pregnancy, prenatal care, child birth, and the care of small infants. It's easy to pick up some good ideas, and gain strength through pooling different philosophies.

Women have been having babies for millennia without any medical care at all. Amazing, isn't it? It must be true, though, because the presence of the human species on this planet proves it. That was my attitude about medical care when I first found out I was pregnant while sailing across the Pacific.

Then I remembered about the 30 percent mortality rate of newborns and mothers before the invention of medicine and doctors. Finding medical care for a pregnant mom while traveling is fairly easy, however. Half the population in most places is female and a good percentage of those women have babies. Even the smallest places are usually set up with some kind of prenatal clinic.

It's also amazing how many doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and others with medical backgrounds cruise on sailboats. In any given anchorage, odds are that you can find someone with good advice, kindness, and help (if you need it). Many will share medical supplies, vitamins, and their knowledge gladly. Being pregnant in an anchorage full of non-pregnant people will make you unique, and others will be interested in you and genuinely worry about how you are feeling.

The best part about going cruising while pregnant is that if it doesn't work out, you can always quit!