Your doctor confirmed that you are pregnant! Congratulations. But, you and your partner had booked a family ziplining trip due in a month. Is it okay for you to go? I know you looked forward to conceiving, but you also love the fun that comes with ziplining. Can you go ziplining while pregnant?
Read on to find out more.
So Can You Go Ziplining While Pregnant?
While it boils down to a personal decision, you should not go ziplining while pregnant. The sport can harm the mother and unborn baby in various ways. Most ziplining harnesses and lanyards could pressure your abdomen, hurting your unborn child.
Additionally, ziplining could be disastrous if you are experiencing pregnancy complications such as fatigue, nausea and sensitive/sore back. Also, your weight might exceed the required limits, putting you at risk of accidents or falls if the cable breaks apart.
Some companies allow ziplining while pregnant, especially if you’re in the first or second trimesters. However, it’s not worth the risk.
Why You Shouldn’t Zipline During Early Pregnancy (1st and 2nd Trimesters)
The bump may be visible during this time or just shaping up. You may also be experiencing early pregnancy complications, which may make your ziplining experience uncomfortable. Since most women are within the weight limit by this time, how is ziplining in early pregnancy risky?
1. Nausea
If you’re feeling nauseated, plus other morning sickness signs, flying high in a zipline may worsen nausea.
2. Fatigue
Ziplining is a sport requiring alertness and energy. For pregnant women experiencing fatigue, they may feel more tired and sleepy.
3. Urge to urinate frequently
As the baby grows, they mount pressure on your bladder, making you feel like emptying it constantly. Imagine you’re in a zipline that may take an average of 1-2 hours before stopping, and then you get an urge to urinate.
It could be a very uncomfortable ziplining experience that may leave you with soiled clothes too. Some ziplining companies have washrooms along the way, but you better not try it.
4. Tender/sore/ painful breasts
As your baby grows, your breasts become bigger, more sensitive and sore. Some women can’t stand wearing a bra due to discomfort. Zipline workers must secure a harness around your chest for safety reasons. This may exert pressure on your breasts, making them more painful.
Can You zipline While Pregnant And in The Third Trimester?
No. You shouldn’t zipline at any stage in pregnancy. In the third trimester, it’s riskier because you have grown body-wise, and your unborn child is fully developed. By now, your belly is visible and the posture is uncomfortable.
The following are reasons why you shouldn’t zipline during late pregnancy:
1. Body Weight
Every zipline ride has weight restrictions for the rider’s safety. By the third trimester, you may have gained weight, surpassing the recommended weight. According to Travel Awaits, riders should weigh between 60-275 pounds. If you’ve exceeded that, it may not be safe to zipline since the safety gear may not fit you. Being off-limit may cause accidents due to the cable breaking.
2. Pressure from the harness on your abdomen
Before starting the zip ride, the company workers will assist you in securely fitting your harness and lanyard. For maximum safety, the gear should be body-tight. That fitting around your abdomen could put excess pressure on your belly and unborn baby.
3. Contractions
Braxton hicks contractions are common during the third trimester. They are short, random and mild but uncomfortable. If the unpredictable contractions come while you’re in the middle of your zip ride, it may be uncomfortable since you’ll have your harness on.
4. Sensitive/painful back
At this stage, your back already has much weight to support. Hanging on a zipline cable could leave you with a painful back.
5. Shortness of breath
Ziplining can be thrilling and exhilarating. The experience may make you catch your breath. Shortness of breath is a common complication in the third trimester due to the growing baby. According to NIH, 60-70% of healthy pregnant women experience short breaths. Ziplining could make you have trouble breathing, especially if you’re scared of heights.
Wrapping Up
Now, let’s summarize the question, “can you go ziplining while pregnant?”
Ziplining is not for pregnant women. It involves sudden jerks, stops and takeoffs that could cause trauma to your unborn baby. The protective harness/lanyard could hurt your abdomen, breasts and back. Pressure from harnesses on your tummy could worsen fatigue, nausea and contractions.
That aside, injuries, falls, and medical emergencies could happen during your ziplining trip. If you’re still thinking, “is ziplining safe while pregnant?” Whether you’re in the first, second or third trimester, I’d advise you to postpone your cruise plan to a later date after delivering your baby. Be safe. It’s worth the wait.
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