My husband & I had planned a trip to Jamaica a while ago and just found out that I am pregnant. We really wanted to climb the falls and was wondering what anyone who has done it thinks. Too dangerous? Thanks!

As long as you are not in your last trimester, I wouldn't think there would be any problem. The falls are a cascading river with lots of flat spots and plenty of easy stepping stones to climb up. Usually you climb the falls with a group of 10-20 people, as you climb you hold hands with the person above and below you . There is also a guide and assistant along to take pictures and assist climbers. If it DOES get to be too difficult for you, you can climb out at any point and walk up the trail beside the falls.<BR><BR>GO FOR IT!

I agree - we went there on a cruise a few months ago. They do have the human "chains" where everyone holds hands to get up, and you can make sure your husband is extra careful with you and even tell the other person that you are holding hands with to be extra careful too. I am very, very clumsy - i bruise myself all the time just walking around my house (bumping into things)...but I didn't fall once. <BR><BR>I do remember once or twice being a little nervous because the water was rougher in some spots than other, but like the other poster said, you can just get out and walk along the stairs.<BR><BR>Go ahead and go and make the decision once you get there. Even if you don't actually walk up the falls, it's worth the trip there to see it and to watch your husband go up! <BR><BR>Congrats on the pregnancy! Hope you enjoy the next 9 months!!

Hi JoV, congradulations on your pregnancy. I would check with my doctor first.... Your first trimester is the most "fragile" time in your pregnancy and you would not want to do anything to risk danger to yourself or unborn child. Many women have active lives, they jog, swim, play tennis etc..during their pregnancy and have no problems. I have climbed the falls several times and it can be slippery because of the moss (guides clean the moss off the rocks as you climb) and yes you do form a human chain, however, you may get a complete "ass-hole" such as the one that was in front of me and refused to hold my hand....he said, "I feel better climbing the rocks myself".<BR>Good Luck

Thanks everyone for your replies!...I'll be in my 2nd trimester by then so I think I'll have to give it a try!! It will probably be our last vacation for a while!!

Sorry to disagree but the rocks at Dunn's River can be very slippery. An extremely obese gentleman in front of us actually got stuck on a rock and had to be pulled up by the guides (how embarrassing!). I wouldn't recommend it for the very young, elderly, obese or pregnant. <BR><BR>To tell you the truth I don't see why anyone gets a thrill out of climbing rocks and waterfalls while holding hands with literally hundreds of people doing the same. The only way I can see that being fun is if there were only a few people there. That's not the case though...it's somewhat dangerous, it's a zoo, we hated it and I certainly wouldn't recommend it for a pregnant woman!

I loved the falls and would climb again. But there were spots where I nearly lost my balance (and I'm not a clutz or old or heavy--actually I'm quite agile, 30, and thin) and a few small areas where one might step just right and get their ankle caught, causing a nasty fall. Just be careful.

Very slippery, potentially very dangerous, crowded and full of overweight, out of shape people. When I climbed them on my honeymoon and huge women nearly pulled down a string of us when she slipped.<BR><BR>I would stay away from Jamaica period, esp while pregnant. At least check with you OB-Gyn.

Haven't done it, don't know much about it, but I DO know that if anything did go wrong, ya ain't getting top quality medical care on Jamaica - and that's AFTER the who-knows-how-long it would take them to get you out of there and to a facility.<BR>I seem to remember another post awhile back from a lady whose foot slipped and became wedged between two rocks, and who spent the rest of her vacation limping around. <BR>I personally would not take the chance if pregnant.

Jo,<BR> I just did the falls last month. I'm a triathlete, very fit and we made it up solo without all the crowds. However, I slipped a couple times and had to overextend once or twice as well. This could hurt a pregnant person with looser joints.I exercised daily with both my pregnancies, but I wouldn't have done this climb! Take the steps, go in where it is safe and cool off. I suggest hiking,snorkeling and swimming as an alternative to this activity.

We climbed the falls without problems but I think it's overrated.<BR><BR>You can enjoy the scenery just as well by going up and down the steps alongside the falls, and be sure to spend some time on the beach where the river meets the ocean.<BR><BR><BR>

For the love of Pete (I say don't do it)!

To say that DRF is overrated would be an understatement. But the most incredible part of this whole thread is that I actually agree with DTOUR for once!

My husband and I have just returned from Jamaica. The DRF trip was great but it was slippery and scary in some spots. I slipped twice, but the scariest part was the overweight lady behind me who slipped and grabbed me (very petite) for support! Several times I wanted to use my hands to help balance on the rocks rather than hold hands. It is a beautiful and memorable trip. Go and remember the stairs are there if you need them. <BR

I do not agree that it is over rated. It was great fun and well worth the time. Some people are never satisfied and every thing is over rated to them (unless they are the ones that think it is good). The falls are really neat to climb and it is not all that hard, but if you are pregnant you might want to reconsider since the rocks can be slick and it is easy to step into a hole you aren't expecting (not real deep but can cause an upset). I am real tired of these Jamaica bashers here. It is a fun place to vacation and the people are wonderful. Most of the bad things you hear about happen in the slums of Kingston and no one goes there for holiday anyway. Go. Have fun. Enjoy. Of course since you are pregnant you will miss out on all the wonderful drinks they make.

wonderful drinks like a hummingbird oh my god how tasty

I'm four months pregnant now, and I have done the Falls when not pregnant.<BR><BR>There is NO WAY I would attempt it now--to much of a chance you could fall or someone else in the chain could make you lose your balance. It looks a lot easier than it is. It is not a matter of fitness, but a matter of misstepping and missing a rock and landing in a hole.<BR><BR>Not to mention in your second trimester your ligaments will be loosening and it will be very easy to twist an ankle.<BR><BR>Take the stairs and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

I hope JoV sees your message x...no way should she attempt DRF.

just returned from Jamaica and did DRF with our entire family (including our son, who is 6). Obviously it's your choice, but I say go, enjoy the scenery, climb at least half the way, but when you get to the really big part of the Falls, exit to the steps to your left (you'll KNOW when you've reached the big part of the Falls!). We loved DRF. Yes, it's touristy, but great fun. Enjoy Jamaica for what it is; not for what it isn't. The poverty is staggering and goats roam wild everywhere, but we weren't looking for a typical Americanized vacation. Our entire family loved Jamaica and would go back in a heartbeat. Good luck, and congrats!

I just came back from Jamaica this weekend and thanks to our driver we got to climb a different set of falls. We wanted to experience the falls but did not want to deal with all of the crowds I heard about at Dunn's River. (We also didn't want to take the 2 hour drive from Tryall to Ocho Rios) We went to Mayfield Falls, about an hour drive from Montego Bay. They were beautiful and it was just our group of 6 and a guide! The trip up the mountain was also an experience. You got to see how the Jamaicans really live. Our driver actually recommended these falls over Dunn's River. Before your trip up the falls you can order lunch (including lobster)at the little restaurant they have there and it will be waiting for you after your river walk. The falls aren't very steep either but the current could get a little strong in some places.