There are fifty thousand guides to surviving comic book conventions already. I’ve even written a few. But this year’s San Diego Comic Con is a first for me: my first con while pregnant.
So how am I planning on surviving this con while hauling around a seven month baby bump and all the accompanying aches and pains? Here’s my list of tips for staying as comfortable as you can at any convention:
Drink lots of water.
You’ll have to pee a lot, sure, but staying hydrated will keep you and your offspring much more comfortable. If you’re far enough along, you may have already noticed that not drinking enough water can lead to Braxton-Hicks contractions. You probably don’t want those while you’re trying to cruise the exhibit hall, so make time for bathroom breaks and keep your water bottle full. (Another tip: bring your own water bottle and fill it up at the fountains. It’s a hell of a lot cheaper than shelling out absurd amounts of money for bottled water from the vendors in the convention center.)
Bring snacks.
At the vast majority of conventions, the food available to buy is pretty junky. Now, I’m not advocating eating strictly healthy foods all the time while pregnant. I love my french fries and cookies as much as the next knocked up person. But if you’re at a con all day or all weekend, the food gets pretty gross after a while. And do you really want to pay $5 for a cookie or $8 for terrible nachos every time you get hungry? Pack some snacks, preferably some calorie dense stuff like granola bars as well as carrot sticks or something similar if you can swing it. This is obviously easier if the con is local, but even if you’re out of town, it’s worth it to pick up some snacks to carry along.
Wear comfortable shoes.
This one goes without saying, really. Your feet are probably already prone to getting sore and swollen. Wear comfortable, supportive shoes because chances are you’ll be doing a lot of walking. If you’re prone to swollen feet and ankles, ask your obstetrician if it’s okay to wear compression socks. They might not be super attractive, especially if you end up with the drug store variety (the ones that’ll make you look like a grandpa minus the plastic sandals), but if you get the okay to wear them, they can really help reduce swelling.
If you’re cosplaying while pregnant, I salute you. I thought about it, but I’ve been so scatterbrained and tired that I didn’t manage to get anything together. But if you are, keep the shoe advice in mind. Something comfortable might not be as accurate, but your feet will thank you if you go for comfort instead.
Think about a back brace.
I’ve been having sacroiliac joint pain in my lower back, which is a delight, let me tell you. Under my doctor and physical therapist’s advice, I’ve been wearing a maternity SI support belt, and that thing has saved my bacon. It’s honestly the only way I’m going to be able to walk around SDCC without being in constant pain. Even if you aren’t having serious back pain, being on your feet this much could be really uncomfortable on you. Ask your OB about a support belt or something similar to give your belly some extra lift and support. Even a belly band can help.
Sit down often.
I know there’s a lot to see, but don’t push yourself too hard. If you start getting tired, find someplace to sit and rest for a while. Most cons will have seating areas; San Diego has several spots with tables and chairs, or you can park it in a panel for an hour or two. If you can find a spot where you can prop your feet up, even better.
If you can, bring a camp chair or something like that so you don’t have to sit on the floor if you don’t feel like going to a panel or if the tables are all full. We picked up a Helinox Chair One each for myself and my husband because we like to sit in out-of-the-way halls at SDCC to costume watch. I know it’ll be hard to get my ass down onto the floor and back up again, so the chairs are going to be fantastic. They collapse down very small and only weigh about 2 pounds each (so make your partner carry them in a backpack).
Listen to your body.
Again, this is a goes without saying thing, but listen to yourself. It’s tempting to try to do as much as you can, and for some pregnant people, they still have the stamina and energy to do everything like they did in their pre-knocked up days. But if you’re like me (slightly anemic and filled to the brim with back pain), don’t feel bad about bailing early if you get too tired or start feeling crappy. If you’re staying at a hotel close to the convention center, go take a nap or put your feet up for a while. I’ll be perched in my camp chair with my feet on Mr Fangirl’s lap, jealous of you.
Me and the Death Star Baby, well before seven months.
Have fun!
That’s what cons are for, after all.
Have you done a con while pregnant? What’s your advice for making it as fun and comfortable as possible? Let us know in the comments!
