Can pregnant women go to haunted houses?
For the most part, expectant people can still enjoy some spooks and scares during the Halloween season, says Brittney Pohler, and OB-GYN physician assistant at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center. “In general, we consider them safe. For most haunted houses, the length of time is usually less than 30 minutes to an hour, and that’s kind of the same as moderate physical exercise. I don’t think just the heart rate aspect alone is worrisome for the mom or baby.”
Blood pressure and adrenaline spikes can be harmful to infants, but usually only if they occur frequently; most haunted houses don’t last for very long. Being jostled, pushed over, or bumped while inside carries greater risks.
The answer actually depends on YOU and whether or not YOU feel at ease visiting haunted places. Like many other things during pregnancy, going to a haunted house carries some risks. However, no two haunted houses are alike, so you should base your decision on the haunted house and your own understanding of your body.
With Halloween approaching, many people are preparing for fun activities such as pumpkin carving, trick or treating and… haunted houses.
There are a few safety precautions to remember if you do choose to visit a haunted house:
I wanted to visit a haunted house because it was Halloween season, and after visiting a few of them, I can say that I find them to be the scariest of their kind.
What are people’s opinions about visiting a particularly frightful haunted house while expecting? Advertisement | page continues below
I’m 18 weeks pregnant, and I was concerned that visiting a haunted house might endanger the baby.