Shortly after we paid for our first package of bees, I found out that I was pregnant. I started to wonder if I could still do beekeeping while pregnant.
While it is best to talk to your personal doctor about the risks of beekeeping while pregnant, I will share my experience plus some tips I have learned along the way!
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Getting the Bees
We got our bees when I was nearing the end of my first trimester. We ordered two 3 lb. packages of bees, and my husband and I picked them up in our car.
On the drive home, we kept the windows down for any stragglers. Thankfully, we didn’t have any issues with getting stung! We opted to not wear our bee suits, but wearing them would have provided extra protection!
Before installing the bees, we made sure that our suits were fully zipped to ensure that no bees could enter. Neither of us got stung even though we were dealing with over 20,000 bees!
Safety Considerations for Beekeeping while Pregnant
There are some important safety considerations for beekeepers, but they are perhaps even more pressing when pregnant!
Here are some important things to consider before beekeeping while pregnant.
Beating the Heat
Most hive inspections occur during the summer months. So, if you are pregnant during the summer… it is easy to get dehydrated or overheated quickly.
Try to keep your inspections short and take breaks if needed. Drink plenty of water prior to an inspection. Bring a stool along if you need to sit during the inspection.
I try to save my hive inspections for days that are cooler… or cooler for a midwest summer, that is! I also try not to do them during the hottest part of the day.
On especially hot days when we need to get a hive inspection done, my husband does the inspections by himself.
Taking Allergy Precautions for Beekeeping while Pregnant
If you aren’t sure if you are allergic prior to becoming a beekeeper, it may be worth getting allergy tested. At the very least, I recommend talking to your doctor or midwife about steps to take if you find out that you are allergic or if you get stung.
If pregnant, talk to your doctor or midwife beforehand about what medications you can safely take while pregnant in case you have an allergic reaction to a bee sting. Then, have those on hand in case of an emergency.
My husband and I are not allergic to bees which we learned thanks to an unfortunate run-in with them years ago prior to becoming beekeepers! However, we don’t know if our children are allergic or not.
Our bees are far back on our property and we haven’t had any issues with them swarming, but we still want to be prepared in case of an emergency!
Our doctor cannot prescribe an emergency epipen without a known allergy, but they recommended keeping children’s Benadryl on hand in case of an emergency with one of our kids. If you have concerns, whether for yourself or for your family, seek your doctors advice for precautionary steps to take to be prepared.
Bee Suit Recommendations
Look for a bee suit that is breathable and ventilated. I also recommend sizing up at least one size, maybe two, while pregnant. Make sure your bee suit is zipped up all the way and that you have gloves like these to protect your hands!
I have a cotton bee suit that has worked well, but if you live in an especially hot climate, a ventilated suit like this one might be a better option.
This is the suit that I have and love! It is high quality but more affordable than many suits on the market. I also have a large head, and this type of hood fit me better than the hat version!
My pre-pregnancy size is a small, and I sized up a to a medium. Sizing up one size is actually recommended whether you are pregnant or not!
At 6 months pregnant, I can still wear it but it is starting to get a little snug. I might have to borrow my husband’s suit toward the end of my pregnancy depending on how much my belly grows over the next few months.
Have Help when Beekeeping while Pregnant
If possible, try to do your inspections when you have help or another adult present. This way, in case something goes wrong, you won’t be alone!
If you aren’t able to do your hive inspections with someone else present, I recommend at least telling a trusted relative, neighbor, or friend when you will be doing your hive inspection and check in with them after. It’s better to be safe than sorry when beekeeping while pregnant, especially during high heat indexes!
Treating Stings
According to UPMC Health Beat, “If you get a bee or wasp sting during pregnancy, you don’t have to worry that the venom itself will harm your baby. Bees and wasps don’t spread disease. But a severe allergic reaction to a bee or wasp sting during pregnancy may pose a danger to you or your baby.”
If you do get stung, remove the stinger, wash it with soap and water, and apply a cold pack. Check with your doctor or midwife prior to taking any pain or allergy medications to make sure that it is safe for you and your baby.
You can also make a paste out of baking soda to put on the stings for some relief.
Beekeeping is a fun and rewarding hobby. It may be scary to try it while pregnant, but you can be a successful beekeeper while pregnant if you take some of the precautions above!
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