Pregnant!

[fanatizzare]

I would love to start a discussion on pregnant women that keep up with cycling. I'd love to hear from women who have been through this before and what their experience has been.

I found out I was pregnant in December. I didn't ride in the winter because I live in North Dakota. The only way to ride is in roads over ice and snow, which is conducive to falling. I've taken some nasty spills because of ice before and didn't want to risk it pregnant. No biggie.

Well, now, finally we've had a nice, dry day and I am itching to get back on the saddle again! My doctor said it was okay that I ride as long as I don't ride on wet pavement, try not to fall and take it easy.

I'd love to hear your experiences so I can gauge where to go from here. I figure I'll just keep riding until it's uncomfortable. I don't think I can fit into my bike shorts anymore and I'm hesitant to splurge on maternity bike shorts especially if I am not sure how much I'll be riding with them, so longer routes might be out anyway!

If you are/were pregnant and kept riding, how did you adjust to riding? Did you have to cut back on your miles? Intensity? Frequency? How did it compare to riding not-pregnant? What did you do for bike shorts? What adjustments did you have to make while riding?

If you are/were pregnant and stopped riding, how far along were you before you had to stop? Why did you stop? etc.

So, thoughts? Special considerations? Experiences? Stories? I'd love to hear them!

[limewave]

CONGRATULATIONS! That's so exciting.

I can say, from experience, you will probably be able to keep cycling through most of your pregnancy.

With my first, I found out I was prg about the same time as you. I kept cycling on my road bike until about 1-2 weeks before I delivered.

I did invest in a large pair of mens cycling shorts so that I could pull the waist band up over my growing stomach. You may be able to find some on clearance somewhere.

Things I learned about riding while pregnant:
1) Warm-up. I could no longer hit the group rides and take off at 20 mph. I had to go 14, then 15, then 16, etc.

2) I had to rely more on leg strength over cardio. A strange observation, but I noticed that I could keep a similar pace, but that I needed to push a harder gear at a lower cadence. Probably something to do with being at a comfortable heart rate.

3) Stay very well hydrated and don't overheat. Drink more water than you think you need.

4) Always listen to your body. If you aren't feeling great for whatever reason, back off and take it easy, or skip the ride all together. I found I had a few days like that, but I always bounced back a day or two later.

5) Endurance takes a dive. I could do a nice 25 mile ride, but once I hit that 25th mile, it was like hitting a brick wall--hard. I was done.

Those are the high points that I remember. With my second pregnancy, I even participated in an Adventure Race at 5 months pregnant. There was a 15-18 mile mountain biking section. We finished 3rd out of 20 teams :)

Good luck to you! And enjoy your riding. Its very therapeutic when you get further along into the pregnancy and start feeling like a blimp ;)

[fanatizzare]

Those are some great tips, thank you! And encouraging!

Since I haven't biked in several months, I am going to build up my miles slowly. I live 2 miles from work and on nice days, I am going to start commuting. Again, I'm sticking with nice days only because I want to minimize my chances of wiping out. I'll also change up my route a little to lower traffic roads.

I've mentioned this to a few friends and family and they think I'm nuts!! So I want to hear that it was okay. 2 miles is barely anything.

It's still encouraging to hear you could do up to 25, though! I don't know if I'll have the gumption to go on group rides or not. I did 20-25 mile routes fairly regularly with the group last year (until a job interfered) and I found it was moderately intense. I am a little worried about keeping up at that pace while being pregnant, so I'll play that by ear. I'd do 40-50 mile routes on my own on the weekends but I know I'm already going to nix those this summer.

And harder gear at lower cadence? Got it. Makes sense.

Thank you!

[fanatizzare]

I should add that I ride a Diamondback Insight 2 - a hybrid. It's not quite upright but it doesn't have the drop handlebars either. I have a road bike that isn't as good of quality that I ride occasionally, but I'll stick to the hybrid. It's probably a good one for being pregnant!

I'm fairly new to cycling ( two years ) and biked avidly last year. I wouldn't necessarily say I'm in shape, especially after a few months of inactivity. But I feel like I would go nuts without riding abike!

