Is it Safe to Go down a Water Slide while Pregnant? (Water Park Safety)
Waterparks and water slides are so much fun, but is it safe to go down a water slide while pregnant? Let’s find out.
Finally, summer is upon us. Is there a better way to cool down and have fun than enjoying a water slide at a water park or go snorkeling at the beach?
But can you go on a water slide when pregnant? That’s a big question. So when you have kids home, and they want to go to a waterpark, what should you do?
Should you just watch them having fun on a water slide while waiting for them on a bench because you are pregnant?
Maybe!
Depending upon the type of water slide – height, force, pregnant women should avoid water slides. Water slides with height should be avoided when pregnant because of sudden movement; strength of force can cause miscarriage or pregnancy complications. However, water slides for babies are probably okay to go on, but if there is a risk of bumping your belly to any part of a small water slide, it should be avoided when pregnant.
Let’s go into detail about whether it is safe to go on a water slide while pregnant and what else you should be aware of when going to a water park.
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Is it safe to go to Water Park while Pregnant?
There are many things that you should and should not do during pregnancy. From eating to your skincare routine to activities, you do during pregnancy have safety concerns.
Because whatever you do or eat or put on your body affects your baby. So, you do not want to do anything that may impact the well-being of your growing baby.
If you are a big fan of the water park, you might want to take a break from riding those fun adult water slides while pregnant.
But this does not mean that you can’t go to the water park. You can go to the water park with your family and friends and take your kids to the water park, but be ready to sit out on a bench while your friends or family have fun.
There are safer things you can do at the water park. Keep reading to find out which attraction is safe for you to do a water park when pregnant.
Can I go down a Water Slide while Pregnant?
Water slides are a fun way to cool down during summer. But is it safe to go down a water slide when pregnant?
Maybe not!
Depending on the height and design of water slides – some are very high, and you slide down at almost 90 degrees, while others bring you down in a zig-zag motion, which may pose a risk to a growing fetus in any trimester during pregnancy.
The sudden movements and force from riding down water slides can cause the placenta to prematurely separate from the uterus, the condition medically known as placenta abruption, which can cause severe bleeding and premature birth or stillbirth. The risk of placenta abruption increases as pregnancy advances.
Also, when you are riding the big water slide, there is always a risk of getting bumped around, which is something you want to avoid when you are pregnant.
Most water parks have safety guidelines and you may have read signs on water sides advising pregnant women against riding a water slide on your previous waterpark visits.
When you are riding a water slide, there is also a chance of slipping off your water tube, bumping into someone else, or even slipping and falling, which can cause harm to your baby.
While American Pregnancy Association does not have direct advice relating to riding water slides or roller coaster during pregnancy, they do advise avoiding activity where falling, bouncing, and twisting is more likely.
So, it is best to avoid a big water slide while pregnant.
If you wonder whether you can ride a water slide along with your 2-year-old, then maybe you can. Smaller rides do not carry considerable risk, but if you think there is a risk of bumping your belly onto the parts of the ride or bumping into someone else, you should not ride it.
What else can you do at the water park when pregnant?
Now that any attraction or ride that may cause fall, slip, bumping, or drop is off the list, what else can you do at a water park when pregnant?
That is an excellent question!
Water slides are usually the fun part of visiting a water park. But because of the safety of your growing baby, that sacrifice is worth making.
So, how about Lazy River?
Can you go on the lazy river when pregnant?
Absolutely, you can cool down in the lazy river while others have fun riding down the water slide.
A lazy river is the safest way to enjoy water parks when pregnant. In the lazy river, you will be floating around on a tube. So, there is minimal risk to you and your growing baby.
That being said, you want to be careful sitting in and off the inflatable to avoid slip and fall.
If you are still worried about your baby’s safety, you can just walk around the water park , get some exercise, and enjoy treats while others are having fun.
Things you need to keep in mind when vising a water park when pregnant
If you are planning to visit a water park during pregnancy, you need to be aware of certain things for the safety of your growing fetus.
Whether you are 5 -10 weeks or 17-18 weeks, or 38 months pregnant, you should avoid big rides like a water slide or roller coaster that may harm your baby.
