The attitude towards exercising during pregnancy has changed a lot in recent years.  But what about those adventurous sports you usually enjoy on holidays? 

Most healthcare providers prefer that you give up that dive in Hawaii, the trek in Nepal or skiing down your favorite slope.  But different doctors have different views when it comes to certain guidelines. In truth, it isn't that easy to squeeze into your diving suite with morning sickness or a bulging belly, or to ski down the slope balancing yourself with your changing body on those swollen feet. 
In any case, here are some basic explanations on why some adventure sports are advised against. 

Under Water Excursions

Even if you are an enthusiastic diver, you just might have to keep your diving suite dry while you are pregnant. Scuba diving is advised against when you are pregnant.  When diving, there is always a risk of decompression syndrome. If you miscalculate the intervals between your dives or the depths you reach, or if you rise to the surface too fast. The main reason why diving is advised against is because you fetus is at more risk of suffering decompression. The illness and the treatment in a decompression chamber may both have a harmful effect on your baby.

In principle, this applies to the period in which you are trying to conceive.  Nevertheless, many women do go scuba diving in the very early stages of pregnancy when they still don't know they are pregnant, and no harmful effects are known.  So if you have just started trying to conceive, ask your obstetrician for advice.

Hiking and Trekking – going over 8,000 feet

The problem which is associated with high altitudes (8,000 feet and above) is lack of oxygen which could result in high-altitude sickness.  This can occur when your body doesn't have the time or ability to adjust to the low levels of oxygen.  High-altitude sickness has a number of symptoms, starting from light symptoms such as headaches, light headedness and upset stomach, to feelings of disorientation, problems breathing and coughing.
Women who live in high altitudes are adapted to the levels of oxygen there, so they will not suffer similar effects.  If you, as a low land person, plan to stay at high altitude until your baby is born, there may be a more substantial risk of oxygen deprivation.  So consult your doctor.  

If you are aware of the phenomena of high-altitude sickness and feel comfortable in heights, there shouldn't be much of a problem.  Remember to drink plenty of water since the air is very dry, and try to make your way up gradually to let your body adjust.  If you feel unwell at any point, go down to a lower altitude level.

Coping with high-altitudes has a lot to do with your experience of heights before getting pregnant.  So your second trimester wouldn't be the best time to follow your dream of climbing the Everest for the first time!

Skiing

When you are pregnant, your joints loosen and your center of gravity shifts.  This is due to the changing levels of hormones and the physical changes your body is undergoing (enlarged breasts, growing belly etc.).  Due to these changes you're more likely to loose balance, and if you do fall, your joints are more susceptible to injury.  This being the case, water or snow skiing is advised against.  Some physicians may allow skiing at some stages of the pregnancy if you are a very experienced skier, but that really depends on you and your physician.  

You might prefer going to Thailand or Switzerland once your little one is out and about.  Once your kid is born he or she will be able to discover the wonders of the underwater world or the joy of skiing with you.  Though it will take a few years…

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