Can/Should you ski if you're pregnant??

I Heart Internet · 14-02-2012 1:57pm #1

What's the consensus? Is this advisable? And if so is there a limit on it (no. of weeks pregnant, etc)?

Thanks

bovril · 14-02-2012 2:34pm

I would say seek the advise of your doctor. Nobody on the internet would be qualified enough to give you the advise you require.

olaola · 14-02-2012 3:27pm

From all accounts. No. Some luantic could hit into you or sommat - even if you're a competent skiier.

EileenG · 14-02-2012 5:46pm

The general concensus for all exercise during a a normal pregnancy is that if you are good at the activity, you can continue, but moderate your efforts to your comfort level.

I did ski when I was pregnant. Twice in fact, but the second time I was only a few weeks pregnant, and the biggest problem was frequent loo stops and a limited selection of things I could eat. I ended asking the hostel kitchen to boil eggs for me twice a day.

The other time, I was 15 weeks pregnant, and felt well, and had no trouble sking. I stayed on runs that were easier than I would normally do, and didn't have any problems. Well, only that I was expanding rapidly, and by the end of the week, I couldn't zip up my ski suit and had to ski with it open!

I did have a couple of falls, but no more than I had at home, and no problems for the bump.

Fattes · 14-02-2012 10:30pm

Sister in law skied while 3 months pregnant but stayed on blues and greens and cruised baby is fine and 6 years old now

Paddy Bateman · 14-02-2012 10:34pm

No it would be very very selfish

EileenG · 15-02-2012 12:14am

Paddy Bateman wrote: »

No it would be very very selfish

Pregnant women are advised to stay active, for the safe of their babies as well as their own health. What activities do you consider safe? I fell over more often walking in Dublin than I did skiing. And fell harder too.

Paddy Bateman · 15-02-2012 12:30am

EileenG wrote: »

Paddy Bateman wrote: »

No it would be very very selfish

Pregnant women are advised to stay active, for the safe of their babies as well as their own health. What activities do you consider safe? I fell over more often walking in Dublin than I did skiing. And fell harder too.

I would consider walking safe. Don't you?

EileenG · 15-02-2012 12:43am

Paddy Bateman wrote: »

I would consider walking safe. Don't you?

I fell over more often walking than I did skiing. And falling over on the streets of Dublin is not what I would consider safe. Would you?

Paddy Bateman · 15-02-2012 12:47am

EileenG wrote: »

Paddy Bateman wrote: »

I would consider walking safe. Don't you?

I fell over more often walking than I did skiing. And falling over on the streets of Dublin is not what I would consider safe. Would you?

You asked what activity I considered safe and I said walking. I still do.....do you consider walking safe? You didn't answer....I answered your question. Please answer mine before asking another.

EileenG · 15-02-2012 1:01am

I consider walking with an altered center of gravity to be less safe than skiing or cycling. Do you seriously mean that you would confine all pregnant women to walking? Where is the medical research to show that walking is sufficent exercise for a pregnant woman?

Paddy Bateman · 15-02-2012 1:11am

EileenG wrote: »

I consider walking with an altered center of gravity to be less safe than skiing or cycling. Do you seriously mean that you would confine all pregnant women to walking? Where is the medical research to show that walking is sufficent exercise for a pregnant woman?

It's a simple question..., all it needs is yes or no. Do you consider walking safe?

Stark · 15-02-2012 1:17am

Paddy Bateman wrote: »

It's a simple question..., all it needs is yes or no. Do you consider walking safe?

What is your problem? She answered your question quite clearly.

Paddy Bateman · 15-02-2012 1:20am

Stark wrote: »

Paddy Bateman wrote: »

It's a simple question..., all it needs is yes or no. Do you consider walking safe?

What is your problem? She answered your question quite clearly.

What was the answer? Yes or no ?

EileenG · 15-02-2012 1:45am

There is no definitive answer. Walking on ice? No. Walking while drunk? Walking with a huge bump? No.

When I was pregnant, I didn't fall off my bicycle once, I fell over three times while walking, and sprained my groin badly.

And you didn't answer my question. What activity do you consider safe for an active pregnant woman?

