LARPing while pregnant?

Gamer_Mama · November 2008

Ok I understand this is a silly question. For starters if you don't know what larping is I appreciate interest but I want to keep the "I have no idea what that means" comments to a minimum. Suffice to say that LARPing is a type of contact sport.

I've asked my Doctor if its ok for me to do it but no matter how many video's I show her and how hard I try and explain it to her she has no clue and won't give me a yes or a no. I assume then that the "better safe than sorry" rule would then be used by default.

So I'm calling out to any other mothers out there who know what I'm talking about and can tell me if they skipped it all together while pregnant or perhaps did it till their 3rd trimester?

ibis · November 2008

I had to click because I so rarely see the word "larp" used anywhere!! I've never done it but it was pretty big back in college at our school. It seems to me that the physicality of LARPs can vary quite a bit. The kids at our school seemed to spend a lot more time on plotlines and not so much on combat. Maybe you can just be choosy about the ones you participate in.?

Amigosa · November 2008

I know what it is, but I'm not sure if there is protection over your belly. If there is, then I wouldn't think there would be a problem early on in your pregnancy. Although, I would not do it when you are later on because, like you said, its much better to be safe than sorry. If there is no protection over your belly than I would just stop until after you have the baby.

Gamer_Mama · November 2008

Well right now I'm only wearing leather type armor, my chain mail shirt weighs about 35 lbs easy so I figured I would stop wearing it. When I went to go ask my local boards (which is about 30 % women) non of them have ever been pregnant so they aren't too sure either. I have given though to just doing more of the "plot" type stuff but I love the physical part of the game.

PS. Yah yah I know this is a nerdy hobby. Stick out tongue

cortnic84 · November 2008

I have so very many comments I could make here, but I will defer. To each his own I guess, but it might be time to put down the mace or sword and protect the child within and I don't mean the one that likes to play with swords but the one that is actually growing in your belly. Any activity that could result in a blow to the belly is probably a bad idea among other reasons. Indifferent

Jason'swife · November 2008

cortnic84:
I have so very many comments I could make here, but I will defer. To each his own I guess, but it might be time to put down the mace or sword and protect the child within and I don't mean the one that likes to play with swords but the one that is actually growing in your belly. Any activity that could result in a blow to the belly is probably a bad idea among other reasons.

Yeah, this one seems pretty idiot proof to me. If it's a "contact sport" it's a no-no.

hannah&ben · November 2008

Ask yourself this: could I get hit in the stomach with force? If the answer is yes (even if the chance is small) then you probably shouldn't do it.

Gamer_Mama · November 2008

I agree that it should be a "idiot proof" question but after looking around on the internet and talking to my Doctor there are apparently some contact and non contact sports that are ok to do, things like basketball, volleyball, soccer, and soft ball. Because while those sports are always full contact they can at times be considered "dangerous" hit with balls, falling, jumping, tripping, people bumping into you ect.

cortnic84 · November 2008

Gamer- Pimply teenagers and college kids are going to be swinging fake swords at you. Do you really think this is a good idea?

Jason'swife · November 2008

I understand what you're saying, but basketball and soccer don't involve fighting with swords, etc. Know what I mean? I would say it's definitely not worth it. Ask yourself how you would feel if something bad happened? You'd have to live with the fact that it was 100% preventable.

khagan9368 · November 2008

Question: do you think that it is safe to play Rugby while pregnant? I mean I'll stop in my 3rd tri of course...

JillBean78 · November 2008

Is this sport more important than your baby's life??? If the answer is NO I'd say don't do it. I'm pretty sure contact sports are a no-no.

mommy411 · November 2008

Maybe you should stick to your video games..

Jason'swife · November 2008

khagan9368:
Question: do you think that it is safe to play Rugby while pregnant? I mean I'll stop in my 3rd tri of course...

I'm really not all that familiar w/ rugby, but I believe it falls under the "contact sport" category, therefore my answer is the same.

khagan9368 · November 2008

Ok, I thought the sarcasm there was obvious, Rugby is quite possibly the most dangerous sport there is. I was pointing out in my haibitually sarcastic manner that I thought this ? was pretty idiotic...

Jason'swife · November 2008

khagan9368:

Ok, I thought the sarcasm there was obvious, Rugby is quite possibly the most dangerous sport there is. I was pointing out in my haibitually sarcastic manner that I thought this ? was pretty idiotic...

LOL. Sorry! Apparently my sarcasam sensor needs to be re-calibrated. But hey... given the original post can you blame me?

Chrysallys · November 2008

Jason'swife:

cortnic84:
I have so very many comments I could make here, but I will defer. To each his own I guess, but it might be time to put down the mace or sword and protect the child within and I don't mean the one that likes to play with swords but the one that is actually growing in your belly. Any activity that could result in a blow to the belly is probably a bad idea among other reasons.

Yeah, this one seems pretty idiot proof to me. If it's a "contact sport" it's a no-no.

One would think, huh?

Though, would you actually call it a sport? LMAO. I guess it is compared to the computer chair RP sort.

Personally I wouldn't want a sword swinging around in my direction no matter how "fake" it is.

Purrrfect433 · November 2008

No words for how hilarious this post is. I will defer to cortnic84 and just say DITTO. cough:::nerd::cough

jnealet · November 2008

Can you play a more passive role in the game? So you can still be involoved but not put your baby in harms way?

Good luck!

