Can I Ride Roller Coasters While Pregnant?

Roller coasters pose risks for pregnant people and their babies. Learn why experts say you should avoid roller coasters until after your baby arrives.

Medically reviewed by Alyssa Dweck, MS, MD, FACOGMedically reviewed by Alyssa Dweck, MS, MD, FACOG

Spending the day at the amusement park is a fun way to make family memories. Between the rides, the snacks, and the games, children are guaranteed to be spent—in a good way—by the time you climb into the car to head home. But can you ride roller coasters while pregnant?

The short answer is no, you shouldn't ride most roller coasters while pregnant. While you might usually enjoy going upside down and experiencing the stomach-leaving-your-body feeling of a big drop, it's best to stand on the sidelines when you're pregnant. Learn why experts don’t recommend riding roller coasters during pregnancy and what you can do instead.

Why You Shouldn't Ride Roller Coasters While Pregnant

While it may be an activity you enjoyed in the past, the swoops, drops, and twists of a roller coaster are not safe for a pregnant person or a fetus. “I do not recommend roller coaster rides or any activities that include forceful stop-and-go motions,” says Salome Masghati, MD, FACOG, an OB-GYN based in Maryland. Additionally, most amusement parks will have signage suggesting pregnant people avoid roller coasters.

Risks for the fetus

While someone who is pregnant may think they can handle the pulse-pumping thrills of a roller coaster, they should abstain because of the risks it poses for the baby. Specifically, there is the risk of placental abruption, which depending on the severity, can cause vaginal bleeding and increases the risk of stillbirth, especially if the abruption occurs before viability.

“The jerky movements and strong G forces (sudden, fast acceleration) make the roller coaster potentially dangerous. The placenta could pull away [from the wall of the uterus], which is called an abruption,” explains OB-GYN Kimberly Langdon, MD, who has nearly 20 years of clinical experience. When this happens, the fetus is deprived of oxygen and all the necessary nourishment it receives through the placenta.

“Basically, any jarring force can cause placental abruption,” says Dr. Masghati. Whether you’re considering a coaster with long abrupt drops, sharp jerky turns, or corkscrews that send riders upside down, all the forces at play could be potentially dangerous.

Related: 22 Healthy Pregnancy Tips for the Whole 9 Months

Risks for the pregnant person

On top of the risk to the fetus, the pregnant person may experience symptoms like vaginal bleeding, severe abdominal pain or tenderness, or tetanic contractions, which are essentially extreme contractions that last longer than 90 seconds and can cause fetal distress.

“Any ride that causes balance disturbances should be avoided as well,” notes Dr. Langdon. “Your equilibrium is off in pregnancy." Rides with loops or spins that leave you feeling off-balance when you exit the car will increase your risk of tripping or falling and causing injury to your baby.

Amusement Park Rides To Avoid During Pregnancy

In addition to roller coasters, pregnant people should also steer clear of pendulum rides, free-fall rides, swing rides, spinning rides (including the teacups), bumper cars, and water slides. “Water slides harbor the risk of a direct splash of water against the belly,” says Dr. Masghati, which can be as forceful and as potentially dangerous during the third trimester as getting hit in the stomach.

The risks associated with a hard fall are less of a concern during the first trimester, when the uterine wall is thick and the bones of the pelvis are providing protection, and in the second trimester, when the high volume of amniotic fluid is protecting the fetus. Though some sources suggest that roller coasters during the first trimester could be safe, this remains ill advised, as there is still potential for injury.

However, during the third trimester, once the uterus is extended well past the pelvis, the walls are thinner and there is less fluid around the fetus and the potential for injury to the fetus significantly increases.

Additionally, simply standing in line for a popular ride surrounded by children, teens, and adults jostling to get onto the next ride poses a risk of your belly being bumped or someone hitting or elbowing you in the stomach. “Being in large crowds increases the risk of direct trauma to the belly,” Dr. Masghati notes.

When Can I Resume Riding Roller Coasters?

As soon as you have delivered your baby, the possibility of placental abruption is gone, eliminating the primary risk of riding roller coasters while pregnant. That said, giving birth, whether vaginally or via cesarean section (C-section), is traumatic for the body, and you will need time to recover.

You can view riding roller coasters the same way you would exercise after giving birth. If you had a spontaneous, uncomplicated vaginal delivery and you feel ready, you may be cleared to begin exercising again within a few days. But if you have a C-section or any complications, it’s best to hold off on exercise or rollercoaster-like rides until you get the all-clear from a health care provider.

Pregnancy-Safe Amusement Park Rides

The good news is that being pregnant doesn’t mean the only thing you can do at the amusement park is watch. There are a few rides that get the all-clear from health care providers.

“Rides that can be safe are those where there is no excessive spinning or drop from a height,” notes Dr. Masghati. “A slow spinning carousel ride can be deemed safe, or railroad rides or rides that don't involve sudden drops in height.”

Tip

Stick to rides that move at slow, consistent speeds and don’t generate any G force or send your body jerking back and forth. As always, confirm with a health care provider what rides are safe and which to avoid before heading out to the amusement park during your pregnancy.

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