Paddy Bateman · 15-02-2012 6:58am

Stark wrote: »

Paddy Bateman wrote: »

It's a simple question..., all it needs is yes or no. Do you consider walking safe?

What is your problem? She answered your question quite clearly.

So see above - there's no answer it appears Stark

Paddy Bateman · 15-02-2012 7:00am

EileenG wrote: »

There is no definitive answer. Walking on ice? No. Walking while drunk? Walking with a huge bump? No.

When I was pregnant, I didn't fall off my bicycle once, I fell over three times while walking, and sprained my groin badly.

And you didn't answer my question. What activity do you consider safe for an active pregnant woman?

I did answer. I consider walking safe as I stated.

Paddy Bateman · 15-02-2012 7:14am

EileenG wrote: »

There is no definitive answer. Walking on ice? No. Walking while drunk? Walking with a huge bump? No.

When I was pregnant, I didn't fall off my bicycle once, I fell over three times while walking, and sprained my groin badly.

And you didn't answer my question. What activity do you consider safe for an active pregnant woman?

You may find this link useful

http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/toprecommendedexercises.html

Skiing is not a recommend exercise while pregnant

Xcellor · 15-02-2012 7:25am

Everything is a calculated risk. But I'm relatively confident that skiing each year results in more serious injuries + hospitalization + death than walking.

You can take your time walking. You probably won't fall. If you do you will probably get your hands out in front of you and be capable of shielding your belly from the impact. You have more time to react... If you happen to get injured your are most likely reachable via ambulance.

You can take your time skiing. You probably won't fall. But you can't control the muppet who flies into you. Also when you fall you dont just stop, you usually roll. Skis fly in the air. Trees get in the way... etc etc. If you are injured you might wait quite a long time. In the cold. Preggers. Doesn't sound fun.

X

Joe10000 · 15-02-2012 7:40am

I think skiing while pregnant would be taking a big risk, especially as its an activity purely for your own enjoyment.

However if you are an accomplished skier then it is a calculated risk and only you and your partner can know the answer.

If you do decide to go skiing I wouldn't tell anyone.

robinph · 15-02-2012 10:17am

I'd have thought that doing something new is more dangerous when pregnant.

If you've never skied before then it would definitely be a no-no. If it's something that your doing regularly then it's not really hugely different than trying to negotiate a flight of stairs in terms of risk. You could fall doing either, you could get knocked over by a stray child going too fast past you doing either. Doing the skiing though you are more likely to have a soft landing and swift removal to hospital available than if you are lying at the bottom of the stairs with a twisted leg or something.

Stick to the easy runs and no off-piste or tree runs. Stop for a hot chocolate when ever you feel like it. Enjoy the view and fresh air.

Of course once fitting into you ski gear becomes too much of a struggle then it might be time to just chill out in the town instead.

Denalihighway · 15-02-2012 1:20pm

In fairness to Paddy Bateman, I think what he's getting at is - why take unnecessary risks when carrying a child???

when you are walking, generally speaking you don't have same risks IE

- falling at an increased velocity
- possibly colliding with an object/person at an increased velocity
- or even worse, some lunatic careering into you.

generally speaking - you don't have to worry about these things while "negotiating a set of stairs"

I don't see why you would risk it. Doing something like skiing is very different to going to concerts/festivals etc or other things that a lot pregnant women may be scared off doing , but yet are comparatively much safer.

And also - take into account this is a sensitive subject - so be prepared for robust responses.

If you were my wife I would politely suggest we can wait another year to skiing (then if you disagreed I'd probably demand it)

robinph · 15-02-2012 1:27pm

fyp

Denalihighway wrote: »

If you were my wife I would politely suggest YOU can wait another year to skiing (then if you disagreed I'd probably demand it)

...and off I'd go on my own.

Tipsygypsy · 15-02-2012 3:14pm

I have skied pregnant, I think I was about four months along. I would consider myself a pretty good skier and I took it pretty easy, stuck to mostly blues, didnt go on overly populated runs. Never had any problems. Usually just did half day though and plenty of toilet/hot chocolate breaks. I think I would happily ski up to about six months but probably not after that, wouldnt have enough energy in 3rd trimester. My only concern would have been avoiding any lunatics that might be out of control, so you would want to stay alert for crazies.

olaola · 15-02-2012 4:31pm

robinph wrote: »

I'd have thought that doing something new is more dangerous when pregnant.

