When you find out the fantastic news that you’re expecting a newborn, it can bring on a range of emotions.
You may feel like celebrating that you’re bringing a new life into the world and that your family is getting a little bit bigger.
But for some women, it can also be a realization that you’re going to have to give up some of the things that you love.
That morning cup of joe, dining on delicious cheeses, and the regular afternoon run with friends.
You might also be left wondering if it’s safe to ride your bodyboard while you’re pregnant.
The answer is yes, you can still bodyboard while you’re pregnant, but you will need to take some additional precautions to ensure that you and your baby are protected out on the ocean. You also might not be able to bodyboard for the entire nine months, but you’ll still be able to catch some waves before your baby arrives.
Is Bodyboarding While Pregnant Good Exercise?
While doctors generally advise pregnant women not to participate in high impact sports such as martial arts, diving, and skiing, they do recommend swimming as an activity to stay healthy.
Some doctors say that bodyboarding while pregnant is safe because the baby is well protected from the board, while others will show concern due to the fact you’re lying on your belly.
But several health benefits can come from bodybuilding that includes:
Improvement in muscular strength in your arms from the directional paddling.
Development of leg muscles from propelling the bodyboard in the water.
Increase in coordination skills due to concentrating on balancing while on the bodyboard.
Reduction in bloating that comes from swimming in saltwater.
Strengthening of the cardiovascular system as heart and lungs work more effectively to pump oxygen into the bloodstream and the body’s muscles.
While bodyboarding can be a great exercise that brings many health advantages, it’s always best to consult a medical practitioner first to ensure it’s the best activity for your personal situation.
Do You Need to Bodyboard Differently While Pregnant?
Depending on what trimester you’re in, you may need to make some adjustments to your bodyboarding method in order to keep your baby protected.
If you’re battling with nausea, tiredness, and headaches and you’re determined to head out to the surf, then you should opt for shorter sessions and softer waves.
You’ll also want to start getting used to leaving your belly off of the board as much as possible.
You can do this by using your forearms to relieve pressure on your stomach.
You should also start avoiding crowded beaches if you’re able to.
The last thing you want to be focussing on is how to avoid other surfers and bodyboarders, especially if they’re beginners.
But you should always be bodyboarding with a friend, just in case you need any assistance while you’re in the ocean.
For some women, these will be significant changes, but they are necessary if you want to continue bodyboarding while you’re pregnant.
Do You Need Any Special Equipment to Bodyboard While Pregnant?
You may need to purchase or borrow some additional equipment to ensure that you’re safe while out on the sea.
Many women recommend having a larger wetsuit available just in case you need it as your body adjusts to a baby growing inside you.
They also recommend making the change to a foam bodyboard.
Many pregnant surfers who still enjoy catching waves make the switch to a foam surfboard to relieve the pressure on their stomach.
However, you will need to make adjustments to your bodyboarding technique as a foam board is much lighter in weight.
Even though you’re surrounded by water, it’s also essential to stay hydrated when performing any physical activity.
You’ll need to take regular breaks to drink water as dehydration can lead to health complications during pregnancy.
None of this particular equipment is a significant investment, but they will make you feel safer while bodyboarding.
Will Bodyboarding Harm Your Unborn Baby?
Some risks that come with any physical activity that you participate in while pregnant, but provided that you manage these hazards appropriately, then you are unlikely to bring any harm to your unborn child.
There are currently no studies that show that exercise or physical activity during pregnancy has a significant effect on the wellbeing of a baby.
But there are some concerns that you should be aware of before you hit the waves.
These include:
Premature contractions can be induced by hormones that are stimulated through physical activity or exercise.
An increase in glucose consumption that comes from muscles working harder than they usually would, impacting the fetal glucose levels.
Blood being redistributed from internal organs to skeleton muscles which can reduce oxygen and nutrients delivered to the placental site.
Increased heat can challenge maternal thermoregulation, particularly in the first trimester.
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, then it’s best to consult your medical practitioner about any risks that come with physical activity.
The last thing that you want to be worrying about while on your board is something happening to your unborn child.
How Long Can You Stay Out Bodyboarding While You’re Pregnant?
Every woman’s pregnancy journey is different.
For mothers who have had multiple children, no pregnancy has felt the same.
The same can be said for pregnant bodyboarders.
For some women, the nausea and headaches that come in the first trimester are enough to put them off the smell of the ocean.
At the same time, other women will bodyboard throughout their pregnancy.
The best advice from medical practitioners and other pregnant bodyboarders is to listen to your body when you’re out on the water.
You may need to take regular breaks and rehydrate before you head out for the next wave.
Your body will be going through some significant changes, and you need to be prepared mentally that you are not going to be able to bodyboard like you usually would.
Being pregnant can impact your body, and you may fatigue faster than you usually would.
While there’s no set time limit of how long you should be out in the ocean, you need to understand your body’s new limits now that you’re carrying a child.
At What Stage in The Pregnancy Should You Stop Bodyboarding?
There’s no ideal time that you should hang up your wetsuit, but there are some specific dates during your pregnancy that you need to prepare for in order to protect your baby.
The first trimester is when you’re likely to feel the most nauseous and exhausted.
While there won’t be any impacts on your baby during this period, you might not feel like heading out to the sea.
If you do, it’s recommended that you do shorter sessions and take on lighter waves during this period.
By the start of your second trimester, the uterus begins to migrate to the bottom of the pelvic area.
If you’re planning on stopping bodyboarding, then this would be the time to give it up.
However, provided you make some alterations to your technique, then you’ll be able to continue enjoying the waves.
In the third trimester, your body may feel a lot heavier than what you’re used to.
If you’re persisting with getting out on the water, you might want to stick to paddling in the water as opposed to catching waves.
The saltwater can help reduce bloating, which often occurs in the third trimester.
So, swimming in the water has its benefits.
Only you will know when the right time is to stop your hobby.
Your body will give you all the vital signs that you’ve had enough and that you should stop bodyboarding.
But there is no definitive answer when that will be as every woman’s pregnancy journey is unique.
Is Bodyboarding While Pregnant Worth the Risk?
Performing any physical activity comes with its risks.
That’s why it’s essential always to consult a medical practitioner to ensure that you can perform actions like bodyboarding safely.
As there are no studies that have concluded that physical activities can impact a baby’s wellbeing when they’re born, it’s essential to understand how you can protect your body and your unborn child while taking part in health initiatives.
If your body can handle bodyboarding and your doctor advises that you have no conditions to be concerned about, then there should be nothing stopping you from catching the next wave.
