Skiing while pregnant

Court7803 · February 2012

Hi Ladies -

I just found out I was pregnant, I'm approx 5 weeks along. I have had a skiing trip planned for months now, were leaving to go tonight. I wanted opionions on going down the hill.

I am not an avid skiier, in fact this would be my first time, so if I was to do it, it would be all begginners hills. I've read mixed thoughts, some say its okay and some say definally not. Most of the articles I've read as well have said the moms are way further along than me have gone. So, just looking for opinions. Unfortunally, I don't have an OB yet, as I just took the tests yesterday. 3 positives.

vicachka7 · February 2012

I'm planning to go skiing in a few days too and am also approx 5 weeks along. I've been skiing before, but only maybe half a dozen times so plan on sticking to the greens and blues. I think it's fine as long as you're careful. If it's your first time, I would recommend taking a lesson so that someone can teach you how to do it properly. My mom told me she went skiing when she was 2 months pregnant with me and I turned out OK (I think!).

abbzy85 · February 2012

I can't see why it would be an issue

Court7803 · February 2012

Thanks for the opinions!

I guess I will try and give it a shot, I'll have enough padding on that in case I do fall, I'll be pretty well protected.

Jenelle101 · February 2012

H and I wanted to go on a snowboarding trip in a couple of weeks and we opted not to. I remember my doctor telling me not to do it with my last pregnancy. But then again... I was much further along during the snow season. I would say don't do it...but obviously I'm in the minority here.

LilyGrad09 · February 2012

I would NOT. I'm an okay skiier because I grew up in B.C and went every season. My reasoning is that you can never control what people around you are doing and anybody can run into you and hit from behind. It doesn't happen often but it can happen. Plus my doc said no contact sports or sports where you can get injured.

Good luck to you if you decide to go.It is a fun sport.

katiereimer · February 2012

LilyGrad09:

I would NOT. I'm an okay skiier because I grew up in B.C and went every season. My reasoning is that you can never control what people around you are doing and anybody can run into you and hit from behind. It doesn't happen often but it can happen. Plus my doc said no contact sports or sports where you can get injured.

Good luck to you if you decide to go.It is a fun sport.

I would have to agree, as my doctor told me I cant snowmobile while sitting on a machine. I would say skiing you have more possibility of getting hurt and falling which is what my doctor didnt want to happen if I were to go snowmobiling.

sadie+w · February 2012

If I were in your situation, I would either not go, or call your OB and get the ok (even if you don't have one yet, find one to call and explain the situation to). I found out I was pregnant while I was on a ski trip in Vail. I still skied, but I am also an expert skier that normally skies mostly blacks, I and stayed on all greens after I found out.

The danger is in taking a bad fall. If you are a first time skier, you will most likely be doing a lot of falling.

Also, are you going somewhere that has much higher elevation than what you are used to? That can also be dangerous, as you take in much less oxygen.

erbear · February 2012

My sister is an ob and skied for several weekends when she was in her first tri, then stopped when her balance was off. at 5 weeks, I'd do it. You're not likely to hurt your fetus as it's pretty well protected in there at this point.

melody921 · February 2012

I would not go because it doesn't sound good for you or baby to be falling down, which is bound to happen since you've never gone skiing before. My OB is all about gentle exercise: walking, yoga, swimming, elliptical. I can't imagine they'd be down with skiing.

BethPSU · February 2012

I found out I was pg with DS#1 after a weeklong ski trip to Steamboat. I was probably just about 5 weeks along at the time and was definitely not holding back (like doing jumps and skiing all blacks). That said, I have been skiing since I was 4 and would consider myself an expert skier. I continued to teach skiing on the weekends throughout my first trimester that pregnancy, but back east and skiing slowly with little kids barely counted as skiing. I didn't ski at all with DS#2 because I was farther along. This time I have gone a handful of times, but taken it easy and mostly been teaching my 3y/o on the bunny slopes.

With that said, my dr. said it was ok for me to do until it would affect my balance. I don't know if I would do it if I was in your shoes. Skiing is really hard to pick up as an adult and like others said you are bound to fall...a lot. You probably wouldn't do any harm because the baby is so well protected, but you would probably worry like crazy afterward. I would go along and stay in the lodge:)

candijo6 · February 2012

Congrats on being pregnant! I ski a lot and my doctor told me absolutely no skiing or any other sports you could fall. Especially if this is your first try at it, I would not go. Falling or any other trauma could cause a miscarraige. Ultimately, you are the only one that can make that decision, but trust me, it is not worth the risk.

Good luck with everything!

pkaren · February 2012

Congrats on being pregnant! I see you have alot of replies, but I wanted to share my two cents.

I was in exactly the same boat, I found out I was pregnant at 4 weeks and we had a big ski trip booked the following week. My Dr. advised that skiing was no problem, as you can't physically hurt the cells, because that's all you have right now, a blastocyst. He said it's all just chemical reactions at this stage, so physically, you can't hurt it. (Unless of course you ingest something to harm the chemical reactions going on.) He said just listen to my body and I'd be fine. I felt a little ill and tired, so I only skiied half days, which worked out because my friends are way better skiiers than me and I didn't want to hold them back.

I'm 10 weeks now and I'm glad I went on the trip and enjoyed my time on the mountain!

Have fun and try to enjoy yourself and not worry!

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