Can You Snorkel While Pregnant – Tips & What to Avoid

8. Can You Snorkel While Pregnant1
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While expecting, you can go snorkeling. There are a few things to know and some advice to keep in mind. Let me tell you everything there is to know about them.

Can I Snorkel While Pregnant?

You can snorkel while pregnant, to put it briefly. Your body shouldn’t be under any additional strain because, unlike scuba diving, you aren’t breathing any gasses or going below the surface. Snorkeling is actually the complete opposite! It can be a wonderful pastime to take part in while you’re pregnant. Here are a few reasons why:

  • It is an excellent way to maintain your fitness while expecting, which is crucial for the wellbeing of both you and your unborn child!
  • It is a soothing endeavor. While exercising while pregnant, it’s important to maintain your composure and avoid overdoing it, both of which are simple to do while snorkeling.
  • Your body feels less strain as a result. Because the buoyancy of the water relieves pressure from the muscles straining to support your growing pregnant belly, floating in it can be incredibly relaxing while you’re pregnant.
  • It is simple to get to. A mask, snorkel, and set of fins are all you need to snorkel; fortunately, there are many wonderful places to snorkel off the coast of Kauai.

How to Snorkel While Pregnant

If you’ve read this far, there’s a good chance you’ll go on a relaxing snorkeling vacation. We’re ecstatic for you! However, there are a lot of advice we’d like to offer to make your snorkeling trip while pregnant the best it can be. And, off course, always keeping “baby first” in mind.

Don’t Hold Your Breath

It can be a huge advantage if you’re accustomed to breathing through a snorkel, depending on your snorkeling abilities and experience. Please refrain from snorkeling if you aren’t familiar with the equipment or take a lesson before entering the water. Never hold your breath while pregnant! As it requires constant oxygen, this could be harmful to your child. You can read more about the dangers of low oxygen levels during pregnancy here.

However, did you know that one of the safest activities for pregnant women is swimming? Unless your doctor advises you otherwise, it is one of the exercises a pregnant woman can continue up until the day of giving birth. Read all pertinent details on this website about the advantages of swimming during pregnancy.

I’d advise against using full face snorkel masks while pregnant because of the ongoing controversy surrounding them. CO2 build-up is a concern with some of them.

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Don’t Overheat

Booking a trip to a warm, coconut-growing island with the most beautiful beaches is so alluring. Yes, I agree; I also like that. What’s not to like about the reefs in Key West, the stunning beaches in Key Largo, the white sand in adorably Hanauma Bay, the pretty islands of Punta Cana, and the fascinating nature of Kauai, for example. The weather will typically be sunny, warm, and occasionally even hot.

The water will cool your skin as you are out in the ocean looking at the marine life. The temperature of your skin does not, however, represent the temperature of your entire body. The temperature inside of you might be much higher than you realize. If you snorkel in the rain, that could give a “cooling down” sensation as well.

The core body temperature of a pregnant woman is a little higher than normal. According to this article, body temperatures may be around 100°F as a result of the increased blood flow. However, there is a chance of neural tube defects, miscarriage, or dehydration in the mother if body temperatures rise to 102°F for longer than 10 minutes. This website, which covers all pregnancy safety precautions, has more information on the subject.

Drink Water

In addition to being necessary for hydration, water also helps to control body temperature. Like we mentioned in our snorkeling guide for kids, pregnant women should also drink plenty of water. What volume of water is ideal then? For the best answer, consult your doctor. This website informed us that an ideal daily water intake would be between 8 and 10 glasses. However, find out from your doctor if this dosage is the same on a sunny holiday.

Stay in the Shadow

You fly all the way to that snorkel paradise in the tropics, and what do you do? Not quite what you expected, so sit in the shadow. If I may say so, the shadow is what I personally find to be the most appealing. It doesn’t alter my perspective, and it certainly doesn’t alter my mood. When it’s too hot outside, I don’t find it very enjoyable to sit in the sun. Maybe if you weren’t pregnant you would have also looked for a shadow?

Take a Break

One thing you can do when snorkeling is to take frequent breaks. Cut your snorkeling time in half and locate a place to cool off. Although you might feel cold near the ocean, that is only a feeling, as I already said. You might be much hotter inside. So be careful not to spend too much time in the warm ocean.

Use Mineral Suscreen

Women’s Health Magazine advises pregnant women to use mineral sunscreen whenever they are outside. If you’re interested, you can read the entire article here. Choose a sunscreen that contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. For those with sensitive skin, CeraVe 100% Mineral Sunscreen (Amazon link) would be a fantastic choice.

Avoid Injuries

Although it might seem obvious, this needs to be taken seriously. Some advice might be useful.

