There is nothing compared to the sheer excitement and thrill that you get on a roller coaster ride. Moreover, people don’t want to miss the joy that bursts within when they accelerate at greater speed. However, can you ride roller coasters while pregnant?
The idea of keeping your baby healthy during pregnancy can make you feel paranoid. And, you may question yourself whether or not it is safe to ride roller coasters while being pregnant. If you are pregnant, it is wise to avoid roller coasters or rides that you find in theme parks.
It might be dangerous and crazy to do stuff like that. Furthermore, there are a few factors that you should know that are associated with riding roller coasters during pregnancy. So, continue reading the post.
Can I ride a roller coaster while being pregnant?
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Visiting amusement parks and allowing yourself to enjoy the rides might make your day a memorable one. Regardless of roller coaster rides being gentle, they might not be the safest option for yourself and your baby. However, there is no hard evidence that says women can’t ride roller coasters when they are pregnant.
Besides, if someone needs to prove that roller coasters are not good for pregnant women, there should be concrete evidence that shows babies are in danger. But this isn’t an ethical or feasible experiment. Instead, you can use your common sense.
Roller coaster rides in amusement parks display warning signs that say pregnant women should stay away from them. Or, they should do it at their own risk. It means that you should proceed with extreme caution because there is a chance that something might go wrong.
What are the risks associated with riding a roller coaster during pregnancy?
There is no denying that roller coaster rides can have an impact on pregnancy. Hence, you should be cautious about certain risks that you might be exposed to. For women in their first trimesters, this might be a dangerous situation.
Let’s discuss the two most likely complications that pregnant women might face when riding roller coasters.
- Placental abruption – During the first trimester of pregnancy, the embryo attempts to get within the uterus to secure itself properly. Moreover, during the later stages, the placenta has a key role to play. It is responsible to supply the fetus with the right nutrition and hold it in its place.
Because of placental abruption, a woman experiences significant bleeding. It is a medical condition where the placenta splits from the uterus lining which causes bleeding. As a result, the baby will have low weight after birth. Also, the situation might not be a good one for both the baby and mother.
Other medical conditions lead to placental abruption sometimes. But the situation mainly arises because of a heavy body shake. And, it is similar to that one can feel while riding roller coasters or automobile crashes. When it occurs, excessive hemorrhage is common.
- Miscarriage – One of the worst fears of most pregnant women is to suffer a miscarriage. Fortunately, there is no evidence that miscarriages might happen if women ride roller coasters.
This is because the fetus is still in the early stages of growth and developing slowly. However, as a safety precaution, it is best to avoid riding a roller coaster during your pregnancy. This becomes important in the later phases. That way, your infant stays unharmed.
Also, roller coasters move abruptly and throw your body around. As a result, it can cause trauma to the fetus and lead to a miscarriage. It is better to consider these links and avoid riding a roller coaster while carrying your baby inside you.
What are the possible symptoms that pregnant women face after riding roller coasters?
On most occasions, the impacts of a rollercoaster ride can be noticeable. Whereas, it may not be visible at other times. While some rides might be safe, it is wise to seek advice from an expert physician. Here are some symptoms that you may observe following a roller coaster ride.
- Sudden abdominal pain that keeps on increasing
- Continuous contractions in your abdomen that takes a long time to dissipate
- Severe stomach pain and backaches
- Immense vaginal bleeding
Whenever you face any of these symptoms, visit a physician immediately without wasting any time. That’s because things might become complicated if you wait for long.
Safety precautions while riding roller coasters during pregnancy:
The best way to stay safe is to avoid roller coasters until you give birth to your baby. It is beyond doubt that roller coasters ride is going to stay here for long. And, you can enjoy every bit of it at any point in time.
But if you took a ride, there is nothing to worry about your child. Ensure that you are not experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms. It is not safe to go for a roller coaster ride during the first trimester of your pregnancy.
That’s because the chances of miscarriage are the highest during this period. When you progress through pregnancy stages, sitting on a roller coaster significantly increases your blood pressure. And, it can cause immense stress on your abdomen as well, which isn’t safe for your unborn child.
Besides, when you are strapped tightly, it is going to make things complicated both for you and your baby. Keeping yourself healthy and your baby safe is your topmost priority. As such, you can enjoy other games instead.
What are the important things to consider when riding a roller coaster?
As said, there is no sufficient information on whether or not riding on roller coasters can create pregnancy complications. Hence, it is difficult to predict exactly what type of risks are you taking while riding them. However, the most sensible thing that you can do is to avoid a ride on a roller coaster.
In short, it is better to stay away from them even if you feel that it is less risky. Given that, if you still believe that it might not create complications, here are some important factors that you should consider.
