Pregnancy and road bike position/saddle

[Grog]

Hello ladies,

As some of you may know by now, I am halfway through pregnancy (22 weeks). I had very, very little energy during my first trimester and barely rode, and now I do easy rides with my friendly and not-too-fast club members, not much more than that. So I have lost some significant fitness and gained about 7-9 pounds. But my biggest problem riding my road bike (which I received JUST as I became pregnant, and haven't been able to enjoy very much) is the saddle. That saddle had served me well on my previous bike, and it was also just fine during the first weeks of pregnancy, but now it's really terrible, especially after a couple of hours.

I don't know if it's because I'm more sensitive, or because I am sitting differently on the saddle (tilting my hips forward more?), or if my sit bones are migrating away from each other (although I wouldn't expect that until 30 weeks), but it's really bad, and the soreness lasts for a couple of days after a ride.

Any thoughts? Should I get a wider saddle? Or just realize that I'll need to ride a more upright bike? Other than the saddle, it's pretty comfy right now.

[Chile Pepper]

Congratulations! What exciting news. I can't help with the saddle issue, I'm afraid, as my GYN insisted that I not ride while pregnant (Latin perspective? Horrible Chilean roads? Legitimate concern? I don't know, but I just did as I was told for lack of a second opinion). Hope you find a comfy solution.

[redrhodie]

Congratulations, Grog! I have no advice, but I'm very excited for you!

[Biciclista]

when women are pregnant, the ligaments? loosen in your hips. It does not surprise me that it hurts to sit in that saddle. After you have had your baby, in about 6 weeks your bones will be as good as new. But for now? if it hurts, it's going to keep hurting.
With my first pregnancy, after about 6 months I couldn't walk very fast without terrible hip pain... and I was in really good shape at the time. Slowed me down...

[Grog]

Thanks for the kind words and congratulations!

I don't remember what my sit bone width is but my saddle was fitting just fine until now. I haven't remeasured it, but I'm weary of going saddle-shopping for only 3 more months when I probably won't be riding very much anyway as the winter approaches. (Maternity saddles, anyone?) I just found it really frustrating to still be sore the day after a 3-hour ride.

I'm sorry you were more or less grounded during the last few months of your pregnancy, biciclista. I am already walking at a very slow pace... which makes cycling all the more attractive! Maybe I should try to find an upright, mixte-style bike just to get around campus. :)

[Biciclista]

now THAT sounds like a good idea!