2007wife · November 2008

Gamer_Mama:
Suffice to say that LARPing is a type of contact sport.

I think you have answered your own question...Whithot knowing anythng about LARPing if you describe it a a contact sport then it is best to avoid contact sports while pregnant. I am all for exercising while pregnant and even running but contact sports are out. Just not safe. I wouldn't play soccer while pregnant.

Gamer_Mama · November 2008

Ok so we all know/agree that it is considered a full contact "sport" I'll just stick with the non combatant roles for a while I. Kinda surprised how many people know about it. Smile

nerdsbride · November 2008

Gamer_Mama:
Ok so we all know/agree that it is considered a full contact "sport" I'll just stick with the non combatant roles for a while I. Kinda surprised how many people know about it.

So sad. So very sad.

Mrs.Carlybella · November 2008

i have to agree with pp's... if you think there is a chance you could get hit... avoid it

and i know about it because of Beauty and the Geek and the move Role Models (McLovin from Hawaii was a larper in that). there has been some recent exposure

scherza · November 2008

I'd be less worried about getting whacked with a padded weapon and more worried about falling. Your joints get looser in pregnancy, and your center of gravity and sense of balance are off. Even overlooking a possible injury to your unborn child, you're simply at a higher risk for sport-related injury yourself while pregnant.

I quit Highland dance when I was about 14 weeks pregnant with my first because I nearly fell on a step I'd done hundreds of times before without incident. My balance was too shaky.

weddedwife · November 2008

I agree w/ the 'better safe than sorry' theory. I am an avid snowboarder; I am ADDICTED to snowboarding and it is going to KILL me to not go this season... but I just don't think it's a good idea. I find conflicting opinions on whether or not it's safe. I am confident in my own ability but I can't control other skiers/snowboarders, so I have decided I'm just going to play it safe.

*Sigh*. No carving the freshies for me this year!

Waterthrush · November 2008

I don't larp, but we have a huge group that larps at the local gaming store. They just do rock, paper, scissors with no contact at all. I've seen videos of the actual roleplay fighting, but no one I know does that (except at SCA events, but that's different). Yeah, I'd stick to rock, paper, scissors like White Wolf.

Gamer_Mama · November 2008

Aww i'm sorry to hear that. But think of it like this, next year you'll just need to buy all the best stuff to replace any pre pregnancy gear and you can't help it if it HAPPENS to be high end right? Wink

Geekchick921 · November 2008

I've never LARPed, that's just too much for me. I'll just stick to RPing in MMOs. LARPing to me always seems like stage combat with most people lacking the proper skill and safety knowledge. I would go with the "better safe than sorry" approach. It's probably a bad idea while you're pregnant at all, and definitely once you get out of the first trimester when your uterus starts growing past your pelvis.

Edit: Since this probably wasn't clear, if I was still taking stage combat, I would have avoided it for this pregnancy, even though you learn how to not actually hit your partner/fake being hit. Way too risky.

Mrs.Carlybella · November 2008

geekchick-

not trying to knock it- seriously curious here...

what is up with your sig pic/video??? is it supposed to be jolly and in the holiday spirit? (cause it's a little freaky)

Big Smile

mommy411 · November 2008

I can do it! SEE

Eclypze · November 2008

DH and I are part of the SCA rather then LARP, but, my suggestion is to just be careful

No heavy contact fighting or something that'd be blunt trauma to the tummy, but otherwise, i'd say have fun

Nelliep32507 · November 2008

Purrrfect433:
No words for how hilarious this post is. I will defer to cortnic84 and just say DITTO. cough:::nerd::cough

Ditto.. LMAO.-- although on a serious note I did learn a little about "LARPing" today... it's on my list of things NOT to do while pregnant... along with Rugby, soccer, UFC fighting etc..

MegHibbetts · January 2014

Even though this is an old one, I happened to find it when I googled larping and pregnancy. So, just in case there are any moms to be who tried the same search, there's one bit of realistic advice: check with your chapter for non-combat or orange headband rules. The larp that I participate in has been GREAT about modifying the rules for me so that I can participate in "combat" without any physical contact whatsoever. Check with your chapter owner or head of plot to see what they can do for you. On the flip side, after my husband and I announced that we were expecting, our chapter owner made it clear (politely!) that he wasn't comfortable with me participating in combat even though I hadn't even started to show yet. It's an insurance liability for them, and most owners aren't willing to risk it... Or chance your well being! Happy larping!

kboydbowman · January 2014

Holy resurrection of a long-dead thread, Batman!

Giraffealaff · January 2014

jnealet said:

Can you play a more passive role in the game? So you can still be involoved but not put your baby in harms way?

Good luck!

Pretty much this. If possible, I would find a way to take a more passive role just to make sure that you are more safe than sorry. What kind of character are you? Do you RP as a Female or as a Male? And if you RP as a female is there some way your pregnancy could safely be worked into the storyline/roleplay?

PrimRoseMama · January 2014

For those who are curious or don't know WTF LARPing is:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_action_role-playing_game

I would refrain personally. An errant blow to the abdomen is possible.

HBirdie · January 2014

alyssa719 · January 2014

I'm totally confused here - I tried to LARP in high school and sucked at it, but there was *never* anything that would make it labeled "contact sport" or a "sport" in general, so I guess maybe it was a different game?!

That being said, is there a local one you can play while pregnant that *wouldn't* involve the contact portion?