Q: THIS winter, a group of my friends flew to Canada to do some downhill skiing. One of the women was pregnant, but she still went. She wasn't very advanced in her pregnancy and she did fine. However, I thought she exercised very poor judgment in going. Do you agree? Dr Rose writes: There are sports which are generally considered safe and unsafe for pregnant women. However, which sports fall into each category must be individually tailored for each woman, taking into consideration her level of physical fitness, the particular sport in question and her expertise in the sport.
Sports which I recommend as generally safe include: swimming, walking, golfing, hiking, aerobics, calisthenics, tai chi, riding an exercise bicycle, muscle toning with light weights, and jogging provided the woman is a regular runner and this is done before the third trimester.
Sports which I generally feel pose undue risk for pregnant women include contact sports such as basketball, hockey, soccer and rugby, strenuous sports such as volleyball, gymnastics, water skiing, rock climbing, wind surfing, downhill skiing, horseback riding and scuba diving.
It is best to check with your doctor for advice. Remember, while you may be able to weather a recreational sport mishap or injury, your baby may not.
Q: Is it true that body piercing can enhance one's sexual pleasure? My partner and I are thinking about having this done together and we are interested in hearing more about it. Our friends involved in health-care do not know anything and we don't want to ask our doctors.
Dr Rose writes: Body mutilation, in various forms, has been in existence for centuries in many diverse cultures. This form of art serves a number of purposes.