Pregnancy requires you to limit certain activities that could put both you and your baby at risk, including high-speed rides that could prove hazardous for both.
These rides may include roller coasters, water rides and any activity with rapid starts-and-stops, twists-and-jerks motion. Such rides could lead to placental abruption – the premature separation of the placenta from its uterine wall – during gestation.
Roller Coasters
Amusement parks provide an enjoyable way to pass a sunny summer day with your children, yet some rides may be unsafe for expectant mothers to enjoy.
Pregnant mothers should avoid thrill rides and roller coasters that feature sudden drops, upside-down action or high speeds as these can produce sudden jarring motions that could harm your unborn baby before they even arrive at birth.
The American Pregnancy Association (APA) advises pregnant women to refrain from these rides to protect themselves and their unborn child.
Roller coasters’ sudden movements and stops may contribute to placental abruption, wherein the placenta prematurely separates from the uterine wall before gestation begins. This condition can result in bleeding and reduced birth weight for your baby.
Spinning and Twirling Rides
Spinning rides are an enjoyable and effective way for children and adults alike to exercise while having fun, yet can become dangerous if your child does not pay attention or engages in too much spinning.
These rides can cause your brain to send warning signals to the body, leading to dizziness or nausea, so it is crucial that you know their limitations.
Pregnant women can safely ride ferris wheels, though you should avoid rides that are too exhilarating for your condition. Such rides typically feature rapid starts and stops, jarring motions, and excessive pressure against your abdomen that could potentially be harmful during gestation.
Some rides do not provide safety restraints and could pose an extreme danger to younger riders. Furthermore, these attractions have strong gravitational forces which may cause dizziness and cause nausea as a side effect.
Height Requirements
Ferris wheels have long been a mainstay at amusement parks and it is great to witness one in action on a hot summer day. Although getting on and off may be tricky at times, there are high tech solutions for getting on and off of these rides more easily; on good days the tallest ferris wheels can accommodate three adults at one time, although those with children might take their time and go at their own pace; remembering it’s free as well! You could even ride one while waiting for your children’s water rides to finish!
Safety
Ferris wheels should generally not be considered safe for pregnant women as they can put too much strain on the uterus and create complications during gestation.
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) is working on creating safety standards for amusement park rides such as ferris wheels. These should help prevent injuries or deaths caused by falls.
Ferris wheel accidents often result from operator or mechanical errors. One man was killed on a Ferris wheel in 2013 when a bolt came loose and struck him in the head, which resulted in fatal head trauma.
At Tennessee’s Greene County Fair, three girls were injured after their gondola tilted and they couldn’t cling on for support.
Experts claim the accident could have been avoided had the gondola been properly balanced. They further note that all amusement rides undergo rigorous checks prior to being opened for public use.
Chris is a passionate learner and writer. When he’s not working on his blog or learning something new, he’s a full-time systems administrator and father of two beautiful girls. Chris loves spending time with his family, reading, writing, and playing hockey.