high elevation...ok or no? cancel my vaca?

myszko · February 2010

I don't know why I didn't think of it till now, when my midwife's office is closed till Monday. I'm supposed to leave Sunday night for Breckenridge,Colorado...elevation 9,600ft. I haven't even had a prenatal appointment yet, but there's no reason that I should be high risk. Everything I've been reading says if you're high risk, don't go above 8,000ft and if you're pregnant in general, don't go above 12,000. I'm supposed to stay for a week at almost 10,000. Has anyone talked to their dr about this or done it? I'm nervous...and almost feeling like I shouldn't go. Or am I being stupid and it's really not a big deal? What do you all think? Thank you!!

FishNchips1 · February 2010

I think you will be fine. go on your trip.

pixy_stix · February 2010

This early you should have no issues. We had this discussion on my local CO board recently. There are tons of stories of women coming from sea level and being perfectly fine.

One word of caution, drink lots and lots of water, but I say that to everyone who visits.

KKWISC · February 2010

Is there a nurse direct line you could call? I would think you would be fine. Remember that at higher elevation you get more dehydrated, so drink lots of water and remember chap stick. Sounds stupid, but really it gets bad.

mrsrose16 · February 2010

It should be fine...our cabin is not that high, the only thing that happens to me is I get gassy . Drink lots of fluid like pp's said, and don't take too long showers (I'd avoid the bathtub, not because you're pg, but because of the altitude). I can't remember the exact reason at the moment, but I saw somewhere that that was one thing you should do to avoid altitude sickness (or problems due to the altitude).

Denverite · February 2010

You should be fine. Like pps said, make sure you stay really hydrated, but you'd have to do that whether you were pregnant or not. It's a good idea to start drinking extra water a few days early, if you can.

ColieJ · February 2010

pixy_stix:

This early you should have no issues. We had this discussion on my local CO board recently. There are tons of stories of women coming from sea level and being perfectly fine.

One word of caution, drink lots and lots of water, but I say that to everyone who visits.

This, but also be aware that you might get altitude sickness and they sell portable oxygen cans. When my BFF came here from Houston this summer we went to Vail and she had to suck on oxygen because she was having trouble breathing complicated by some mild chest pain and dizziness.

We are expecting a snowstorm so also check to make sure I70 will be clear.

Brownie0516 · February 2010

You will be fine!. I am leaving for Colorado this morning as well. Like all the pp said, drink lots of water.

Have fun!, Breck is beautiful

astroMom · February 2010

My family was going up there this year, and I decided not to go. What I read showed a lower altitude. Have you been there before? I definitely have gotten altitude sickness and can tell you get less air up there, so I for one wouldn't go skiing.

katrid11 · February 2010

High altitude should be fine but make sure you drink a lot of water. An alkaseltzer - like a TUMS will help prevent altitude sickness (headaches, nausea, tiredness)

Have a great time.

erbear · February 2010

I'm not usually all about the crazy, but I won't do this in the next pregnancy.

I went to see my sister in Denver (then to Estes Park) when I was 7 weeks pregnant with Kate. She was diagnosed with craniosynostosis around 2 months (her cornonal sutre in her skull fused prematurely) and she had surgery at 7 months. Rationally, I don't think the altitude had much to do with it, but both my pedi and the neurosurgeon (without my asking) said that the highest rates of cranio in the country are in Denver and the surrounding areas. So I don't know what to think...it could 100% be a coincidence, but it's not something I'm willing to chance with my next pregnancy until I'm out of the 1st trimester.

HRMJPC · February 2010

I live in CO and my doc told me that there's no good research on pregnancy and elevation (noone wants to be a subject of the study). He told me that it is best to stay below 8,000 to be safe. I did some research online myself and asked my local board about it. Basically, drink lots of water, rest a lot, avoid caffiene. You'll get all the oxygen you need, the baby will get what is left. Pregnant women are known to get altitude sickness easier. Since I live at 5,300, I am not worried about going into the mountains much. For people at sea-level, try to take it extra easy.

HRMJPC · February 2010

here's the conversation about it on the CO board, which made me feel better: (sorry no clicky, I'm a mac)

https://community.thenest.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/29833528.aspx

yodasmistress · February 2010

What do you think people who LIVE in Colorado do?

erbear · February 2010

yodasmistress:
What do you think people who LIVE in Colorado do?

No need to be bitchy. It's much easier to go from 5000 feet to 8000...not a big deal...than 0 to 8000. It's a legitamate question.

HRMJPC · February 2010

erbear:
yodasmistress:
What do you think people who LIVE in Colorado do?
No need to be bitchy. It's much easier to go from 5000 feet to 8000...not a big deal...than 0 to 8000. It's a legitamate question.

Its even a legit question for those of us in Colorado! But, its less of a worry b/c we're already acclimated to 5,300.

mdlw07 · February 2010

You'll be fine. Just drink lots and lots of water. Rest when you need to! I was just up in Vail this weekend and I'm 10 weeks and felt fine the whole time. I wouldn't cancel your trip. Have fun!

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