In the context of your pregnancy, it is new. Unless you were skiing all season, and then fell pregnant in the middle of it! Most people just do a week a year - and it's quite a physical demand on your body. Not one that's easily recreated by alternate exercises.

EileenG · 15-02-2012 4:42pm

I did ski when I was pregnant, twice, and suffered far less ill-effects that walking in the streets of Dublin. Anyone who says there are no lunatics to career into you when you are walking hasn't tried that.

All the baby books have big sections telling you not to worry about falling over, the baby is very well protected. At 3-4 months, the baby is tiny, pretty much a clump of cells in a water balloon. It would take a lot more than a tumble in snow to do any damage. By far the biggest risk is unsuitable meds or booze.

The female body is pretty good at telling you what works and what doesn't. A pregnant woman who is over-doing it will get exhaustion which wipes her out.

If you are a competant skier, and are prepared to take it easy, I can't see the problem.

Oh yeah, and I skied when I was breastfeeding, and my milk was fine, thank you.

EileenG · 15-02-2012 6:33pm

Denalihighway wrote: »

If you were my wife I would politely suggest we can wait another year to skiing (then if you disagreed I'd probably demand it)

And if I were your wife and you tried that, you'd soon be lacking the equipment required to get anyone pregnant.

In spite of what the calendar said, each of my pregnancies lasted at least three years. I couldn't eat, couldn't drink, couldn't take a pain pill, had to pee six times every hour, including all through the night, so couldn't sleep either. Only the thought of going skiing kept me sane.

Incidently, it was always after I went skiing that I was able to eat again without puking.

EileenG · 15-02-2012 6:34pm

robinph wrote: »

fyp

...and off I'd go on my own.

No more use for your dangly bits, then?

Denalihighway · 16-02-2012 5:41pm

EileenG, there isn't a doubt in my mind that your views on this thread are more than coloured by the fact that you've already done it.

How could you possibly have an impartial view on the matter in the circumstances?

If doctors (who are the hell are they anyway right?) say going skiing while pregnant is not recommended there may not be any need for further debate on the subject.

Therefore recommending going skiing to a pregnant woman on here is somewhat irresponsible surely? I'm not a doctor, nor have I been pregnant, nor am I a woman, so I can't say what 'feels' good or what 'might' be OK.

For the sake of his tackle, I hope you're other half doesn't something worse than suggesting you try not to take other unnessary risks with his unborn children!

Paddy Bateman · 16-02-2012 5:46pm

Denalihighway wrote: »

EileenG, there isn't a doubt in my mind that your views on this thread are more than coloured by the fact that you've already done it.

How could you possibly have an impartial view on the matter in the circumstances?

If doctors (who are the hell are they anyway right?) say going skiing while pregnant is not recommended there may not be any need for further debate on the subject.

Therefore recommending going skiing to a pregnant woman on here is somewhat irresponsible surely? I'm not a doctor, nor have I been pregnant, nor am I a woman, so I can't say what 'feels' good or what 'might' be OK.

For the sake of his tackle, I hope you're other half doesn't something worse than suggesting you try not to take other unnessary risks with his unborn children!

As stated I feel it's very very selfish to do so

robinph · 16-02-2012 5:49pm

It's not a case of "recommending skiing whilst pregnant", but more "is there a reason to cancel my trip now I'm pregnant". Two different questions.

If you are already planning on going skiing, then discover you are pregnant then that is a different situation to planning a skiing trip after the discovery. It's also likely to be a whole different stage in the pregnancy that the skiing would be happening.

Tipsygypsy · 16-02-2012 7:13pm

Denalihighway wrote: »

If doctors (who are the hell are they anyway right?) say going skiing while pregnant is not recommended there may not be any need for further debate on the subject.

SOME doctors may say you shouldnt ski but both my Ob/gyn and my GP said I was ok to ski while pregnant.

EileenG · 16-02-2012 7:17pm

Doctors have certain areas of expertise. Skiing isn't one of them. Ask a doctor who actually skis about skiing while pregnant. Most doctors have no idea of what is involved in skiing, beyond a vague notion that it involves a lot of torn knee ligaments.

