At the beginning of your pregnancy, you may not even feel pregnant. With the absence of a belly, you might think activities you usually enjoy -- such as snowboarding -- should be safe as long as you're careful. Unfortunately, there's no safe time to snowboard during pregnancy. Doing so can put your life and the life of your baby at risk.
Risks for Mom
Snowbarding poses a serious fall risk and should be avoided during all stages of pregnancy, according to gynecologist Dr. Joanna Stone for BabyCenter. Snowboards require both feet on the board, and if you have a pregnancy belly your center of gravity can change rapidly. Conditions on the slopes can also change rapidly and there may be ice, logs, boulders and uneven ground lurking beneath what looks like snow. Because pregnancy hormones loosen your joints and make you more susceptible to muscle and joint injuries, a sharp jolt or quick movement could cause serious injury.
Risks For Baby
If you fall while snowboarding, you could ultimately lose your baby. While your baby is protected by fluid in your womb, a harsh jolt or fall can rupture that fluid sac or cause the placenta -- your baby's lifeline -- to rupture. Even a fall that doesn't seem dramatic can cause serious injuries to your baby. Any fall, collision or other abdominal trauma has the potential to cause a miscarriage.
Altitude and Pregnancy
If you're not used to exercising at high altitudes, the change in air quality could cause a lack of oxygen in your blood, according to Stone at BabyCenter. High-altitude exercises don't negatively impact all women, especially women who live in high altitudes, but since the risk exists it's best to be careful. High-altitude exercises above 7,500 feet also have been associated with pregnancy complications, such as slowed growth and development, according to OB-GYN Dr. Mary Lake Polan of BabyCenter.
Safer Winter Sports
While no type of snowboarding or skiing is completely safe, Stone says the safest winter sport is cross country skiing. When performed with caution and at a moderate pace, cross country skiing can effectively work your heart and lungs while also building muscle. It also poses less of a fall risk than snowboarding. A brisk walk in the snow while properly dressed also provides an effective workout.
References
- BabyCenter; What Activities Should I Avoid During Pregnancy?; Joanna Stone
- American Pregnancy Association: Recreation and Pregnancy
- BabyCenter: Pregnancy Exercise for Beginners
- American Pregnancy Association: Top Recommended Exercises
- American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Exercise During Pregnancy
- BabyCenter; Is it Safe to Vacation at High Altitude During Pregnancy?; Mary Lake Polan, OB-GYN
