Breathholding or provoking the Valsalva maneuver should be avoided. Pregnant women may continue racquet sports in pregnancy. However, they must appreciate the changes in center of gravity and coordination, and they should play conservatively with an equally matched partner. Cross-country skiing is a good aerobic activity but should not be initiated during pregnancy because of the increased risk of falling for the inexperienced skier. Downhill skiing is contraindicated during pregnancy.
Participation depends upon the individual's level of competence and upon ski conditions.
It is best to drop down a level and to avoid peak times for skiing. Sports which should be avoided during pregnancy include water skiing, scuba diving, and horseback riding. In highspeed falls while water skiing, there is the risk of vaginal douche, threatening miscarriage. Scuba diving is not recommended during pregnancy because of the risk of decompression sickness in the mother, intravascular air embolism in the fetus, and the possibility of increased risk of fetal anomalies with deep dives. In horseback riding, the repeated bouncing movements of the horse may affect the fetus, but are more likely to cause osteitis pubis, or painful inflammation of the connective tissue of the symphysis pubis in the expectant mother.