With pregnancy comes a variety of lifestyle changes, from the foods you can and cannot consume to the pregnancy-friendly activities and workouts that are safe for you to participate in. Now, our article for today says: Can Pregnant Women Go on Water Slides?
Even though being hot may seem like an obvious thing, if the temperature rises, you may find yourself perspiring more than you expected to if you are pregnant. This is in addition to the extra weight of the baby in your uterus. Right? As if carrying a little human being wasn’t stressful enough.
Besides that, you may be unsure whether or not you’ll be able to participate in various activities to cool off the heat now that you’re pregnant. The question that will almost certainly arise if you find yourself in this circumstance, especially if it is your first time being pregnant, is; can pregnant women can ride water slides?
While going to a water park may seem like an obvious solution to cool down your body, there are a few things to keep in mind when visiting a water park while pregnant. Waterparks are a great way to spend time with your family. Water slides and wave pools aren’t just for kids; adults can enjoy them too. But the question remains, can pregnant women go on water slides?
While water slides appear to be less demanding on the body than water rides, pregnant women should avoid going down water slides, especially in the third trimester. You should keep in mind that the slide can be rough, and it’s also possible that someone will accidentally kick you in the stomach if the place is too crowded (which is always the case).
The majority of water parks contain signs prohibiting specific activities, such as slides, for pregnant women due to the inherent dangers of doing so. If you are pregnant, you don’t want to risk getting knocked around or falling off your slide tube, which is why they advise against water slide rides.
Placental abruption is one of the most common complications of bumps and knocks during pregnancy. Placentas begin to dislodge from the wall of the womb at this point. While it can cause major bleeding for you, it can also raise your chance of early birth or stillbirth. Therefore, avoiding activities that have the potential to knock you flat is always a good idea.
While sliding down water slides is a lot of fun and a fantastic way to cool off, it is not usually safe to do so while pregnant. Additionally, there are certain activities that pregnant women should avoid altogether or at the very least limit their participation in—to keep themselves and their unborn child as healthy as possible.
If you have questions about pregnant women and water parks, like Can pregnant women go on water slides” below, we provide answers to some of the most asked questions as regards that.
Table of Contents
Can Pregnant Women Go on Water Slides?
No, according to most medical experts. Water slides are wet and slippery, which raises the likelihood of tripping and sustaining an injury. We use our balance while sitting, something most people don’t realize. As a result, when you’re barreling down a water slide, you rely on your core to maintain your balance and keep you in the correct direction. Consider the scenario of going around a corner and landing on your tummy. In fact, it’s not an unusual occurrence.
You should keep in mind that your balance tends to decline as your pregnancy progresses. It is, therefore, better to avoid any activity or activities that need a great deal of balance while pregnant.
When it comes to water slides, sudden stops and starts are regarded as the most dangerous. In addition, any type of water landing, such as jumping, diving, or falling off a water slide, can be dangerous to a baby’s health.
Do not be alarmed if you went down a water slide before you found out you were pregnant. Pregnancy complications such as placental abruption are most common in women in their third trimester, near the end of their pregnancy. See your primary care physician (PCP) if you have any concerns or questions about anything about your pregnancy.
Why Can’t Pregnant Women Go on Water Slides?
Pregnant women can’t go on water slides because of the possibility of injury from the bumps on the slides, which can be harmful to the unborn baby.
Pregnant women are advised to avoid water slides, even if they appear to be harmless compared to rollercoasters and other large rides. Your unborn child’s health could be put in danger by the bumpy motions you experience when travelling at high speeds while going on water slides, a thing which could lead to miscarriage or other issues during pregnancy.
Should You Avoid Water Slides During Your Third Trimester of Pregnancy?
Yes. Going down a water slide should be avoided entirely during the third trimester of pregnancy. This is due to the increased risk of injury from the bumpy motions and abrupt immersion in the water, which can cause greater damage the closer you are to giving birth.
A pregnant woman’s safety is always a concern when it comes to water slides. Therefore, water slides are frequently marked with warning warnings advising that pregnant women should avoid them.
Additionally, due to the possibility of being hit in the stomach if someone comes down behind you on a water slide, it’s not recommended for pregnant women in their third trimester of pregnancy.
