Is it safe to ski whilst pregnant

[Bec]

I am currently 5 1/2 weeks pregnant and my husband and I plan to go skiing next weekend. I will be 7 weeks pregnant.
I miscarriaged earlier this year when I was 7 weeks and I am a little worried if I should be skiing. The main thing I am concerned with is if I fall over. Can it cause me to miscarry again.?? Does anyone have any advice?
Thanks

[Briannabear]

Congrats on your pregnancy Bec! :D
Id probably be a bit cautious about skiiing at the moment. Better to be safe than sorry...... :(
At least for the first 12 weeks or so anyway. (after that you may not feel like doing it anyway!).
I was probably a bit over-cautious when I was pregnant, but I had a wonderful prenancy and an extreemly healthy baby! (it was a matter of what was more important). :)
At the end of the day its your decision, but if you do decide to go skiiing, be careful!

[alicesmum]

hi Bec
I personnally wouldn't. I was told not to do anything where a hard fall is a significant risk including horseriding, skiing, water-skiing, bungy-jumping!!! (Yeh, I can really see myself EVER doing that one!)

As my doctor says of things that are low risk - they are unlikely to happen but if they did you'd never forgive yourself.

anyway, just my thoughts!!!! :p

[Bec]

Hi Guys,
Thanks for your quick response. I rang my Dr's office and they said it is my decision but suggest it could be a risk. I spoke to my husband and he was really quick to say that we wouldn't go.
I really appreciate your comments. I am a bit emotional at the moment and as we haven't told anyone I am pregnant it's nice to be able to mention it to someone.

[Briannabear]

Its a really exciting time fo rboth you and your husband! Cherish the special bond between you and your hubby - its made extra special because you are the only two who know about this wonderful news! Enjoy every minute of your pregnancy, it will go so quickly! (even if it doesnt feel like it is!)
Thats the great thing about this forum... you can share your feelings with everyone! :)

[madvoice]

I personally think it is up to the individual though you should be a little more careful with what you're doing. I didn't change my physical activity while I was pregnant, I just took it a little easier.

To frighten the living daylights out of some mothers here, I have horses and I rode up until I was 9 months pregnant. I stopped riding at 36 1/2 weeks due to not being able to get UP there any more. I wasn't competing in anything strenuous but I did go for trail rides and rode my mare at Pony Club for 4 weeks much to others suprise. My DD is happy and healthy and I didn't have any birth complications (other than her not descending and me having severe hypertension for which I opted for the c-section).

Just remember. Don't do what you wouldn't normally do. If I didn't normally ride horses I wouldn't be taking up horseriding while pregnant. Just a point of view from the other side :)

[nkenward]

I agree with Madvoice. My midwife said to me physical activity is fine if you were already doing it before you got pregnant. For me it was Netball - I played up till 8-9 weeks and then I was too tired to get to the 9.15pm games, and it was making me feel a bit ill.

As for skiing - its a bit difficult - considering you can only ski for a certain amount of time each year. If you feel you may fall then its probably not a great idea. I think if an accident happened, and after your first miscarriage you may not be able to forgive yourself.

Anyway good luck with your decision, maybe you could just go to the snow and make a snowman instead!!!!

[Chickadee]

Like everyone has said, it basically comes down to what your body is used to and how comfortable you feel. Moderation is the key. I kept up yoga with some modifications to a few routines until week 31, and tried surfing for the first time at 4 months :)

The biggest risks are obviously falls, but also anything that really uses your stomach muscles alot especially if they're not used to it. I had thought cross-country (nordic) skiing would be an ok alternative to downhill but then had it pointed out to me that cross country uses your core stomach and back muscles alot with a strong twisting motion - not good. Situps and stomach crunches are also out for awhile I'm afraid!

[maybe1more]

Its definally up to you! i played netball till i was 6 months pregnant, much to the discuss of my friends!! I only stopped cause i was finding hard to run, and no-one would defend me cause they were too scare of bumping me, but i can understand that. All the best in your desision. :)