[northstar]

Congratulations!

I rode comfortably through my pregnancy. I was able to wear my bike shorts throughout, especially the ones with a drawstring - I just tied them up under my belly. :) I also found an XXL women's jersey super clearanced out at REI, so I bought that and had plenty of room. It really wasn't a big deal.

That said, I'm no racer/club rider. I don't think I cracked 20 mph past my first trimester. But if you don't have any complications, there shouldn't be any reason for you to stop riding, as long as you're taking care to ride safely. When I brought it up to my OB, she said that she thought cycling was great for me and I should do it as long as I feel comfortable.

If it feels good, and it makes you happy, I say go for it! :)

[Desert Tortoise]

Congratulations!!

I had just started mountain biking when I became pregnant but right off the bat my doc told not to ride, I was a high risk pregnancy. But I did put my bike on a trainer and would pedal away in the living room, under the ceiling fan at full speed and the air conditioning on. I live in So Az.

I did notice leaning into the bars was uncomfortable so I rode upright. The bike was stationary so I really didn't need the handle bars. The doctor did tell me what my max heart rate was and I was careful about keeping it under that.

Just be careful about your riding and really listen to your body and baby. Once you can feel the baby move you will recognize her/his kicks and movements. You will discover patterns to the baby's movements and find your body likes and dislikes different things. These signals are there for a reason. And so is your intuition.

I wish you and your baby all the best.

[Melalvai]

Hi Fanatizarre! I see you took my advice and consulted Dr. Team Estrogen! :D

[girlonbike]

Hi Fanatizarre! I see you took my advice and consulted Dr. Team Estrogen! :D

yeah, it's always better to consult professional!

[malkin]

Enjoy yourself.
Stay safe.

In the long run you'll be amazed about how short and precious of a time this is.

[bboston88]

I'm 18 weeks along and my doc says it's ok to ride for now (I'm high risk because my daughter was preemie but they are measuring my cervix). Anyway, the first trimester I was exhausted of course. And it was cold but I tried to do the trainer 3x a week.

It's warmer now and I'm riding 3-4x a week and feeling better. However, I'm a lot slower, it's a bit discouraging! I thought I could go out with some old riding partners....no. They don't know how to go slow! I've been told to keep the heart rate under 160 and I do.

Listen to your body. If I feel crappy, I don't push it.

[drdwin]

I rode until 35 weeks with my first pregnancy (delivered at 38). I DID NOT ride a road bike however - all I had at the time was a mountain bike that I owned for 15 years with a really wide cushy seat which was ideal. I felt great - the only thing that was a pain was that my DH kept laughing at my froggy leg pedal style due to the fact that my belly was so big and got in the way...it was pretty funny looking back on it now - but this is not something to bring to the attention of a woman living with a 30+ week belly.

[obie]

Hi all,
I'm 35 weeks into my first pregnancy...still riding, though quite slowly now! Still, it feels great after an icy winter that required a month off the bike (even if not pregnant, the roads/paths were in terrible shape).

I've been cutting out various things slowly...singletrack after maybe 15 weeks, riding into the city around 20 weeks, riding into slightly less urban central area after 28 weeks...and in general I haven't been out at rush hours or other busy times.

I've stayed on my upright commuting bike for most of the time - best brakes, visibility, comfort, and gearing. I haven't done group rides either, out of risk of crashing into others or others crashing into me.

At this point I'm mainly either on the bike path, or a very low-traffic route nearby. My husband put a new stem and riser bars on, which helps. Now and again, the peeing urge is strong...usually I can find somewhere to go, but often when I can't, the baby eventually moves and it's not as bad.

Staying active has been a godsend so far - the one day I was horribly sedentary, I was miserable and full of aches and pains. I feel very lucky that I've been able to keep active (also xc skiing, snowshoe, bike trainer, and walking)

[ASammy1]

OMG! Thank you so much for starting this thread. I realize that it's a year old, but lots of good info. I found out on Monday that I'm expecting and have my first Dr appt on Friday. It's good to hear that all of you ladies continued to ride throughout your pregnancies. It gives me hope that I will be able to do this as well! THANK YOU!

