QuestionMy husband and I have just started this month trying to conceive. We have so far had a preconception visit, I have been on vitamins for a year or so. Everyting is right on track. However, we were planning on a trip this month, and had thought about an amusement park. We both enjoy them very much, and it would be nice to have one last trip pre-baby! However, I know there are risks for pregnant women to ride many thrill rides. What is your opinion on how safe it would be for me to ride these in the second or third week of pregnancy, if it would happen that I am pregnant now. (There is no way of knowing yet, and I wanted advice before selecting our destination)
I wouldn't think that this early in a pregnancy there would be much of a risk from riding relatively smooth rides (I stay away from wooden coasters and others that are extrememly jerky). But I'm no expert, which is why I wanted to ask. I want to do what's best, even if I'm not pregnant this month.
AnswerThere is no way to determine how safe is "safe", when talking about roller coasters. It is quite likely that there will be no effects at all on a very early gestation. HOwever, if implantation is not that good or if the placenta has any "subchorionic bleeds" the jerky movements of the roller coaster may cause problems. Certainly, later on in pregnancy can be risky due to changes in your center of gravity and the risk that changes in pressure can cause premature rupture of membranes or preterm labor. I would not recommend roller coasters at all during your entire pregnancy. That also goes for scuba diving (the baby gets "the bends") or skydiving.
