Martial arts

[Kravgirl]

Hello. I wondered if anyone out there does a contact sport like a martial art or self defence system where you make physical contact either holding focus pads, kick pads, light contact with groin (wearing a guard of course) and sparring. This is my first pregnancy and I don't know anyone in this field who has been pregnant as most the people I train with are men! What's safe? Can I keep training for a while? Has anyone has any experience in this field? I haven't even seen a professional yet...! Thank you ladies

No experience, but I personally wouldn't, I would want to risk a blow to the abdomen.

I did martial arts before becoming pregnant. Though I stopped a while ago, I know the insurance doesn't cover you for being pregnant - and for good reason.

I honestly wouldn't continue as it's not recommended for the same reason trampolining and riding roller coasters is not recommended - the vigorous movement can cause the placenta to separate from the uterine wall, which can cause a small bleed or a miscarriage in early pregnancy and premature labour in later pregnancy. Either way, I'd avoid it from now on as the risk to the baby (and to you for heamorrhage) is too high.

I asked the same question on MN when I got pregnant!

Someone did say she'd carried on til 7 months, just avoiding sparring and her sensei gave her different things to do, however I found I couldn't.

In the 2ww I was so conscious of the fact I might be pregnant I just couldnt relax and hated it. (I also trained with mainly men - I was the only female black belt)

I got my BFP and stopped...and a week later started throwing up so couldn't have gone anyway (sickness lasted the whole pregnancy).

I don't regret stopping as i never felt physically well enough to go back and I would have blamed myself if something had happened to the baby.

There aren't known cases of martial arts causing early miscarriage (says the woman who has had CBT due to obsessive reading up on the topic) BUT as soon as you're pregnant your muscles soften and YOU can be injured far, far more easily. If it were to the groin or trunk it could make things harder later on either with mobility or birth.
Trampolining and roller coasters don't cause early miscarriage either (talking credible sources such as imperial R MC here, not google). Trampolining and gymnastics can cause muscle separation and fainting though.
Also your gym is highly unlikely to be insured for pregnant sparring.

It's not that it will cause a miscarriage, that is worst case scenario of placental abruption, which has occurred from falling down the stairs and being in car accidents.

It's not the worst thing that could happen and it's not always the worst case that will happen but why risk it when unborn babies are delicate for so long.

Kravgirl, speak to your midwife when you get a chance. My midwife explained this all to me, when we had a car accident. And good luck with the rest of your pregnancy!

1st trimester everything is within the pelvis. Furthermore the placenta isnt fukly formed yet. It is much later that abruption becomes the risk.
The "why take the risk" argument when used inaccurately really raises anxiety and leads to people interfering and creating rules about other women's bodies. It can also create horrible psychological issues if a pregnancy is lost (for some other reason).

I play Ice Hockey as often as possible including games which is a contact sport obviously. My doctor told me to avoid all contact sports.

I went Ice skating during my last 4 PGs which was way to get my "fix" but DH has put his foot down and won't let me :( Dammit.