Cycling and pregnancy....

[Derf]

I think my biggest concern would be falling.

[HoddyToddy]

I am 13 weeks along, 14 weeks on Sunday. I've only ridden once since June 30. Mainly a fear of falling/crazy drivers in Atlanta, not to mention the fact that it is 10,000 degrees here.
I'd love to ride for awhile longer, and hope to start taking early morning rides at least once a week, as well as some light, easy inline skating (I'm very experienced and don't worry too much about falling).
I am having a surgical birth in mid-Feb. and expect to be able to get back on the bike about 8 weeks after.
Anyone have an experience getting back in the saddle after a c-section?

[limewave]

I had a similar surgery to a C-Section. I would be hesitant to get right on a road bike. A comfort bike where you can sit up more would be better. I think I started riding about 3-4 weeks after my surgery. I took it slow and easy. Good luck!

[Torrilin]

After a C-section, they'll want to have you up and walking within 24 hours. Because of the damage to your abdominal muscles, I would expect biking to be out at least until the stitches come out. I don't know when mom got back on her bike after me, but I was a November baby, and this was 30 years ago. I don't think mom was an icebiker way back then *g*.

Mom didn't have much choice about me being born via C-section... she and I were both dying after 72 hours of nonproductive labor. Since there was no medical reason preventing me from being born normally, for my sister and brother they didn't even try labor. If mom had had a choice, I would have been born vaginally. Her recovery from each C-section was much harder than her friends' recoveries from vaginal birth. She's really active about discouraging young mothers from C-sections, and says the recovery period is the most difficult she's had for any surgery (including a hip replacement and a botched shoulder replacement).

If you must do a C-section, be real up front with your doctor about your activity level and goals. Even if you can't bike, there should be core strength exercises that are safe to do. A good physical fitness baseline makes any surgery easier, and a C-section is just brutal on your body. If you can dodge the bed rest bullet, do. Bed rest makes recovering from a C-section even harder.

[Crankin]

I started exercising 4 weeks after a C section. I was doing high impact aerobics, not cycling, but it was still pretty strenuous. I didn't find the recovery to be that bad. I started walking after 2-3 weeks. You will be tired from just having surgery, so start slowly and listen to your body. Most doctors clear you for any type of exercise after 6 weeks. This was a long time ago, but I don't think too much has changed! I had two vaginal deliveries after the C, but i think doctors today are too afraid to try this.
Everyone is different.