I know several doctors who ski while pregnant. Are they being selfish, or do they know more about the risks than you do?

EileenG · 16-02-2012 7:22pm

Just because I've done something doesn't mean I think it's a good idea. I've done plenty of stupid things that I would use as a good lesson in things to avoid. But having skied when pregnant, I feel I'm in a good position to judge the risk. If my daughter said she was she was pregnant and was going skiing, I wouldn't have an issue with that.

Joe10000 · 16-02-2012 7:52pm

Whether it's skiing or walking down Grafton street there is a risk attached, pregnant or not.

Risk is managing your exposure to injury or loss, if the risk you are taking is acceptable to you and your partner versus the potential loss then off you go. As regular and experienced skiers then you are probably very aware of the risks so you are in the best place to make the decision.

Denalihighway · 16-02-2012 9:30pm

We'll agree to disagree I guess. i go back what i said - why bother taking unnecessary risks so you can get your ski fix? I don't get it really. but its each to their own about what calculated risks they might take. after a quick scan of the net i'd say at least 75% of the articles advise caution even if its in the very early stages of pregnancy (6-8 wks).

that would be enough for me personally. and needless to say, there is a point in the pregnancy where it clearly becomes an absolute no no. it varies on what you read.

EileenG · 16-02-2012 11:28pm

Denalihighway wrote: »

- why bother taking unnecessary risks so you can get your ski fix?

Because it's not you who is pregnant? For me, being pregnant was nine months of misery. If I'd had to miss skiing as well, I'd probably have hanged myself.

I would rather give birth twice a day, every day, than be pregnant.

Paddy Bateman · 16-02-2012 11:43pm

EileenG wrote: »

Doctors have certain areas of expertise. Skiing isn't one of them. Ask a doctor who actually skis about skiing while pregnant. Most doctors have no idea of what is involved in skiing, beyond a vague notion that it involves a lot of torn knee ligaments.

I know several doctors who ski while pregnant. Are they being selfish, or do they know more about the risks than you do?

I would consider them selfish. Putting their adrenalin rush/adfiction ahead of safety concerns for their unborn child. Threatening suicide if one doesnt get their ski fix shows a particular state of mind that might not be best suited to make such decisions

robinph · 16-02-2012 11:52pm

There is various risks to all of us everyday the moment you get out of bed. An experienced skier pootling down a gentle slope before stopping at the next mountain hostelry to have a sit down and hot chocolate is probably much safer and relaxing for all concerned than getting on the bus to the city centre to get to work.

We are not talking about pregnant women doing cliff jumps, mogul runs, off piste or any black runs so there is not much in terms of adrenaline rush to be worried about. It's a relaxing holiday doing something, or nothing, as much as they feel able for. Unless the GP says something about not flying or some issue with altitude it's really not that big a deal and there is nothing more dangerous in skiing than any other activity that they might do after leaving their front door at home.

EileenG · 17-02-2012 3:04am

Paddy Bateman wrote: »

I would consider them selfish. Putting their adrenalin rush/adfiction ahead of safety concerns for their unborn child. Threatening suicide if one doesnt get their ski fix shows a particular state of mind that might not be best suited to make such decisions

Fortunately, it's not your decision to make.

Xcellor · 17-02-2012 3:13am

EileenG wrote: »

Fortunately, it's not your decision to make.

Yeah its the decision of a responsible parent to be...

Paddy Bateman · 17-02-2012 7:29am

Xcellor wrote: »

EileenG wrote: »

Fortunately, it's not your decision to make.

Yeah its the decision of a responsible parent to be...

Would be parent....all may not come to pass if the path of putting an unborn child in unnecessary danger is taken.

robinph · 17-02-2012 8:53am

Where is this unnecessary danger?

Yes, people can get injured or worse whilst skiing. But you can also get run over by a bus. What other activities would you think are also unsuitable for pregnant women? Would doing some hillwalking in Ireland be out as well, just as much risk of injury doing that. Only difference being you don't have to get on a plane first to get there.

Denalihighway · 17-02-2012 11:26am

I accept that this is a choice for a parent to make. Good skiers will have less risk than bad ones. My views are clear on what choice I think I'd make.

but this "there is no unnecessary risk" argument and its comparison to stuff like walking down the street or walking down a flight of stairs etc etc is weak at best.

