Can You Skydive While Pregnant?

Welcoming a new, little life into the world is an exciting journey. For some – the thrill-seekers among us – the question arises, Can you skydive pregnant? Is it possible for the exhilaration of freefall to co-exist with the anticipation of new life? 

This article will dive into the medical considerations for mamas-to-be while skydiving, and the paramount importance of ensuring safety for both mom and baby. 

Is It OK To Jump During Pregnancy? 

To answer plainly: no. It is not advisable to jump from an airplane with a baby on board. Okay, okay … but can you go skydiving while pregnant? Well … this answer can vary. 

If you are a first-time tandem jumper, it is prohibited to skydive while pregnant. Why? There is a huge increase in risk and liability. Although the skydiving industry has seen an exponential increase in safety precautions over the last several decades, there is still inherent risk associated with our sport. 

While pregnant, your body releases relaxin and progesterone in preparation for your growing bump. These hormones loosen the joints and ligaments and reduce musculoskeletal cohesion, meaning that you’re more prone to injury while pregnant. 

Some women also suffer from morning sickness, or even all-the-time sickness, making some usually no-big-deal aspects of skydiving, like the plane ride, freefall, and canopy flight, feel a bit iffy. 

If you’re thinking, but I’m not a tandem skydiver, I’m already licensed … can I go skydiving? Let’s get into it. 

Can I Jump While Pregnant First Trimester? 

We are not doctors, and therefore, we strongly suggest consulting with your practitioner prior to committing to take the leap while expecting. 

Although generally inadvisable, it is possible to skydive while pregnant as an experienced jumper. Let’s take a look at three primary points to consider prior to committing to the jump. 

1. Currency. 

How often do you jump? Are you a “one hop ’n pop per month” girly, or an, “I must jump 10 times on Saturday,” type of skydiver? Currency allows skydivers to stay sharp on their skills, helping to make them smarter, safer jumpers. We encourage you to be extremely current if considering jumping while expecting. 

2. Jump Numbers. 

Do you have 50 skydives or 5,000? Jump numbers typically correlate to experience in and dedication to the sport. Having a larger wealth of knowledge will allow jumpers to be more adaptable and increases their decision-making abilities. 

3. Wing-loading. 

Along with wing-loading (which indicates how much the jumper weighs in relation to the size of their parachute), it is critical to consider recency on the canopy. What is your wing-loading? Are you a solid 1:1, or are you a bit more frisky with something like a 2.1:1? And, did you recently downsize? How many jumps have you put on your current wing? 

• Jumpers with a higher wing-loading may consider an up-size to counteract increased risk. Although this can have benefits, there are associated risks, such as recency on that wing! Although more fabric over your head is generally the “safer” thing to do, a new wing is still a new wing, and there will still be a learning curve. 

If a licensed skydiver voluntarily decides to skydive while expecting a baby, it is strongly suggested to do so during the first trimester. 

How Long Can You Skydive While Pregnant? 

According to Laura Galdamez, (an M.D. and skydiver!), many doctors suggest stopping any “high-intensity” activity, such as skydiving, at 20 weeks. Why? The protective measures that the body gives to the baby dissipate over time, as the baby grows in size. 

Is skydiving really that intense? It can be. Pregnant licensed skydivers who wish to jump should consider every possibility, such as a snippy opening of the canopy or a hard landing. Although the majority of skydives go off without a hitch, a hard opening (where the shock of exiting freefall and entering canopy flight is more aggressive than normal) or taking a tumble while landing are always possible. 

Can You Skydive After Having A Baby? 

Of course! Once your extra passenger has arrived earth-side, we are happy to have you come and take your first jump! 

Every pregnancy and healing journey is different. When you decide to return to the dropzone, remember to take it easy on yourself – you just did one of the coolest things a person could ever do!! If you are healing up from a Cesarean section, more time is typically needed to recover. 

Obviously, as with any activity, we recommend getting the go-ahead from your doc prior to booking your jump. 

• What conditions can you not skydive with? The skydiving community aims to be as inclusive as possible while still placing safety front and center. The severity of medical conditions vary between individuals, but it is advised that skydiving participants seek the “okay” from their doctor if they have any heart-related issues or previous spine, neck, or shoulder injuries. 

Can You Go Indoor Skydiving While Pregnant? 

Can you go indoor skydiving with a bun in the oven? Nope! iFly, the largest vertical wind-tunnel franchiser in the world, prohibits pregnant people from flying. 

The largest risks associated with indoor skydiving are bumps and bruises from swiftly knocking into the glass walls of the wind column. 

The exhilaration of freefall has to yield to the joy experienced in expecting new life. But fear not, fulfilling your blue-skied dreams is still possible – and your little bundle of joy can be waiting for you earthside, making you the COOLEST MOM EVER. Ready? Book your jump in paradise!