Pregnancy tips?

[Tuckervill]

When I first read this, I didn't respond because I don't talk pregnancy much anymore (although my DIL is pregnant with my second grandchild!). Anyway, if I were going to buy a new bike to ride while pregnant, I might get something more practical for the impending lifestyle change than a mountain bike. A hybrid or commuter bike with a much more upright and comfortable position--for attaching the baby trailer to later, places for racks, fenders, etc.--might be a better option.

My DIL still rides her Raleigh mixte a little, with my grandson in the trailer, although she's high risk and doesn't take any chances. I see you're quite the competitor and probably can't imagine going from a Farrari to a mini-van! But in practical terms, the hybrid/commuter/utility bike looks like a better choice to me in the long term.

Congratulations on the baby!

Karen

[xeney]

I don't know, the moms I know mostly pull their kids with their road bikes. As do I. I haven't seen any reason to need a more upright utility bike for pulling the trailer.

[Andrea]

...I might get something more practical for the impending lifestyle change than a mountain bike. A hybrid or commuter bike with a much more upright and comfortable position--for attaching the baby trailer to later, places for racks, fenders, etc.--might be a better option...

I had to smile at this because one of the toughest women I race against on a regular basis has 4 kids... the legend surrounding her says that she got stronger as she had them because she'd just add them to the kid trailer and go do hill repeats.

[Eden]

I had to smile at this because one of the toughest women I race against on a regular basis has 4 kids... the legend surrounding her says that she got stronger as she had them because she'd just add them to the kid trailer and go do hill repeats.

There may be some truth to that for another reason..... each time a woman gets pregnant her blood volume increases, as she is supporting both herself and the baby. When the baby is born though the volume does go down again, it does not decrease to the original level - it stays somewhat higher. More blood =more red blood cells = more O2 to the muscles = more power! Its like perfectly natural, permanent and legal epo.....

[cwodiva]

Thank you for the great advice and encouragement! Your words were the pick me up that I needed.

[curiona]

I'll echo the previous thanks. This is very reassuring. I wasn't sure how to take the 140 recommendation as I'm fairly fit and bike all the time. I am only into my 6th week and find myself strangely tired already, which is really weird because that's pretty early into my pregnancy. I was having doubts about continuing to bike but everything I read tells me it's good for me so I'll just keep at it. I have 2 questions:

Hills. The thing that worries me is that I have some short but steep hills on my way to work; no way to avoid them and for those hills only I do find myself out of breath. But we're talking about 5 minutes of a 30-minute ride. Any thoughts on the hills? My instinct tells me it's okay. And given that I'm basically a very lazy person who loves to bike, biking is really my only source of exercise so I'd like to hang on to it.

Seat height. I'm only 4-11 so every bike that I own fits relatively well but I can not touch the ground with my toes while on the seat. I did just buy one of those lightweight retro beach bikes with the wide seat and the upright handle bars and this allows me to touch the ground somewhat, although I am on my tiptoes. Does anyone have any thoughts on whether I should buy a bike that lets me fully rest my feet on the ground?

Thanks

[xeney]

I'm not sure why you need that. Is it a balance thing?

As for fatigue, that is an early pregnancy symptom. Some people have some fatigue throughout pregnancy, but I think for most people it subsides after a couple of months. I would not really try to fight it right now -- there is not much you can do, and it's probably supposed to tell you that you need some rest! For me, it got much better in my second trimester.

[curiona]

re: seat height. I suppose it might be. Right now if for some reason I have to get off the bike quickly I just hover over the cross bar and put one foot on the ground if I can't swerve out of the situation (typically, if a car cuts me off). But given everything I have been reading about balance (not that I've experienced it yet) and weight, makes me wonder if being able to touch the ground after stopping suddenly might be safer, balance-wise. Thx for the advice re: fatigue!

I'm not sure why you need that. Is it a balance thing?

As for fatigue, that is an early pregnancy symptom. Some people have some fatigue throughout pregnancy, but I think for most people it subsides after a couple of months. I would not really try to fight it right now -- there is not much you can do, and it's probably supposed to tell you that you need some rest! For me, it got much better in my second trimester.