Is it possible to snowshoe safely while being pregnant? If you have this doubt, do not worry. In this article, you will get a complete guide and the answer to your questions.
To snowshoe safely while pregnant keep an eye on how much you’re carrying, wear the proper clothing, and make sure you’re wearing safe snowshoes. You don’t want to over exert yourself while pregnant so carrying a minimal load is one of the most important considerations.
Snowshoeing is a great way to get outdoors and explore. If you have reservations about snowshoeing while pregnant, keep reading. This article will cover everything you may want to know about snowshoeing while pregnant.
Guide, tips, and recommendations on how to safely snowshoe while pregnant
Here are the suggestions and recommendations that all pregnant women should follow:
1. Never practice extreme sports or do risky things without consulting with your doctor:
Pregnant women are all unique, and their bodies do not work the same way. This means that the only way of knowing if you can do these activities is by speaking and discussing them with a professional.
2. Go at your own pace:
As a pregnant woman, others should adjust to you. You do not have to adjust entirely with others. Pregnancy does not prevent you from doing things. Yet, you still need to be careful because you carry a big responsibility on your shoulders.
3. Buy the correct size of snowshoe:
This is essential. A pregnant woman should always have the most comfortable shoes in situations like this because, for everyone, this activity can be tiring.
4. Even if your doctor says that you can do it, listen to your body:
If you feel sick or are too close to giving birth, you should avoid practicing too many activities. This can be dangerous, and that is the reason why you should listen to your body.
Is snowshoeing safe during pregnancy?
Snowshoeing can be done safely while pregnant but it is always recommended to consult with your doctor before doing any strenuous activities. Wear the right size snowshoes and limit the weight you carry to make snowshoeing a lot less strenuous on your body.
As said before, it all depends on the person. For example, many people might know that there are women who are not even aware of their pregnancy in some extreme cases.
Yet, other women have many issues during their pregnancies. Sometimes, doctors even recommend that they need to stay in bed all day long because even doing daily routine things can put them in a dangerous and risky situation.
If you ask yourself, analyze your pregnancy and then discuss it with a doctor. After that, you will know the best option for your specific case.
Recommended gear for pregnant women to snowshoe
Everybody needs specific clothes for snowshoeing. But pregnant women need certain garments that they can wear that are comfortable and adequate for the occasion. Below, it will be discussed which clothes can suit a pregnant woman best for a great snowshoeing.
1. Comfortable snowshoes:
You can find women’s snowshoes on many websites. Yet, there are not too many snowshoes (or no snowshoes at all) designed for pregnant women only because this is not an activity that many pregnant people practice. You can do some research and find a comfortable and easy pair to put and take off.
For example, some women recommend the TUBBS Flex ALP Women’s snowshoes (link to Amazon) because they do not require much bending to put on or take off, which you should not do while pregnant.
2. Buy trekking poles:
People recommend trekking poles for snowshoeing not only for pregnant women but for everyone. Many people buy them adjustable, which is an excellent idea for a pregnant woman.
Look through these Adjustable Trekking Poles (link to Amazon) for a set that will keep you safe while snowshoeing.
You can modify and rearrange them to your own convenience and accommodation. Trekking poles make snowshoeing more manageable, and they can help you maintain your balance.
3. Buy thermal shirts or jackets:
As a pregnant woman, you should never expose yourself to drastic weather that can make you feel uncomfortable or that can damage your health. A thermal shirt or jacket can give you a cozy and warm feeling.
4. Buy winter clothing or oversized jackets:
You should use winter clothing even if you are not snowshoeing in winter because, as said before, you cannot expose yourself to a change of weather that can damage you or your baby.
There are not too many clothes available for pregnant women in many situations, so a suggestion or alternative is to buy women’s or men’s oversized clothes (oversized for you).
5. Use thick underwear that keeps you warm:
This might be something that you can forget at the moment, but this is extremely helpful because it makes you feel cozy and comfortable while snowshoeing.
6. You can wear leggings or thick pants:
Or you could layer them too, leggings underneath and thick pants (like sweatpants or snow clothes) on top. This will help even more to add to all the things mentioned before.
In conclusion, you can always do some research and keep buying winter or snow clothing for snowshoeing or other snow activities.
Can I snowshoe if I am overweight?
Snowshoeing and being overweight should not be a problem at all. In fact, it is actually beneficial if you need to do some cardio or keep moving around constantly. Snowshoes can support up to 390 lbs. If you are pregnant and a little bit overweight, you should not worry. You can definitely practice this activity.
Is it beneficial to snowshoe while pregnant?
Yes, exercises and constant movements are beneficial for many pregnant women. But, everyone is different, and you need to listen to the suggestions of your doctor. It can help you with back pain, relieve stress, and prepare your body for delivery and labor.
Is snowshoeing bad for my baby?
If you do too much exercise and exaggerate the number of movements you can do while pregnant, you can create many issues and have many consequences after this. For instance, you could ruin your mood, damage your immune system, and produce hormonal swings that can be uncomfortable.
When should I stop snowshoeing when I am pregnant?
You should know this when you feel any of these things or general discomfort:
- Stop exercising if you feel unbearable back pain, do not force yourself.
- You should stop if you feel reduced or diminished fetal movements.
- Extreme fatigue is also a sign that tells you that you need to stop exercising excessively.
- After doing too much effort or exercise, you can feel sudden dizziness. Stop, take a break or completely stop making the physical effort.
- Chest pain comes with the symptoms of making too much effort or exercise.
Is hiking easier than snowshoeing for a pregnant woman?
This depends on the person. Yet, many people claim that they think hiking is easier. Technically you need less gear and special clothes for hiking. At the same time, the terrain for hiking can be easier to handle because snow can be deep.
How many hours should a pregnant woman stand up on her feet?
Some studies have shown that pregnant women that work every day standing up are more prone to prematurity. When they stand up for more time, it triples the danger. This means that practicing snowshoeing for too many hours can be harmful because it involves standing up and moving your feet a lot. If you want to practice snowshoeing, you will need to do it in short sessions.
Conclusion
As mentioned before, you will need to consult everything else with your doctor to be approved before doing it. At the end of the day, professionals are the ones that have the last word. Finally, remember to take care. Your health and well-being are way more important than practicing an activity.