[shootingstar]

Wow, 2 mothers-to-be-cyclists at this time. Congrats.

Enjoy the peace and freedom right now....:):rolleyes: Wishing you good health and safe pregnancy!

[Catrin]

Congratulations ASammy! I do hope things went well for the original poster who started this thread.

[ASammy1]

Thanks for the well wishes Shootingstar and Catrin. It's still REALLY early, so I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that all is well.

[Melalvai]

OP & baby are doing fine. I don't think she's bicycled at all since pregnancy...or slept much either! He's nearly 6 months old. I know she's looking forward to a warm weather bike ride.

[ASammy1]

Well, I had bloodwork done on last Friday and my numbers indicate that this will not be a viable pregnancy... I had some more bloodwork done on Monday to confirm these results. I haven't received those results yet, but I know in my heart what they will be :(

Again, thanks for the well wishes and I'm sorry to the OP for the thread hi-jack...

[Crankin]

I'm sorry. How are you doing?

[Becky]

Oh no :(

[Catrin]

Oh my, I am so very sorry to read this. How are you doing with this?

[ASammy1]

Crankin and Catrin- I'm doing pretty well actually. Saturday was the worst day after I found out, but I'm ok now. I just had a really nagging feeling that something wasn't quite right... And it was REALLY early on. DH has been very supportive and this is what he said on Sunday, "At least we know 'the plumbing' works!" which I found to be really funny and creative on his part.

Thanks for asking :o

[indysteel]

((((ASammy1)))). I'm sorry to read this. Hang in there.

[Catrin]

((((ASammy))))

[Grog]

I'm sorry for your loss. Your husband indeed has a quirky sense of humour, not a bad thing to have around at times of sadness.

Sending many positive thoughts your way - good luck and don't forget to have fun.

[obie]

I'm sorry to hear that ASammy1. Take care of yourself... I agree with the others - husband sounds like a keeper!

[indysteel]

I'm not pregnant and don't have any plans to become pregant, but I thought this article for the New York Times might interest those of you who are or hope to be someday.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/13/exercising-for-two/?ref=health

[Crankin]

Fascinating. No wonder my kids have such good endurance :).

[badgercat]

Interesting article--thanks for sharing!

[TreeSaw]

Congratulations ladies! I too continued to cycle (mountain bike) throughout my pregnancy. I rode my local trails until I was about 7 months and then came the snow (I live in Upstate NY and my daughter was due 1/26 but arrived on 2/6) so I hit the trainer and continued to spin for the rest of my days. Listen to your body and do what feels right for you. I even managed to race when I was 12 weeks pregnant and felt great all throughout my pregnancy.

[Melalvai]

Just thought I'd post another update on fanatizzare & baby, because she mentioned biking with the baby in a trailer. Her mother of course completely wigged out! I explained that those trailers are so much safer than, say, putting a baby in a car and then driving on the interstate. Don't know if I helped much, probably not. :) I was just glad to hear that she's biking again.

[ABeezles]

Hey! Just found this thread kicking about. I am 11 weeks preg and still riding about 4 times/6hrs a week. I'm totally exhausted, but happy when i've gotten out! running a couple of times a week too.
This is down from racing Elite level nationally and 15+ hours/week training. I actually completed a MTB marathon at 6 weeks (unknowing) and raced HARD for a podium. Cripies.
Fingers crossed for good scans...
Anyone else in this predicament?

[Grog]

Yes, I am in the same 'condition'... albeit a bit further ahead, at 22 weeks.

Good for you for still being able to ride that much! I was totally wiped out during my first trimester and hardly managed my commute to work (15 miles round trip)... then nothing at all for a few weeks. I'm back to riding once or twice a week, and walking a whole lot, but that's about it, sadly.

Enjoy! and keep listening to your body. Good luck!

[kmhurchla]

ASammy1, whether you're still reading this or not, I am sorry and hope that you're well. I'll resurrect this string to say it's important to talk about riding after a pregnancy loss though understandably more uncomfortable to discuss. I've experienced several miscarriages in the past year and found cycling to be as therapeutic after the loss of pregnancy, as before or during, if not more so.