Enter the Water from a Sandy Location If Possible

Always exercise caution when you are near water. The presence of smaller or translucent objects may coexist with larger or more obvious underwater objects like large rocks. Use a sandy beach if you can if you want to go snorkeling. Take small, genie steps and exercise caution. Be careful because there could be a piece of glass anywhere.

Wear Water Shoes

I think they’re worth the investment, even though a good pair will run you about $25. Invest in a pair with a rubber sole for added protection.

Tips for Snorkeling While Pregnant

In general, it’s safe to go snorkeling while expecting. It is a great way to enjoy Kauai’s beauty while staying active. Here are some suggestions for getting the most out of your pregnancy-friendly snorkeling trip to Kauai. Think of them as the Do’s and Don’ts of snorkeling…

  • Avoid overdoing it; while maintaining health during pregnancy is important for expectant mothers, you should be careful not to overdo it. As with any physical activity, remember to stay hydrated, take frequent breaks, and be aware of your own limitations.
  • Don’t free dive or hold your breath for too long. During pregnancy, you and your unborn child need plenty of oxygen, so avoid free diving or holding your breath for too long.
  • Before engaging in physical activity while pregnant, always consult a doctor.
  • Try a Kauai boat tour with a pro if you are unfamiliar with the area. Take a snorkeling tour. You can be sure that these excursions are within your level of expertise and that you will visit some of Kauai’s top snorkeling locations.
  • When playing on the Hawaiian beaches, be sure to protect your skin from the sun. Wear an additional layer of protection or use eco-friendly sunscreen if you’re pregnant because they may be more sensitive to sun exposure.

Snorkeling and Pregnancy Trimesters

The time has come to comprehend the specifics after consulting with your doctor and, let’s say, receiving the all-clear.

Moms-to-be will already be aware of the three trimester division of their pregnancy. In order to explain snorkel tips down to a T, the trimester could play an important role. The duration of each trimester is as follows: the first one runs from week one until the end of week twelve, the second one from week thirteen until the end of week twenty-six, and the third one from week twenty-seven until the end.

A mother frequently feels exhausted during the first trimester. It’s also the stage of a baby’s development that matters the most. During the second trimester, this fatigue frequently gets better or even goes away entirely. Sadly, women often feel exhausted again, get out of breath easily, and occasionally have trouble sleeping during the third trimester.

In other words, just looking at it from a trimester perspective, you could say that going on a snorkeling trip would be most appealing in the second trimester. Of course, if your doctor permits it, you are also free to go snorkeling during the first and third trimesters. Just be aware that you might tire out quickly.

Should Pregnant Women Go on a Plane?

Depending on where you want to go, you should also consider whether you can board a plane.

Typically, after 36 weeks of pregnancy, flying is not advised. Consult your doctor before proceeding. Except in rare circumstances where your doctor approves, many airlines don’t let pregnant passengers board after 35 weeks. Even an early labor could occur if you board an airplane in the final six weeks of your pregnancy. To put it another way, avoid flying after 36 weeks.

Therefore, try to go snorkeling within the first 36 weeks of pregnancy if you intend to travel to a far-off location or any location that will require an airplane to get you there. Between week 13 and week 36 would be ideal for traveling by plane, especially given that the first trimester can be exhausting and cause morning sickness.

Conclusion

Can you go snorkeling while pregnant? Of course, every expecting mother wants to protect her unborn child, but that doesn’t mean you can’t also enjoy yourself while you’re expecting.

Pregnant women should enjoy snorkeling because it allows them to relax in the water, take in the marine life, and engage in beneficial water exercises for both themselves and their unborn child.

But as you can see, there are a lot of factors to think about before visiting Maui or another far-off place.

You probably noticed as you read through this list of advice how easy these steps are to follow while still being very effective at keeping you and your infant safe.

FAQs

Can You Go on a Boat When Pregnant?

While boat rides can be a relaxing and engaging activity during pregnancy, it is safe only during the initial stages. If your due date is getting closer, it would be best to stay away from boat rides. You never know when the labor pains will start, forcing you to head straight for the hospital.

How Deep Can You Dive While Pregnant?

If you insist on diving while expecting, Navy dive table times advise sticking to a maximum depth of 60 feet.

Can you hold your breath underwater while pregnant

Holding your breath is really not a good idea because your baby needs an ongoing supply of oxygen.

Can You Swim in the Ocean While Pregnant?

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, swimming is one of the safest forms of exercise during pregnancy. (However, it’s important to note that activities like water skiing, diving, and scuba diving are not recommended because they put pregnant women at a higher risk of harm.)

Can You Swim With Dolphins While Pregnant?

No, pregnant guests are not allowed to enter the water with the dolphins.

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