- Types of roller coasters
While referring to a rollercoaster, it is not that all are made equal. When you visit an amusement park, you can see that there are different types of rollercoasters.
Some roller coasters look terrifying and they move at higher speeds. They spin their passengers around and even turn them upside down. So, riding in any one of these kinds of roller coasters while being pregnant is a bad idea. And, you should completely avoid that.
But certain roller coasters are designed specifically for children. The best part is that they move slow and are gentle with their passengers. Hence, if the ride involves no abrupt movements, it is a lot safer. Still, you need to take a cautious approach when you ride them.
- Different stages of pregnancy
Another biggest factor that you should consider is how far you came in your pregnancy. The riskiest point to take a ride on a roller coaster is during the third trimester of your pregnancy. That’s because the jarring movements that will occur can result in serious complications.
Also, placental abruption can happen during this stage. When you are in the third trimester, the placenta gets fully developed. So, chances of disruption increase. However, it is riskier to ride a roller coaster during the first trimester as well.
When you are in the first stage of pregnancy, the fetus is vulnerable to most changes. Hence, it is good to remain cautious. During the first 12 weeks, the major organs of the fetus are in the developing stage. You can say that the fetus is in a sensitive state.
When you are in the advanced stages of your pregnancy, you will feel less mobile. And, the metal barriers that you see on roller coasters aren’t made for pregnant women. As such, you can harm your abdomen badly.
If you want to take roller coaster rides when pregnant, it is better to do that during the initial stages of pregnancy. Keep in mind that regardless of whenever you do, there are serious risks associated with it.
- Women who are at risk
While it is recommended not to ride roller coasters for all pregnant women, some women are at greater risks. If you previously had a placental abruption, the chances of having the same problem increase.
Women with a history of complications in pregnancy are more vulnerable to having the same issues during upcoming pregnancies. If you are over 35 years, complications during pregnancy are common. So, you should take extra precautions.
Furthermore, if you are more than 40 years old, the risks of placental abruption increase. In general, the younger you are, it is less likely that certain things might affect you. Yet, it doesn’t mean that riding roller coasters is safe.
Another reason for placental abruption is an underlying health issue like hypertension. If you smoke or have other health issues such as thyroid or diabetes, they can cause problems. However, they are not linked specifically to having placental abruption.
If you experienced a fall or minor accident during your pregnancy, you should remain extra careful. That’s because the events might have caused significant harm to the fetus.
You may find all the information alarming. But all these are necessary precautions to make sure that your fetus stays as healthier as possible. Apart from that, with less information about the topic, it is best to stay alert.
What activities are considered safe for pregnant women?
As it appears that roller coasters are out of the equation, you may be wondering what type of rides should be safe. Other activities like rollercoasters are yet to prove safe or unsafe because there is no specific theory.
Instead, you can be at peace without problems while having rides specifically designed for younger children. These may include carousels, railroad rides, and haunted houses. Furthermore, Disneyland has lots of attractions that are suitable for women with pregnancies. Or, you can choose to watch movies or go swimming.
Does riding on roller coasters pose a risk during pregnancy?
When you visit an amusement park and allow yourself to have a ride while pregnant, it makes for a great day. The rides on a roller coaster are always fun. But it might not be the best alternative for yourself and your baby.
Besides, there is no clinical evidence that proves roller coaster rides aren’t harmful to expecting mothers. Similarly, their safety hasn’t been proved either. Sometimes you find a display sign that warns pregnant women to stay away from rides because of the exposed risks.
In general, rides on roller coasters can cause certain complications during pregnancy. So, it is better to keep yourself away from those rides.
How safe is it for pregnant women to ride roller coasters?
If you are in the first trimester of pregnancy, you have a greater level of risk. And, it could elevate further when you are more exposed to the ride. Moreover, choosing the ride for a later stage I pregnancy isn’t going to make things easy for you.
It may lead to issues related to the development of the fetus. So, it is not safe to ride a roller coaster while you are pregnant. It is better to engage yourself in other activities instead.
Can a pregnant woman ride a roller coaster?
Riding a roller coaster can hurt your pregnancy. So, you need to know about the risks associated with it. Starting from the first trimester, a woman may encounter certain complications after riding a roller coaster. So, it is recommended not to ride one.
What if you took a ride without knowing that you are pregnant?
There is nothing to worry about if you took a roller coaster ride before realizing you were pregnant. It is unlikely that there will be issues. However, you can always get in touch with a physician and know what to do next.
Conclusion
There is no solid evidence that riding roller coasters during pregnancy is a big no. But it is wise to think that it might be dangerous. Hence, it is not worth running the risk of riding them. The bottom line is that you should seek your thrills somewhere else, especially during pregnancy.