Even when you are in your first trimester, and there is no bulging belly to bump while going on a ride, you should still avoid rides that cause sudden movement, twist or drop and post a significant risk of miscarriage or pregnancy complications.
However, if you still decide to go on not-so-risky rides or baby rides, keep the following things in mind.
Read a sign
There is a safety guideline sign by the water park authority at every ride. If the signs warn you against riding when pregnant, do not go on that ride.
If you can not see a sign, ask a crew member or ask yourself a question, is there any chance I could hit my belly while riding the slide? If your answer to this question is yes, then avoid that slide.
It is always to be safe than sorry!
Avoid wave pool
Water parks usually have a wave pool. So, you might wonder, what is wrong with going in a wave pool while pregnant?
The sudden force of the wave may make you unsteady and increase your risk of slip and fall. There is also a risk of bumping into other people enjoying a wave pool. So, for safety reasons, avoid going into the wave pool.
Avoid direct Sunlight
Expecting mothers should stay away from direct sunlight because they are more likely to overheat. During pregnancy, they also have sensitive skin, so direct exposure to sunlight makes them more susceptible to heat rash, burning, hives, and chloasma.
So, if you are visiting a water park, make sure to wear a hat and sunscreen and walk in the shade.
Stay hydrated
A pregnant woman should drink 8-10 glasses of water each day. And when you are visiting a water park, you should drink even more as you will be under direct sun exposure. So, make sure to carry a water bottle with you all the time.
FAQs
Is it okay to go to the Water park during early Pregnancy?
While APA has no clear recommendation regarding riding a water slide during pregnancy, they advise avoiding activity that involves bumping, slipping, falling, dropping, sudden movement, or twisting the body.
So even though your belly is not big yet, there is still a risk when riding a big water slide at a water park during early pregnancy.
Depending upon the sudden movement and impact of force, it may cause pregnancy complications or miscarriage during early pregnancy.
Even when the water slide is not big, you still need to be careful about not bumping your belly while riding down.
So, it is best to avoid riding water slide whether you are in your first trimester, second trimmest, or third trimester, just to be on the safer side.
But you can certainly go to the water park and enjoy low-risk activities like a lazy river or just walk around the water park.
Is it safe to swim in a pool while pregnant?
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, swimming is the safest form of exercise during pregnancy. And swimming, whether in chlorine or salt-treated pool, is allowed for pregnant women.
However, swimming in pools during pregnancy may expose the fetus to water disinfection by-products (DBP).
DBPS are a complex mixture of organic chemicals formed from reactions of the brominated or chlorinated compound used in the pool disinfection process.
A study published in 2019 analyzed the effects of maternal swimming in Indoor and outdoor pools) in birth outcomes in 1033 pregnant women. The study concluded that swimming in pools during pregnancy may influence children’s head circumferences at birth and change the cell subpopulations in newborn cord blood.
Also, the ideal temperature for swimming in a pool is between 78-84°F. Pregnant women should avoid too cold or too hot water temperature pools.
If you are planning to go to the water park and swim in a pool, you want to check out this very comfortable and cute maternity swimwear. They are super cute and breathable.
Is it safe to swim in a lake during pregnancy?
Low-impact exercise like swimming is great for pregnant women. However, before swimming in a lake, river, or ocean during pregnancy, you should know that water is untreated. Unlike the pool, untreated water in the lake is home to bacteria and germs.
These microbes in untreated water can cause gastrointestinal illnesses like diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting in case of accidentally drinking lake water. In addition, pregnant women are at increased risk of infection as their immune system works less effectively.
That’s why you should be careful swimming in a lake during pregnancy.
Conclusion
Going down a water slide in summer is a fun activity. However, pregnant women should avoid riding these big water slides as it poses too much risk to their growing baby.
The sudden movement, force, and twisting while riding a water slide can cause pregnancy complications and miscarriage. So for the safety of your unborn child, avoid riding a water slide throughout pregnancy.
If you are a water park, opt for safer, low-risk activities like a lazy river. Still, you want to be careful going in and out of the floating tube.
Have a safe summer, Mama!
