So, you are pregnant and having the ride of your life. You may be wondering why you have quick mood shifts and what makes you dislike stuff for no apparent reason. Well, that is surely not enough – there are so many other things you need to worry about or have questions about. Women with a sense of adventure often wonder if they can ride roller coasters while pregnant. You can definitely spend a day at the park, but there are certain activities to avoid. Is roller coaster included in the list? Let's find out now.

Can You Ride Roller Coasters Pregnant?

Best avoid it. Enjoying your time out at an amusement park is certainly a fun activity, but you have to be careful when you are pregnant. At least, you have to stay away from the roller coaster. You will always be safer playing games in the game booths. Anything that lets you keep your feet planted on the ground is usually fine.

It is important to point out that there is no scientific evidence that roller coasters are dangerous in pregnancy. However, there is no research either to confirm you can enjoy it without having to worry about anything. You should consider playing it safe, and that is why it is better to avoid roller coasters.

You should avoid it during the first trimester because those rapid starts-and-stops and jarring motions are not safe. Moreover, your nausea may become worse after a roller coaster ride. It is important to avoid it in the second and third trimester because the jarring motions can put pressure on your uterus and even lead to a life-threatening complication, such as placental abruption or placental tearing.

Placental abruption can be dangerous because it causes the placenta to become separate from the wall of your uterus – this blocks supply of oxygen and nutrients to your baby. It is also associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery – that is, delivery before 37 weeks.

Do Roller Coasters Cause Miscarriage?

Can you ride roller coasters pregnant? You probably can in very early pregnancy, but it is still better to avoid it. While it can cause complications, it is less likely to cause a miscarriage at this stage. That is mainly because those jarring movements of roller coasters will not affect the placenta that is still at its earlier stages of development.

Just to be safe, it is still a good idea to avoid riding roller coasters and other amusement park rides for that matter. There is no concrete evidence to confirm that these rides are safe during pregnancy. Anything can go wrong any time. If you ride a roller coaster and a miscarriage happens for another reason, you may still blame it on your decision of taking the ride.

More Things to Avoid While Pregnant

Can you ride roller coasters pregnant? It is better to avoid it. However, there are other things to avoid during pregnancy. Here are a few of them.

1. Avoid Gel Manicure

You may feel tempted to go to the salon to enjoy gel manicure, but you should avoid it at all cost. The reason is that gel formulas contain certain compounds that can be toxic to you as well as your baby. While your body cannot absorb gel polishes through nails, it certain can absorb it through the nail bed. If you really want some manicure, opt for a regular one with no polish included. Under no circumstances should you be selecting a polish that contains dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde, or toluene. Moreover, you should avoid UV rays as well, especially when it comes to drying your digits. Opt for a fan instead.

2. Stay Away from Sleep Aids

You may find it a bit difficult to sleep when you are pregnant – you can be too tired or stressed about hurting your baby while sleeping. Whatever the case, avoid taking any type of sleep aid. You should also avoid melatonin and other natural sleep aids because there is no evidence that they are safe during pregnancy.

3. Avoid Teeth Whitening Products

While you may want to try some teeth whitening products to go with your maternal glow, you should hold off on any type of bleaching treatments. It includes both OTC and professional bleaching treatments. During the procedure, certain chemicals are produced that can corrode tissue cells and even prove dangerous for your little one. A better way to remove stains is to make a paste by combining equal parts baking soda and strawberry in a blender and then applying it directly on your teeth. Rinse it off after five minutes. Alternatively, you can find regular whitening toothpastes that include baking soda – they work and are safe for pregnant women.

4. Stay Away from Marijuana

During pregnancy, it is important to stay away from any type of illegal drug. You should never use marijuana even in early pregnancy. Taking drugs at any stage in pregnancy can cause birth defects, miscarriage, and preterm labor.

5. No Tanning

Many women are not aware of it, but you should avoid tanning at all cost. Indoors or out, tannin can cause pregnancy complications and even put you at an increased risk of cancer. You may have to talk to your doctor about self-tanners and know if they are safe to use in your case.

6. Getting a Piercing or Tattoo

You increase your risk of developing skin infection when you get a tattoo or have ink inject into your skin. It is also associated with an increased risk of hepatitis B and HIV. Moreover, you cannot find enough research to claim that the skin dyes are safe for a developing fetus. It is also not a good idea to get a tattoo when your skin is already expanding due to pregnancy. It can affect recovery and increase your risk of infection. You may even have to remove navel piercings as you reach close to delivery.