Risks of Going on Water Slides While Pregnant
If you’re pregnant, water slides can be dangerous to your growing fetus throughout any trimester because of the chance of quick or high-impact motions on your body. Going down water slides while pregnant comes with a number of risks, some of which are listed below.
- You run the risk of colliding with another person or being crashed into by someone else during the slide.
- Possibility of being kicked hard in the stomach
- Possibility of hitting your pregnant belly at any time during the slide
- Possibility of slipping and falling, which could pose a risk to your baby’s health
Also, there is a condition known as placental abruption, which occurs when the placenta prematurely breaks itself away from the uterus, and you may experience this because of the power of the impact caused by going down on water slides. When a pregnant woman’s pregnancy progresses, and the force of impact rises, she is at greater risk for this condition.
Should I Be Worried if I Fall While Riding Water Slide During Pregnancy?
Pregnant women who experience mild falls on water slides during their first trimester of pregnancy should contact their family doctor and describe the fall. A fall during the second or third trimester of pregnancy should also be looked into immediately by a doctor.
Other Water-related Activities to Avoid During Pregnancy
Pregnant women are advised not to engage in any of the following water-related activities.
Diving
If you dive into the water too hard while pregnant, it can be dangerous to your unborn baby. The sort of diving you do while pregnant can put you at risk for placental abruption, which is a condition in which the placenta separates prematurely from the wall of the uterus during pregnancy.
Hot-tubbing
Pregnant women should avoid using hot tubs or Jacuzzis. This is because prolonged exposure to hot water while pregnant has been shown to increase the risk of pregnancy problems and birth abnormalities. You’ll need to avoid hot tubs while you’re pregnant because they pose a threat to your unborn child.
Almost all hot tubs have a “do not use when pregnant” notice. These notices aren’t there to spoil your good time. Pregnant women have been shown to suffer from birth abnormalities due to excessive heat. In the event that you are missing the warmth of the hot tub, feel free to dip your feet in. However, do not remain submerged for too long or allow the water to come close to your pregnant belly.
Scuba diving
Pregnant women should avoid scuba diving, as it is extremely risky. Due to pressure fluctuations, gas bubbles can occur in your baby’s blood vessels as you emerge from the water. Even if you don’t show any signs of decompression sickness, your unborn kid may be affected.
Waterskiing
This is another Water-related activity that increases your risk of falling and raises the risk of abdominal injury. Placental abruption and premature labor might occur if you hit the water hard. So you should avoid waterskiing while pregnant.
Swimming in a Wave Pool
Even though they’re a lot of fun, wave pools aren’t recommended for women who are pregnant. If the pool is busy, you run the chance of someone bumping into you and knocking you over or crashing onto your pregnant belly.
Can You Swim While Pregnant?
Yes. Going on water slides isn’t recommended during pregnancy, but swimming is. There are places in the waterpark where you can still enjoy a peaceful swim while others are having fun on the water slides — just ensure you stay away from an area where a lot of people are crashing and slamming into each other.

The NHS recommends swimming during pregnancy 1 because the water can support your weight as you get heavier. Pregnant women might also benefit from pregnancy-specific sessions such as prenatal aqua-natal programs taught by certified instructors.
Even though the NHS recommends swimming, it is also advised that you should not just pick it up as it can be strenuous for you if you are sedentary before becoming pregnant.
When beginning an aerobic exercise program, such as swimming, and you haven’t been active previously, it is recommended that you inform the instructor of your pregnancy.
Takeaway
Before wondering if you can go on water slides as a pregnant woman, I want you to know that pregnancy and water slides are a risky duo, despite how much fun you’re hoping to have. Instead of taking a chance, spend the day doing something less risky.
When it comes to water slides and pregnancy, be extra cautious and avoid any activities that are not suggested while pregnant. Keep in mind that the health of your unborn is of the utmost importance. As much as giving up your favorite activities, like riding a bike or visiting a water park, may be difficult while you’re pregnant, you will have plenty of time to resume them following the birth of your little one.
Because every pregnancy is unique, it is best to check your family doctor before going on water slides or even doing any activity you are unsure of the risks it poses while pregnant.
Verifiable References- NHS – Exercise in pregnancy[↩]