“The fact that I’m three months pregnant doesn’t change anything.”
– Catherine Destiville, preparing to solo the Old Man of Hoy seastack.
You can only do a few things after you become pregnant, and you cannot start a sport that you didn’t enjoy before. You can still rock climb if your pregnancy is not in danger if your previous rock climbing experience was safe.
You should consult your OB before you start any kind of exercise or sport while you’re pregnant. This will ensure that you and your baby are safe. You don’t want to put your baby at unnecessary risk. Every pregnancy and woman is different. As many women, I was still able to rock climb, run, play golf, and enjoy other sports during my pregnancies.
Here are some tips for rock-climbing during pregnancy (if your doctor says it is ok):
Climb top rope only– You don’t want to risk taking falls at lead. Your body will experience minimal stress and the majority of that is in your butt.
Stop if something hurts- A good general rule of pregnancy is to stop any activity if you feel pain. Ask your doctor before continuing.
Full body harness- A full body harness is recommended as it will give you the most support and will be the most comfortable. You should get out of your harness as soon as it begins to pinch or feels uncomfortable.
Relaxin will loosen you up- Keep in mind that the hormone relaxin will cause your tendons and ligaments to loosen and prepare for delivery. You are more likely to be injured the closer you get your due date. This looseness may be more noticeable in subsequent pregnancies.
Balance and strength are affected- In pregnancy, your balance will be affected and your center of gravity will shift. Pregnancy may also affect strength, so remember this while you climb. There may be adjustments that are necessary.
Never climb alone- While it is recommended that you never climb alone anyway, this is especially true when you are pregnant. There would not be anyone else to assist you if you were in any kind of danger or fell.
Alison Osius, an editor at Climbing magazine climbed into the eight month of each of her pregnancies. Two healthy, 8-pound children were born to her. There is good possibility that your pregnancy won’t be too difficult if you have the right equipment.
Indoor climbing is a great option, particularly if your area has extreme weather. You will also have the benefit of a climate-controlled gym. Your growing baby, along with your growing bladder, will push on your bladder and make it more frequent. For those unfortunate events, the gym offers a safer environment. You will always have someone to call for help.
With your doctor’s approval, rock climbing can be an excellent way to keep in shape and release stress while waiting for your baby.