Sport Climbing During Pregnancy

Abstract

Women with uncomplicated pregnancies should continue their aerobic and strength-conditioning exercises during and after pregnancy, albeit with some modification. The risk of trauma is very low in sports climbing compared to other sports (e.g., contact sports). This paper presents those risks and how they can be modified. Though data specifically on pregnant climbers is sparse, most pregnant climbers already instinctively adopt the recommendations presented in this paper. Safe climbing during pregnancy includes selecting your routes carefully, avoiding climbing roofs and overhangs, not pushing your climbing grade, and considering switching to a whole body harness in the third trimester.