Jumping On A Trampoline While Pregnant: Is It Safe?
The debate on whether jumping on a trampoline while pregnant is safe is still very much on, with both sides of the divide raising pretty solid arguments. Some experts see it as a safe way to stay fit while pregnant, while others outright discourage it, claiming that jumping on a trampoline is highly hazardous.
According to the CDC, there are about 130 million visits to the ER each year. Of these visits, 35 million – about 27 percent – are injury-related. While there is no data on the number of trampoline-caused injuries, many ER doctors agree that the risk of injury while jumping on a trampoline while pregnant is too high.
On the other hand, proponents argue that since jumping on a trampoline is a low-impact exercise, it shouldn’t affect the baby or be an issue of concern for pregnant women. In fact, the argument goes, some babies find the rhythm of jumping and bouncing on a trampoline soothing.
So, do we recommend jumping on a trampoline while pregnant?
Well, YES! But jumping on a trampoline while pregnant is only safe to some extent. That’s why we recommend taking a hybrid approach. But, more on this later.
Let’s first look at the three stages of pregnancy to understand better when to use a trampoline when pregnant.
Stages of Pregnancy
On average, pregnancies last about 40 weeks from the first day of your last regular period. There are three stages of pregnancy: the first, second, and third trimesters. Below, we take a brief look at these stages in the context of safety when jumping on a trampoline.
First Trimester
The first trimester is the time between week 1 and week 12 from the first day of your last regular period.
At this stage, your body begins to undergo hormonal changes. You stop having your periods and may experience weight gain or loss, extreme tiredness, nausea, tender breasts, cravings for certain foods, headaches, and mood swings.
Prolactin begins to loosen your joints. You may notice that your balance seems off, and you’re more prone to slides and slips. While it’s unlikely your baby will get hurt when you fall during this stage, you will undoubtedly get hurt.
With this in mind, we recommend reducing the frequency of jumping on a trampoline when you enter the first trimester. Moreso, as your body starts to experience more hormonal changes and lose its balance.
Second Trimester
The second trimester occurs between week 13 and week 28 from the first day of your last regular period.
At this stage, fatigue and nausea slowly fade, your abdomen expands, and the baby starts to move at some point. You may experience body aches in your belly, groin, thigh, or back. Other changes may include swollen ankles, numb or tingling hands, and itching on the palms, abdomen, and soles of the feet.
We do not recommend using trampolines at this stage because your center of balance is off, and the risk of falling off a trampoline is very high. Falling will not only injure you but cause harm to your baby as well.
Third Trimester
Now, enters the last trimester, better known as the home stretch! (week 29 to 40 of your pregnancy).
In this phase, your baby grows bigger and starts to put more pressure on your organs. You may begin to experience breathing difficulties and find that your trips to the bathroom have increased. Other changes you can expect include heartburn, hemorrhoids, swelling of the ankles, contractions, trouble sleeping, and your baby moving lower in the abdomen.
Jumping on a trampoline at this stage of your pregnancy is a big no-no! Your body is more fragile and falling on your stomach is a real possibility. Potentially disastrous results from falling in the third trimester include premature labour and placental abruption.
Is It OK To Jump On A Trampoline While Pregnant?
Yes, it’s ok to jump on a trampoline while pregnant. But only in the early face of your first trimester. Gradually reduce how often you jump on a trampoline as your first trimester progresses, and ultimately bring it to a halt when you enter the second trimester.
The reasoning is that, in the early stages of your pregnancy, the body can still handle most of the activities you’re used to – though to a lower degree. The further you go into your pregnancy, the less balance you will have. Thus the likelihood that you’ll lose control of your balance and fall when jumping on a trampoline while pregnant increases with each successive stage.
Can Jumping On A Trampoline Induce Labour?
It’s not a good idea to jump on a trampoline to induce labor. As we mentioned, when you’re far into your pregnancy, your ligaments loosen up, and your whole body becomes more relaxed, making you more prone to falling. Thus, jumping on a trampoline during the last stage of your pregnancy is more likely to harm you and your baby than induce labor.
Can Jumping While Pregnant Hurt The Baby?
No, jumping while pregnant cannot directly hurt the baby. The human body has incredible mechanisms that protect your unborn baby from any movements – including jumping. However, jumping can cause you to fall and get injured, indirectly hurting the baby. The idea is to avoid activities that may strain your body and cause injury during pregnancy.
Final Words
Pregnancy involves inevitable changes to your body and will require some adjustments to your behavior and activities. Remember that falling from a trampoline can be disastrous, leading to injury to self and the baby, placental abruption, and even premature labour.
If you plan on jumping on a trampoline while pregnant, only do so during the early phase of your first trimester when your body hasn’t experienced significant changes. Avoid trampolines when you enter the second trimester and during the last stage of your pregnancy.
And there you have it! We’ve shared essential tips about jumping on a trampoline while pregnant and how to stay safe. However, this guide shouldn’t be a substitute for visiting your obstetrician. Once your OB gives you the O.K. for jumping on a trampoline while pregnant, you’re good to go!
