Is there a time (i.e. earlier than 3 months) that it is relatively
safe for pregnant women to ride rollercoasters? Please provide
data/reasons to support answer.

Good Day mhm04649,


Due to the "overall lack of historical data", no one is making any
hard claims on the subject of roller coasters, who should not use them
and when.

There have been short term studies done and they concluded "that there
is a health risk to some people, but those people are already warned
against riding roller coasters...".*

*Source: WASHINGTON (Reuters Health)
URL: http://www.baylorhealth.com/HealthNews/reuters/NewsStory0225200316.htm

The article goes on to say that "roller coasters pose the greatest
risk to people with heart conditions, epilepsy or prior head, neck or
back injuries; those who have had bone surgery in the past; and
pregnant women".

The issue at heart is the fast speed, G-Forces exerted, and the
"whiplash" effect from sudden turns or acceleration/deceleration.

Below are attached articles (with excerpts where possible) on the
subject of pregnant women riding roller coasters. From my reading I
have found that most amusement parks already post signs advising
against pregnant women riding the coasters. If a woman is visibly
pregnant, chances are she won't even be allowed on the ride.

It is my opinion that until a very conclusive study has been done with
a lot of historical data to back it up, pregnant women are at best to
stay away from such rides regardless of the stage of pregnancy. This
conclusion is based mainly on the articles I am attaching.

Site: TechTV
Title: The Tech Of Roller Coasters
URL: http://www.techtv.com/thetechof/story/0,24330,3375112,00.html
Excerpt: "Roller coasters throughout the world post signs forbidding
pregnant women and young children from riding them. But at the rapid
rate coasters are progressing, it's a wonder there aren't more
categories on that list. Perhaps some rides, many of which you can see
on the latest episode of "The Tech Of: Roller Coasters," should be
accompanied by signs that read, "Do not ride this coaster if you're
afraid of harrowing heights, death-defying drops, stomach-churning
twists, or mind-numbing loops."

Site: Mon's View Message Forum
Title: Amusement park ride
http://www.momsview.com/discus/messages/41/13067.html

Site: BabyMed
Title: Roller coaster Ride
URL: http://www.babymed.com/docs/english/745.asp

Search strategy: Google search for "roller coaster"+"pregnant"

If you require any more information, please ask for a clarification
before rating my answer.

Thank you for your question.


Regards,
slawek-ga

I was looking for some scientific reasons, but I guess that no studies
about pregnant women riding amusement park rides have been made.  I
also guess that this makes since, since nobody in their right mind
would volunteer.

http://www.drspock.com/faq/0,1511,7277,00.html
might be interesting...but it's not very detailed not does it give details.

Hi there -

I took a look in some nursing (CINAHL) and other health databases, and
found the following article that you might find useful.  It talks
mainly about third trimester roller coaster riding, and compares it to
car accidents.  I've included an excerpt from the article, which is
only a few pages long.

Pregnancy and Amusement Park Rides ,  By: Kuper, Debra, International
Journal of Childbirth Education, 08878625, Winter92, Vol. 7, Issue 4,
pp. 12-14

"Rapid acceleration and deceleration, prolonged multi-gravitational
(g) force and high speed rides are all common thrills in the amusement
park, exerting inertial forces of mass versus momentum. These forces
exerted on the pregnant rider may result in rupture of membranes,
abruptio placenta with immediate or delayed symptom presentation, vena
caval occlusion and fetal maternal haemorrhage (Buchsbaum, 1968;
Crosby et al, 1971; Crosby et al, 1968, Crosby, 1974; Mengert et al,
1953).

"Extensive studies of motor vehicle accidents during pregnancy have
found that violent motion of the uterus may cause injury, even in the
absence of an abdominal blow or any soft tissue injury to the mother
(Crosby and Costiloe, 1971; Crosby, et al 1968; Crosby 1974;
Pritchard, 1970). Animal studies have shown that during rapid
deceleration, the pregnant rider's body flexes forward and abdominal
organ compression elevates the intrauterine pressure and distorts the
uterine size and shape (Crosby and Costiloe 1971). In one report the
maximum pressure recorded was ten times that observed in labour
(Crosby, Synder, Snow et al 1968)."

- librariankt