Jumping on Trampoline While Pregnant: Can it Induce Labor?
If we would start counting how many visits to the ER there are all over the world, we’d learn that around one-third of those visits are injury-related. We can’t say how many of those injuries come from trampolining, though. However, there are plenty of doctors saying that jumping on a trampoline is extremely hazardous. Well, think about it — you’re jumping high and a split second can decide whether you’ll land correctly or not. For some, that’s just too big of a risk! That’s why some people try to stay away from trampolining at all cost.
But, not everyone is the same. And, not everyone feels the same about trampolining. In fact, some people can’t wait to begin with their fun jumping sessions. And they can’t be kept away from their trampolines. Well, while that might not sound that strange, think about this — What if a pregnant lady wants to try jumping on a trampoline during the pregnancy? You’ve got to admit that this is a tough one!
So, if you’ve been having doubts about whether trampolining while pregnant is good or not, just keep on reading! We’ll tackle this topic and shed light on every single detail.
Jumping on Trampoline While Pregnant 101
Is it Safe to Jump on a Trampoline While Pregnant?
While trampolining might have been your favorite way of breaking a sweat and doing a solid cardio before, you must know that during pregnancy, it can’t stay the same.
However, what we want to say is that you don’t have to say goodbye to your favorite leisure activity. In fact, you can keep jumping but you just shouldn’t go too hard at it. Remember, during the pregnancy, you need to modify some of your habits and you have to adjust to the condition of creating another human being. You must understand the complexity of that process. And, let’s just remind ourselves that pregnancy won’t last forever. After the pregnancy, you can slowly go back to your usual exercises which include the trampoline.
Still, there’s some room left for trampolining during those complex nine months. You just need to be mindful and careful while you’re at it.
Naturally, some pregnant ladies are concerned about the motion caused by jumping influencing the baby. However, all the bouncing and rocking in their uterus won’t have much impact on the baby. In fact, chances are that the baby is quite content and safe with that motion. What’s more, there are some babies that will even enjoy the rhythm.
But, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Don’t go ballistic on your trampoline! Pace yourself and stay moderate with the movements. Keep it slow and controlled.
Can Jumping on a Trampoline Cause a Miscarriage?
First of all, we recommend talking to your OB before going anywhere near your trampoline. If they tell you that you can go ahead and jump, you should go ahead and jump! But, there are certain safety precautions to take in order to reduce the risk of injuries.
Jumping on a trampoline while pregnant isn’t likely to lead to a miscarriage. However, you need to mindful about what point in your pregnancy you’re at. If you’re days away from the labor, please, try to avoid the trampoline. But if labor day is nowhere near, you can go ahead and enjoy your trampoline.
Be careful not to jump in a crowd. The lesser the risk will be that you bump into someone else and fall down. However, that doesn’t mean that you should be jumping by yourself. In fact, it would be a good idea to have someone near you just in case you end up needing help.
Also, you should consider putting a safety net around your trampoline. A safety net won’t necessarily stop the fall but it will definitely cushion you. In addition to that, we’d recommend covering all the springs, frames and hooks with a safety pad, too.
In case you injure yourself…
If you end up falling and hurting yourself, call 911 right away. In case you experience chest pain, dizziness, cramps or pain in your stomach, you should seek medical attention immediately. Some of the more serious symptoms would include swelling of your face, feet, and hands. On top of that, vaginal bleeding or amniotic fluid leakage are definite signs of serious injury and require immediate reaction.
Trampoline During the Early Pregnancy - 5 Weeks
The first trimester as a whole won’t alter your weight or physical composition significantly. However, that doesn’t mean that the first weeks aren’t as important as the rest of the pregnancy. Actually, the first weeks are crucial for the development of the fetus. That’s why we would definitely recommend consulting your obstetrician whether you should use your trampoline.
The real hazard is that jumping on an uneven surface might cause you to lose balance and fall. And, falling down is definitely not something you want to experience while pregnant.
Trampoline During the Late Pregnancy - 37 Weeks
Moving on to the later days in your pregnancy. Now, during the second an third trimester, you will definitely gain some weight. Gaining weight will cause shifting your posture. And, as a result, you’ll experience some changes in your coordination and balance, which might make your jumps rather risky.
As a matter of fact, when you gain weight in your midsection, your center of gravity will change significantly. That will make your body land differently and cause your weight distribution to change while on a trampoline.
During the pregnancy, the late months especially, you should stay away from making jerky movements, sudden changes in direction, intense jumping and wearing your body out.
What’s more, in the second and third trimesters, your body releases a hormone that will loosen up your joints. In addition to that, this hormone also causes your pelvis to relax in order to prepare your body for childbirth. This hormone will make you more likely to injure yourself, as it reduces your balance and coordination, which are crucial for jumping on a trampoline.
Therefore, trampoline at 9 months pregnant would be a no-go.
Trampoline After Pregnancy
After you have your baby, the first thing you’ll want to do is find a way to get rid of those extra pounds. And we do understand that, however, don’t go rushing back to your trampoline. In fact, if you start feeling some heaviness down low when you’re walking or jumping, you should really take it slow. Your pelvic floor might be over-sensitive and you should stay away from the trampoline for a couple of months post-partum. And, in that case, we’d recommend doing some simple reconditioning exercises that will help you get back in shape.
The most important thing is to pay attention not to injure yourself. After giving birth to a baby, your body will be sensitive, tired and really fragile. So, don’t rush it and let your body heal properly before jumping back (literally) to your normal exercising routine.
Pregnant Trampoline Workout
If you wish to do a trampoline workout while pregnant, we’ve got a real treat for you!
You can start by warming up your body with some basic control jumps. Once you feel your body warming up, you can shift to some slow jogging. Keep the light jogging motion for as long as you can and then shift to some slow and controlled jumping jacks.
Finally, you can repeat this circuit as many times as you can. Remember, as long as it feels good, you’re going to be alright. Please, jump with control and try not to lose your balance.
Does Jumping on a Trampoline Help Induce Labor?
We’re all about letting you enjoy what you love but, sometimes, we must set some things straight. If you’re trying to induce labor, don’t do it by trampolining. As we’ve mentioned earlier, being really far into your pregnancy will make your ligaments loose and your whole body more relaxed. That means that your body will be more injury-prone in those weeks. As a result, we’d definitely recommend staying away from your trampoline.
The idea of inducing labor by jumping around is not a good one and you should find an alternative. The idea is to keep you safe and sound all the way during your pregnancy.
How Many Jumping Jacks to Induce Labor?
Finally, we’ve wanted to address a common question we get. As a matter of fact, expectant ladies frequently ask how many jumping jacks will induce labor. However, heavy jumping and intense and sudden movements shouldn’t be used as tools for labor induction.
Although these exercises are more than welcome and beneficial to your routine workout plan, during pregnancy, you should definitely avoid them.
Final Thoughts
Alright, ladies! There you have it! We’ve shared almost everything there is to know about jumping on a trampoline while pregnant. We could say absolutely everything but that wouldn’t be right. The only thing left to know before starting your jumping session is what your OB will tell you. Once you have a trampoline-talk with your obstetrician and they give you the O.K. you’re looking for, you’re good to go!
Remember to stay safe and in control! Enjoy trampolining!
