THE MOUNTAINS HYDRATION
tour was amazing and I didn’t feel that the pregnancy impacted my experience at all (although we did take it pretty steady). One major consideration before embarking on the tour was the effect of exercising at altitude. Most scientific research into the effects of altitude on pregnant women has studied long- term high-altitude residents or women travelling to moderate altitudes (1,800-2,300m) for just a few hours at a time. Nevertheless, such studies have ascertained that pregnant women are no more likely to suffer Acute Mountain Sickness than their non-pregnant counterparts. Instead, the main concern is competition for blood supply between active muscles and the placenta, increasing the risk of foetal hypoxia and preterm labour but this has not been tested in research. A new study, published earlier this year, is the first to survey pregnant women hiking, running and swimming over 2,440m. This study found that rates of miscarriage and other complications were similar between pregnancies with and without high-altitude activity. All survey respondents were healthy and active, however. In general, women are advised to seek medical advice if they have any complications or if the pregnancy is considered to be high- risk. The UIAA (the international climbing and mountaineering federation) Medical Commission advises that altitude exposure in the first half of pregnancy is low but recommends that “women who experience difficulties with becoming pregnant or who are at higher risk of spontaneous abortion should avoid high altitude”. In the second half of pregnancy, the UIAA reports a “potential high risk”, depending on several factors. Even without exercising, weeks or months above 2,500m is linked to higher incidence of pregnancy complications, such as hypertension, preeclampsia and low birth weight. For this reason, the UIAA recommends pregnant women take time to fully acclimatise before undertaking any exercise above 2,500m.
“I BELIEVE THAT WE BOTH THRIVED ON ME STAYING FI T AND ACTIVE.”
From hill walking to alpine mountaineering, the most
important considerations for any pregnant woman heading to the mountains are personal fitness, ability and level of experience. What is strenuous for one person will be run-of-the- mill for another. Libby Peter, climbing instructor, international mountain guide and mother of two says, “As a self-employed mountain guide there was a financial imperative for me to keep climbing through my pregnancies. I was guiding in the Alps between weeks 8-14 of my first pregnancy, but as a compromise I limited myself to a 4,000m altitude ceiling. It was exhausting, and the stinky hut toilets were particularly testing, so I took lots of afternoon naps (the advantage of starting your working day at 4am!). I believe that we both thrived on me staying fit and active.” As a general rule, pregnancy is not a time to push your mountaineering limits. It might even be advisable to scale back a bit, but there is certainly no need to let baby stop you altogether. As Dr David Hillebrandt suggests: “Pregnancy can even enhance your climbing; making you take a more relaxed attitude, encouraging you to view the mountains more slowly and in more detail – all while building the next generation of mountaineers”.
Words: Keri Wallace.
KDr Keri Wallace is a freelance science writer, holding a degree in Natural Sciences and PhD in Neurobiology from Cambridge University. A fell runner, climber and member of Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team, her second child was born just after this article was finished.
64 | CLIMB. WALK. JOIN.
Especially important during pregnancy; take extra water and snacks. Contrary to expectations, energy needs don’t change much in the first six months of pregnancy, and even in the last three months only increase by around 200 calories per day. Nevertheless, hill walking for two will use more energy and it’s important not to feel faint.
20 weeks:
Carn Ghluasaid, Glen Shiel.
LISTEN TO YOUR BODY
Ninety percent of mums-to-be experience fatigue during pregnancy and 60% suffer some form of back or pelvic pain. This can ruin your day in the hills, so make sure you don’t overdo it out there – especially since most painkillers are contraindicated.
OVERHEATING AVOID Especially around days 35-42 of the
pregnancy, when the baby’s early brain and spinal cord is forming. It’s now understood that changes to breathing and skin blood flow in pregnancy allow heat generated in exercise to be well dissipated. While studies show that you are unlikely to raise your core temperature above 38˚C by way of moderate-intensity exercise, it is possible marathon running or if the weather is hot and humid. Take it very easy on hot days.
39 weeks: at home in Glencoe.
26 weeks: Le Tour des Aiguilles de Bavella, Corsica.
CONSIDER THE STAGE OF YOUR PREGNANCY
Many women will feel little different in the first trimester (although many will be feeling sick), while in the second trimester some experience an energy surge. By the third, things are starting to feel pretty real. Historically, anecdotal advice for pregnant women advised against too much exercise late in pregnancy due to a theoretical link to early labour. Science has since shown that there is no relationship between moderate exercise and preterm-birth. Nevertheless, due dates are called ‘estimated due dates’ for a reason; a baby is born on its due date only 4% of the time, with most mums delivering any time between 37 and 42 weeks. Every woman should decide for themselves when to stop their activities; it’s a personal choice. During my current pregnancy, my last mountain day out was up the Munro Schiehallion at 28 weeks. After that I stuck to smaller hills in my local area.
16 weeks:
Spidean Coire nan Clach, Beinn Eighe.
READ MORE
A full list of references and further reading for this article is available at:
www.thebmc.co.uk/pregnant_walking
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