If there were no unnecessary risks all doctors would recommend skiing throughout pregnancies and you'd see heavily pregnant women happily flying around the slopes.

I know we're not talking about heavily pregnant women here. But my point is that heavily pregnant women are quite happy to walk the streets - but you wouldn't catch them skiing. One can only assume its because there are unnecessary risks involved.

robinph · 17-02-2012 11:31am

Denalihighway wrote: »

If there were no unnecessary risks all doctors would recommend skiing throughout pregnancies and you'd see heavily pregnant women happily flying around the slopes.

The question is not "is skiing when pregnant good for me?", it is "is skiing when pregnant excessively dangerous?"

Nobody is recommending that pregnant women go skiing, it's just if being pregnant is sufficient reason to NOT go skiing and cancel a trip.

flikflak · 17-02-2012 11:46am

Paddy Bateman wrote: »

I would consider them selfish. Putting their adrenalin rush/adfiction ahead of safety concerns for their unborn child. Threatening suicide if one doesnt get their ski fix shows a particular state of mind that might not be best suited to make such decisions

Going up in a cable car then gently coming down an easy quiet blue is hardly an adrenelin rush for the experienced skier. A couple of these easy runs and some hot chocolate stops, a long lunch then a bit of a sun bathe in a deckchair in the fresh mountain air before heading back down in the cable car is about as risky as anything you would do in everyday life.

Sure I have tripped on uneven pavement many times in the last couple of weeks just walking round town coupled with cyclists on pavements and cars parked on pavements meaning I have to walk in the busy road breathing in fumes and risking getting knocked over.

I know where I would rather be. Life is full of everyday risk if we always thought the worst was to happen we would not go anywhere.

As mentioned above a few times for some people stepping into their skis is as natural as walking but for people learning then of course its maybe not such a good idea as with taking up any new sport.

Denalihighway · 17-02-2012 11:50am

robinph wrote: »

The question is not "is skiing when pregnant good for me?", it is "is skiing when pregnant excessively dangerous?"

Nobody is recommending that pregnant women go skiing, it's just if being pregnant is sufficient reason to NOT go skiing and cancel a trip.

nope.

the poster actually asked, and I quote, "Is this advisable?".

whether its advisable has been roundly discussed clearly - my point on my last post was that I think the comparison being made between skiing and walking down the street as regards calculated/unnecessary risks is misguided.

Weylin · 17-02-2012 12:02pm

EileenG wrote: »

Because it's not you who is pregnant? For me, being pregnant was nine months of misery. If I'd had to miss skiing as well, I'd probably have hanged myself.

I would rather give birth twice a day, every day, than be pregnant.[/QUOTE]
you need professional help.go see a psychiatrist today.

17-02-2012 12:06pm

EileenG wrote: »

...........

And you didn't answer my question. What activity do you consider safe for an active pregnant woman?

I wouldn't consider skiing, cycling or walking on ice safe for a pregnant lady given the chance for accident, walking on a decent pavement I would consider safe.

EileenG · 17-02-2012 3:43pm

Weylin wrote: »

EileenG wrote: »

Because it's not you who is pregnant? For me, being pregnant was nine months of misery. If I'd had to miss skiing as well, I'd probably have hanged myself.

I would rather give birth twice a day, every day, than be pregnant.[/QUOTE]
you need professional help.go see a psychiatrist today.

Why? I had miserable pregnancies, with constant sickness, peeing and exhaustion. Skiing was about the only time I felt semi-human.

On the other hand, perhaps because I was physically fit, I had short labours which did not involve intense pain.

EileenG · 17-02-2012 3:47pm

RoverJames wrote: »

I wouldn't consider skiing, cycling or walking on ice safe for a pregnant lady given the chance for accident, walking on a decent pavement I would consider safe.

So you'd pay my wages all through my pregnancy, since you are making it impossible for me to go to work? I had to cycle from Swords to Dublin all through all my pregnancies because I couldn't sit in a car or bus without getting sick.

I'm kind of astonished at how many people are willing to lay down the law for other people on this subject. And I suspect that many of those same people would not stand up on a bus to give their seat to a pregnant woman.

Can/Should you ski if you're pregnant??

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