I rode through my first trimester once, and at the time found some good chatter online about riding while pregnant, and love this post for its encouragement and for specific advise on how to adjust your ride. Getting back in the saddle so to say after weeks off to heal a few times has helped me physically, mentally and emotionally and I'm so thankful that I'd found my love for cycling before this experience. I finished a 150 mile ride for MS this past weekend, and was so proud of myself (and relieved!) after anxiety over whether I was up to the task after time off training this summer. There's nothing like that feeling to get up and keep moving forward.

I hope and look forward to a chance to ride pregnant again, equipped with my new heart monitor for those hills that kick my butt! I think, as everyone has said here, that the most important thing is to listen to your body. Don't push yourself and don't feel guilty if you can't do what you'd like. It takes time, and riding is hard no matter what's going on with your body, so cut yourself some slack.

[schwartzdeborah]

it actually depends on your pregnancy. you might want to ask your obgyne as women has differences in terms of pregnancy. some are delicate, some aren't.

[ABeezles]

How's it going!? Stumbled upon this again trawling through the forums (not really an avid poster :P ) and just posting to see if anyone else is preggo and riding still? Have had a bad run of illness (just head coldy thigs) and beginning to get quite fatigued again (nearing 30wks) but riding around 4 times a week still, but only 4-5hours and no running now. I kinda lost the desire to run when I could only manage 20min without a wee stop! Now I will walk, and often run a minute or two every five minutes, but it's not really running!

[Lanterne Rouge]

I'm so glad I found this thread! We're trying to get pregnant and the first question I asked the doc was how long I could keep riding while pregnant. She said to stop as soon as I found out and that I would be limited to only using my trainer. This seemed extreme to me.

She was only my doc for one visit since my regular OB was booked, so I think I'm going to ask my usual doc what he thinks. (Is that wrong-- to keep re-asking the question in different ways to different sources until I get the desired response? Ha!) I ride a hybrid, and I wouldn't be using clipless pedals, I generally only ride bike paths and avoid busy streets, and I'm riding for fun and not racing (10-20 mph).... So, I feel like my risks are under control. I don't want to stop living when I get pregnant. At the same time, I don't want to do anything to endanger the baby.

I'm encouraged to read about folks that have continued riding well into their pregnancies. Did most people find that their doctors were encouraging of riding, or were they like the lady that I went to that gasped at the thought of being on a bike while a bun is in the oven? Any additional up-to-date comments are appreciated!

PS-- Any tips on where to find inexpensive maternity cycling clothes? I'm going to check out REI for larger sizes generally.

[lph]

I'm surprised at your dr, I think the general consensus these days is stay active, keep doing anything you're proficient at but don't take up new sports, don't exhaust yourself and don't overheat. I rode my bike virtually up to delivery as it was more comfortable than walking, and rock climbed 7 months pregnant, gently, on a top-rope.

Be careful with your joints and have fun :)

[colby]

A friend of mine had too much movement in her hips and had to watch what she did, but I think in most cases it's a matter of what you normally do and listening to your body. I WOULD ask your normal doctor because obviously you trust them much more. Arguably it is kind of like asking someone until you get the right answer ;) but at least you could have the conversation with your normal doctor and feel more comfortable asking questions (like "why?").

TE has a few Sheila Moon jerseys that are specifically maternity sized:

http://www.teamestrogen.com/product/maternity/c0-atspecialty_02.html

I thought Terry had maternity shorts, but I can't seem to find them on their site.

They aren't necessarily inexpensive, though. ;) Larger sizes might work, there's a lot of plus sized cycling gear out there, too (some of which is on sale):

http://www.teamestrogen.com/product/plus-size/c0-atspecialty_03.html

Sierra Trading Post might have some plus/larger sized cycling gear that's relatively inexpensive. REI/REI outlet are good ideas too.

[Melalvai]

One of the things I like about forums is that you can ask one question and you get a variety of answers, from "I don't know" to snarky comments to jokes to bare bones "yes" or "no" to informed answers. The best answers are those that provide information. Then you can make up your own mind which may or may not agree with the conclusion the responder came to.

