Can You Skydive While Pregnant?

Key Takeaways 

Tandem skydiving is strictly off-limits during pregnancy, as waivers, safety protocols, and common sense all rule it out. While licensed skydivers can technically jump, pregnancy brings known added risks – from harness pressure and canopy deployment forces to adrenaline spikes, altitude changes, and ligament laxity – making the decision personal. For most, it’s best to wait until after delivery to enjoy the sport’s thrills with peace of mind.

Pregnancy is the time when you’re extra careful about what’s safe and what’s not – from what you eat, to how you get around, to how you enjoy yourself. So it’s no surprise that, “Can you skydive pregnant?” is a common query. It’s also commonly misunderstood. Let’s demystify:

Tandem skydivers cannot go skydiving while pregnant. If you’re a tandem jumper or first-time jumper, the answer is easy – you’ll have to sign a waiver that expressly prohibits jumping pregnant. 

Licensed skydivers can, technically, skydive. For these jumpers, it’s their choice. But it’s not quite so simple.

Unlike the reasons why you can’t have wine nights or sushi dinners, there isn’t extensive data on pregnancy and extreme sports. People don’t really do it, so there hasn’t been a push to thoroughly research it. So, we’re making inferences based on what we know about skydiving and pregnancy, combined with general knowledge and common sense.

Why Tandem Skydivers Can’t Jump While Pregnant

If you’re signing up for a tandem skydive, the United States Parachute Association (USPA) and individual dropzones treat pregnancy like any other medical condition that could increase the risk of injury – not just to you, but to your baby. It’s spelled out clearly in the waiver: no jumping while pregnant.

Here’s why pregnant women can’t skydive:

1. Harness Pressure

The human body is exposed to intense forces in the form of acceleration and deceleration during skydiving. The tandem harness is tight – it has to be; it’s your lifeline during freefall. That pressure on the abdomen and pelvis area is not desirable when pregnant. However comfortable you may feel physically, the internal pressure can be significant.

2. Forces of Canopy Deployment

Even a normal parachute deployment provides a bit of a jolt. Sometimes, parachutes have snippier openings than we would like (after all, we are falling at 120 miles per hour), and although our bodies are mature enough to withstand some shock, a baby is more sensitive to such dramatic changes in velocity.

3. Adrenaline Spikes

Skydiving is a thrill, and it is often responsible for a huge adrenaline spike. While pregnant, adrenaline spikes affect both fetus and parent. While not catastrophic in limited quantities, chronic or excessive levels of adrenaline can potentially affect fetal development. We don’t know how much adrenaline you’ll experience after your skydive, but it’s likely not a risk worth taking.

4. Altitude Changes & Hypoxia Concerns

A tandem skydive usually reaches altitudes between 10,000 and 14,000 feet. At Skydive Carolina, we jump out at 13,500 feet. So, what altitude is safe for pregnancy? When pregnant, due to hypoxia concerns (a condition referring to an inadequate supply of oxygen to the body’s tissues), precautions are recommended when traveling above 6,000 feet. 

While the duration of exposure to lower oxygen levels is short (on a skydive, you’re not up there for hours), pregnancy does change how your body uses oxygen. Short-term exposure isn’t likely to cause serious damage, but we’re dealing with “what ifs,” and it’s again probably not worth the risk.

On this note, you may also be wondering, “At what point can you no longer fly while pregnant?” Women are generally advised not to fly after 36 weeks of pregnancy – even if you aren’t planning to jump out of the plane mid-flight!

5. Ligament Laxity

During pregnancy, hormonal changes – particularly the increase in relaxin – make your ligaments looser to prepare the body for childbirth. While this flexibility is essential for delivery, it also increases the risk of joint injuries, sprains, or instability during high-impact activities like skydiving landings. Even with a smooth touchdown, the sudden movements, shifts in body position, and possible stumbles upon landing could put extra strain on vulnerable joints.

What About Licensed Skydivers?

Here’s where we get into some gray area. Licensed skydivers are not under the same strict tandem waivers, and many have chosen to continue jumping during the early stages of pregnancy. In fact, there’s a great article on the USPA website – “Baby Skydivier on Board” – and it serves to highlight the fact that this decision is deeply personal.

Some experienced skydivers feel comfortable jumping into their first trimester and, for them, the benefits of jumping outweigh the risks. Others pack it in the moment they receive a positive test. If you’re a licensed skydiver and are expecting, the best thing you can do is speak with your doctor to make informed decisions. Be open, honest, and straightforward about what the solo skydiving involves: it’s not just “jumping,” but 13,500 feet of altitude, harnesses, landings in smaller sport canopies, and high-speed flying humans in close proximity.

For other people, skydiving can wait. If you’re in the middle of obtaining your license, we recommend waiting before resuming your progression. Our article on whether a license is worth it or not has sound advice for people taking breaks (including for pregnancy).

“Can You Jump While Pregnant?” 

This commonly asked question is likely from those thinking more about jumping up and down on the ground, but others might legitimately be thinking about skydiving while pregnant. While both involve leaving the ground – they’re not quite the same! Jumping jacks or jumping on a trampoline while pregnant is nowhere near a 120 mph freefall from 13,500 feet, but both are generally not recommended.

Skydiving & Pregnancy: It’s Worth the Wait

Have you always dreamed of skydiving but just found out you’re pregnant? First of all – congratulations! And don’t worry, skydiving isn’t going anywhere. When the time is right, your little one can come to the dropzone with you to cheer you on from the ground.

If you have other questions about skydiving, like, “Can you skydive on your period?,” check out the Skydive Carolina blog for information. If not, don’t hesitate to give us a call – our team is always happy to answer any and all questions!

In summary, can you skydive while pregnant? If you’re a tandem skydiver, no – period. If you’re licensed, technically yes, but give the dangers of jumping careful consideration, talk to your doctor, and ask yourself if the risk is worth it.

When the time is right, book your skydive – or, grab a gift certificate so you have an epic adventure waiting for you after the baby arrives! Blue skies!