Riding while pregnant

[wawa]

Hello Ladies!
I'm new to the forum and am looking for words of wisdom.
I am new to riding and had only been riding for a few months - with a handful of 25+ milers under my belt plus shorter distances - when an ankle injury (running related, not cycling) sidelined me for a few months. I am back at a point where I can comfortably ride my bike again but have a new element to factor into my workouts - I'm pregnant. I am only 8 weeks along and do not want to give up the bike but also don't want to push my health or that of my baby.
SO, I cannot tell you how thrilled I was to find the maternity shorts and jersey in the Team Estrogen shop! It's a sign that others have done it!!

I am fortunate to live in a community that has some areas where I can ride and not worry about cars (a concern of mine, especially for once I get bigger), and I have an indoor trainer. I'm wondering if anyone has words of wisdom to share from having riden during their pregnancy, or at least has information on it (books, articles, etc). Are there any pregnancy cycling videos? Any clothing suggestions? Etc. etc.
Thanks ladies, I look forward to learning from your knowledge and experience.
cheers-

[mimitabby]

I don't see any reason for you to stop riding. You don't sound like you are doing extreme stuff, so have fun and stay fit and hang out with us.

[SouthernBelle]

I know one girl who rode almost up to delivery.

[Flybye]

Welcome to TE - this is a fantastic place for encouragement and learning! Glad to have you on board - you and your baby - congrats!

There was a woman at one of the organized rides that I went to who was somewhere in the 7-9 mo range.

I tried but I couldn't - there was too much pressure on my bladder.

[Melalvai]

Welcome, I hope you are able to keep riding throughout. Maybe toward the end you might not be as comfortable riding. Keeping fit should only have good effects on your pregnancy, the birth and recovery.

[ttaylor508]

I rode my indoor trainer with my first child basically up until I delivered. I would spend 40 - 60 minutes on the bike. I backed off during my third trimester though. And was back on the indoor trainer about three weeks after delivery.

With my second child I rode my bike until I was about 5 months along and then switched to the indoor trainer again. I would just make sure to check with your OBGYN and make sure you have their approval in whatever activities you choose to do.

[susiej]

Biking was the best thing for my morning sickness and exhaustion -- if I could get myself out of bed and on to the bike to do my (short) commute.

A friend trained for a triathlon up until about 7 1/2 months, when she just felt exhausted during a run. She decided that was the sign to stop. I'd been really hoping for a picture of her running across the finish line with the belly too.

[Andrea]

According to the research, once the third trimester starts, you should not venture far into anaerobic intensities for extended periods of time because you are at risk of fetal hypoxia. In English- don't work too hard for too long... going up a big hill during an easy ride is ok, but allow yourself to recover afterwards so that you can keep the oxygen & blood supplied to both of you!

Also, you are more likely to lose your balance as your center of gravity is "modified."

That being said, I've heard stories of women running pretty fast marathons within days of going into labor with no ill effects to the baby. I've also had pregnant students in weight training classes at the university where I teach that lifted pretty heavy the whole semester and had their babies soon after. It was the 2nd child for one & she said that being stronger made a HUGE difference in being able to push that baby out.
I think you should do whatever you can as long as you can!

[Di bear]

Andrea is right.

Other than that, your pregnancy is incredibly protected. While people like to speculate that they miscarried because they did this, or because they did that, the fact is, most miscarriages are a result of something being wrong from the beginning: ie. bad sperm or bad egg.

We worry about falls with the third trimester because there is a risk of placental abruption, but it is rare. Also, if you exercise during the third trimester, make absolutely sure that you drink plenty of water. Edging towards dehydration can cause false or early labor. You'd probably prefer to go through labor only once. The balance issue is probably the best reason to take it easier during the third trimester. Consider walking instead during the last two months.

Most importantly, buy your kid a bike.

Congratulations!

[F8th637]

Welcome, wawa! Check out Gale Bernhardt's, The Female Cyclist. She had a good section on there I thought about riding while pregnant. She even had a story from a well-known cyclist who rode herself to the hospital to deliver her baby and stopped to help a kid change gears probably along the way! She has some good info on other female-related things in there too for cyclists. I was pleasantly surprised.

[Jen-Jen]

Hi and Congrats- Most doctors tell you that 1. Exercuse is very good for you and your baby during pregnancy, provided that you do it safely. 2. If your body is used to doing certain exercises or activities then you usually can continue to doing the activity up till it becomes to uncomfortable.

I had a friend who was a wellness coach for our hospital and she continued to teach aerobics (till birth) and kickboxing (1/2 into pregnancy). Plus her usual daily exercise program she did for herself.

One other was bowling queen and she bowled till her 8 month.

However, always ask your O.B. and clear it with them first!!

[DonnaInHouston]

The rule of thumb my doctor always told me was, if you did it before you got pregnant, you can continue to do it after -- although common sense should prevail in cases where you might consider sky-diving.

Congrats on your pending birth! Hope your baby is happy and healthy!

Donna