I treat doctors the same way. Their job is to provide me with information, not answers. I take their information and come to my own decision.

Some doctors respond to this approach more favorably than others. Residents and new doctors respond the best. They are used to being beat down and questioned. They like me because I'm not trying to convince them of anything, I just want information.

This is my long winded way of saying that I find it not only acceptable, but recommended, to seek information from multiple doctors, especially when one doctor gives you an answer that doesn't seem right. At the very least I'd want to know why she thinks you shouldn't bike. Maybe she knew someone who lost a pregnancy due to a bad bike wreck and it left her scared. That doesn't mean the same thing would happen to you, an accomplished (I presume?) cyclist.

[Lanterne Rouge]

Thanks, all. I did ask my fill-in doc why she thinks I shouldn't ride at all from the moment the pregnancy begins, and she said it's for safety, it's a matter of balance, and I'll probably be too uncomfortable to want to do it anyway. I understand that at 8 1/2 months along, I'm probably not going to want to train for a century ride (heck, I don't do that now!), but I figured I'd still want to ride for at least the first half of my pregnancy. I ride 30-40 miles most of the time, and I try and get in at least one or two good rides a week. I can't imagine not doing that for 9 months. I'm guessing that Dr. Fill-In doesn't ride a bike and, while very kind, probably doesn't understand why I'd like to ride while I still can, instead of just switching my exercise regimen to maternity water ballet classes at the gym.

I figure that I'll call my friend's sister, who is an OB in a different state, and chat with her about it, and also ask my general doctor, who I know is a cyclist because he has pictures of himself riding in the office. :) Between gathering various opinions, I'll at least be able to get a better perspective on what other docs have to say about it.

[Crankin]

Even when I was pg back in the dark ages, it was "do what you're used to doing, with common sense," unless you have some specific high risk issue. I did high impact aerobics until my 8th month with my first pregnancy and then I was happy to walk and swim. Same thing for my second pregnancy.
The instructors at the gym thought I was (in their words) "eating too much pie," as my stomach started growing, but it wasn't quite clear I was pregnant :).

[jessmarimba]

Never been pregnant, but a good friend rode up until around 6 months.

Also, they don't have cycling specific clothes, but Born Fit (http://www.bornfit.com/)has some cute maternity activewear.

[Irulan]

Thanks, all. I did ask my fill-in doc why she thinks I shouldn't ride at all from the moment the pregnancy begins, and she said it's for safety, it's a matter of balance, and I'll probably be too uncomfortable to want to do it anyway. I understand that at 8 1/2 months along, I'm probably not going to want to train for a century ride (heck, I don't do that now!), but I figured I'd still want to ride for at least the first half of my pregnancy. I ride 30-40 miles most of the time, and I try and get in at least one or two good rides a week. I can't imagine not doing that for 9 months. I'm guessing that Dr. Fill-In doesn't ride a bike and, while very kind, probably doesn't understand why I'd like to ride while I still can, instead of just switching my exercise regimen to maternity water ballet classes at the gym.

I figure that I'll call my friend's sister, who is an OB in a different state, and chat with her about it, and also ask my general doctor, who I know is a cyclist because he has pictures of himself riding in the office. :) Between gathering various opinions, I'll at least be able to get a better perspective on what other docs have to say about it.

That sounds so...... Old fashioned, archaic, out of step with the times that it's almost scary. if it were me I'd definitely blow off the fill in doc.

[MojoGrrl]

Time to revive this thread!

I have a question (just one, so far) - I've noticed the last few times I've ridden that my wrists are a lot more sensitive than they used to be. Granted, I recently did a 200k, but I've done many long (100-plus mile) rides over the last few years and this was definitely qualitatively different. I've read that joint problems, especially carpal tunnel, are not uncommon in pregnancy. So I'm wondering if anyone has any experience or input about what I can do about this. Would some sort of wrist support (braces?) help? Changing the position of my hands, or getting some different bars (bullhorns?)

Thanks...and I'm sure I'll have a lot more questions and experiences to share in the near future!