During the 40 or so weeks of pregnancy, a lot of your life will mostly continue as normal.
If you had a skiing holiday booked before you became pregnant, or you are hoping to book one, then you might be wondering whether heading to the slopes is the best option for you and baby.
It is generally advised by doctors and health experts that skiing is not suitable while pregnant. The main reason for this is the risk of falling and trauma to the abdomen.It is strongly advised that you have a conversation with your ob-gyn or health care professional before going on any skiing trip, and the risks are greater the further into the term you are. Ultimately, if possible, the sport should be avoided until your child has been born and your body is back to normal.
Skiing can be an intensive sport and the risk of falling and injury can be high.
If you are really determined to still go skiing, then there are many points that need to be factored into your decision-making.
Below, we’ll break down all of the different factors involved.
Exercising while pregnant
In general, keeping your current fitness levels up is good while you are pregnant.
As you head into your second and third trimester, you may find that you have no choice but to slow down anyway.
As your body goes through the different changes of pregnancy, there are benefits of keeping your fitness levels up.
Building your muscles helps with the extra weight that the new baby will bring, and good cardiovascular health will certainly be a benefit.
Risks of skiing while pregnant
Both The Mayo Clinic and The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommend that skiing is avoided while pregnant.
The biggest risk while skiing is, of course, having a fall or accident on the slopes, which could impact your baby and cause serious damage.
You may have a fall on the open slopes, or even hit a tree, and even if you are as safe as possible, someone could still ski into you!
Being strapped into a pair of skis can seriously impede your balance, and this is made worse during pregnancy.
In the later stages especially, your centre of gravity will be different to what you are used to, meaning you are at a higher risk of falling over.
Higher altitude can also pose a risk, especially if you are skiing above 6000 feet, due to the thinner atmosphere and reduced Oxygen levels.
Can I ski in the 1st trimester?
The First Trimester of pregnancy is incredibly important and puts a lot of strain on your body.
During this trimester, your baby is at its highest risk of miscarriage in general, so you won’t want to do anything that will increase this risk.
You will also probably be feeling exhausted a lot of the time, and be going through some form of morning sickness.
It is definitely advisable to avoid this time, until your body has settled into the pregnancy and you are starting to get your energy back.
Can I ski in the 2nd trimester?
If you definitely feel the need to ski, then this is probably the lowest-risk time to go.
For most people, the second trimester is the easiest.
Your ski clothes should hopefully still fit and you will have the most energy to get out and be active.
All of the risks are still present though, and you should definitely get the OK from your health professional beforehand.
You will need to ski with caution and you will find yourself getting tired quicker than you may have done on previous holidays.
Can I ski in the 3rd trimester?
Skiing in the third trimester is probably even riskier than in the first.
Your baby will be getting bigger by the day, and all of this extra weight will play havoc with your center of gravity.
They will also be at the biggest risk of trauma as they aren’t as protected inside your body as before.
You may find day-to-day activities a chore during this stage, so heading out for an active sport will be difficult and very risky.
It is definitely best to avoid skiing during this time.
Tips for skiing while pregnant
If you have spoken with your health professional, and they have approved skiing for you, then here are a few tips to help you stay as safe as possible:
Try not to ski in peak season
If you can stick to quieter times of the year, then you will have less chance of colliding with another skier on the slopes.
You can also take your time and go at more of your own pace.
Know your limits
These will probably be different than the last time you skied, so make sure you listen to your body and don’t overdo yourself.
Exhaustion can lead to stress for you and baby and make you more prone to accidents.
Choose the easier routes
Even if you are a pro-skier, stick to the easier slopes for now.
The trickier ones will still be there when you are in a position to ski them again.
While you are pregnant, do everything you can to reduce risk.
Consider a dry ski slope or an indoor slope.
You will be able to find off-peak times more easily, plus you will be a lot nearer to emergency services should something go wrong.
Is it still worth going on a ski holiday while pregnant?
Even if you ultimately decide not to ski, there is still a lot of fun on a ski holiday.
The snowy mountain scenery is breathtaking and can be very relaxing to be among.
There are also opportunities for a day at a spa and there will be pregnancy-friendly treatments for you to try.
If you want to get out for an activity, you could try snowshoeing, which will allow you to get out into the snow, without the risks associated with skiing or snowboarding.
As we mentioned at the beginning, there isn’t a simple yes or no answer to this question.
It will all depend on your own fitness level and experience with skiing, along with your individual advice from your health care professional.
If you can wait until your little one is born, then this will be the safest option, but this is by no means the definitive option.
