This is the time of year that winter sports lovers long for. If you are pregnant, you may be wondering if it is safe to ski this year. The answer to this isn’t always clear. Opinions vary on skiing during pregnancy, even among obstetricians. Before participating in any strenuous activity, including skiing, talk to your health care provider.
Advice from doctors and midwives is mixed on the subject of skiing for pregnant patients. Some will tell you to avoid skiing due to the risk of falling and being injured. Others will base their advice on the level of proficiency of each patient. Inexperienced skiers will be advised to wait. Very experienced skiers may get the green light.
The main danger when skiing, whether you are pregnant or not, is falling. Even a fairly good skier can fall if someone bumps into her or she hits an icy patch on the slopes. This uncertainty is the reason that many doctors will tell patients to skip the slopes this year.
Many women go skiing in the first and early second trimester. These are generally experienced skiers. There are precautions that you can take to reduce the risk of injury. Skiing mid week when the resorts are less crowded is a good idea, since there will be fewer people to bump into you.
The bottom line is that this decision is a personal one that must be made by you and your health care provider. The health of the pregnancy and your level of proficiency are the biggest factors to consider. Your doctor or midwife knows your health history and risk factors involved. Have a conversation with the doctor and weigh the decision carefully.
If you do decide to go skiing, consider the runs you will ski. Stick to easier trails and avoid the expert slopes. Even if you are an expert skier, the difficult trails should be avoided. The risk of falling or colliding with another skier is greater on the expert trails. Take it easy and enjoy the slower pace. You will be safer and still be able to enjoy your day.
If you are in the later part of the second trimester or the third, you will need to skip it for this year. As your baby grows, your center of balance shifts. This increases the likelihood that you will fall. The risk to you and the baby are too great later in pregnancy. Next year, you can get grandma to baby sit, allowing you to enjoy the powder without worry.
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