Pregnancy/Delivery Recovery

[Beth-Ro]

limewave said: "This is jogging--not cycling. Does this seem like a reasonable goal? Keep in mind, I'm not afraid to walk to the finish if I have to :-)
Thanks!"

First, congratulations on your new baby! Just think, in 6 weeks (give or take) you'll get to hold your baby for the first time. This is a precious time in your life. They are little for about a blink and a half then...bam...well, my first baby is now 13. How'd she get so tall????

Now as to jogging so close after delivery...here are some things to think about. Your body is going to go through big changes in these last 6 weeks. As your body prepares itself for labor and delivery your pelvic bones will soften and spread. It takes time for those bones to "go back to normal" after delivery.

I learned this first hand shortly (2 months) after my youngest was born in a moms against the kids soccer match at a picnic. My hip was jarred partially out of socket from the running (and I'm using that term loosely ). Things just don't tighten back up immediately.

Definitely talk with your doctor at your next visit to see what she thinks.

Best wishes for a healthy new baby!
-beth

[Trekhawk]

I hardly think of taking care of a newborn nursing infant as sitting around in my robe all day!! I was busy 24 hours round the clock with a kid on my boob or doing something for one of the others or sleeping. Even when it was just one I was constantly busy cleaning, cooking or trying to get a little sleep.

Im with slinkedog and surlygirl - some people (rare I believe) may be blessed with an infant who sleeps heaps and never cries but most of us have babies who can be demanding and dont know that a schedule exists. My husband was frequently away (military pilot) and we lived across the country from any family so getting time away from baby to exercise was not an option for me. I did however walk with all my babies and swim when my husband was at home but certainly could not have planned on a race training regime.

[singletrackmind]

the first race is 2.5 weeks after my due date and then a race every Saturday in Nov. This is jogging--not cycling. Does this seem like a reasonable goal? Keep in mind, I'm not afraid to walk to the finish if I have to :-)
Thanks!

Sorry, c-section and ouchie size H boobs. NO WAY NO HOW it wasn't happening!!! I've finished (and won) a mountain bike race after breaking a collar bone in 2 places on the first lap-I'm not a pain wuss by any means but having Mr. Adorable was a whole new situation. I was able to start walking again within a month and riding a bit after that though with the new 24/7 job I was a bit zonkered. RebeccaAnn's sure right about one thing (ok, everything she said) you SLEEP when the baby does! I had to fight myself on that one because so much seems to fall behind at first but if you don't sleep then, you don't sleep.

[singletrackmind]

Duh, what Beth-Ro said-
CONGRATULATIONS!! on your upcoming bundle of joy! Because no matter what, at some point during the day you're going to be staring into an amazing little face and find your heart's home.

And also-it's been a couple of years for me now. Yesterday I did a 7 mile walk to the library and park (did you know there's no gears on a stroller?) and in the evening pulled a two-seater baby trailer complete with 2 year old and gear into a 9 mile an hour headwind at 15.3 avg. Thanks to that baby trailer I am stronger than ever, though what little sprint I had has suffered. You will return! I don't get as much chance to ride as before and have only lost a little speed. I know 15.3 doesn't sound big but when that trailer stays home I FLY!
(I wouldn't trade having my boyo for those extra hours on the bike or faster speed or anything else in the world)

[Irulan]

Here is a really good article on elite female atheletes,training and pregnancy that you might find usefull interesting
http://www.insidetri.com/train/bike/...es/1486.0.html It is written by an MD who is a cat 3 racer.

[limewave]

That's a great article. Thanks for the link! I see my doctor next week and I"ll be sure to ask her opinion about postpartum exercise. She's a marathon runner herself and very serious about her training. I'm so fortunate to have her as an OBGYN who understands my need to stay fit and exercise. The first two doctor's I saw told me to do nothing more strenuous than long walks during my pregnancy--I was really disappointed. But then I found my current doctor. She told me to keep riding my bike until I go into labor. I was thrilled! Plus, I had just got a new road bike (my husband bought me to cheer me up when we first found out we were pregnant) and I didn't like the idea of having to park it for the summer. Our pregnancy was a big surprise. We're thrilled, but when we first found out I was depressed because I knew I wouldn't be able to race this summer. So far, being pregnant hasn't been nearly as horrible as I thought. I can still do most of my group rides and even fit in a run here and there. I've only got six more weeks to go! Riding has been a great way to stay in shape the last few months. I can't wait to start towing a burley around with my little biker chic on board :-)

[Crankin]

I'm sorry if I offended anyone, but I feel strongly about making time for yourself. Jody, my second son was also born early, 4 weeks. He cried constantly. The first one had colic so badly that we had to put him on medication. I couldn't have lived without exercising. Yes, I put my kids on a schedule. I didn't breast feed. I tried with #1, but I hated it and he was really small and was getting nothing. I didn't want to do it to begin with, but I felt peer pressure. Once I made the decision to stop, I felt like a weight had been lifted. He ate every 3-4 hours and my husband was able to do the 1 AM feeding so I could sleep between 9 PM and 5 AM. When I went back to work with the first one my husband sold his business, was finishing his last semester at ASU and he stayed home. It was great. The second was planned to arrive in May, but came in the middle of April (I'm a teacher, so this was very well planned). I went to back to work for the last week of school, but basically was home for about 5 months, as I was on "house arrest" for 6 weeks before the delivery because I went into early labor. I know that most people disagree with what was right for me, but my kids were both planned and very wanted. But, i knew that totally giving up everything that was me wouldn't have been possible. I did have a lot of support from different child care providers and friends and I did need it when my kids became toddlers because my husband travelled a lot. I know that not everyone has a husband who really is an equal parent, but I was married to a real a****** before, and I swore that when I remarried, it would have to be to someone who was going to be an equal partner, or I would not have remarried. Everyone is different. But I feel good that both of my boys saw an example of an equal partnership and they see the contributions that we both made to their upbringing. Probably the best compliment that I have received was from my oldest son who told me that we were very good role models for a marriage.

[susiej]

I'll just repeat what everyone else said:

CONGRATULATIONS!

Give exercising a try but listen to your body.

Make time for yourself and don't feel guilty about it. Think of it as special bonding time for other people with the baby.

Make time to get out of the house, with or without the baby -- I hate shopping, too many people, but the weekly shopping was a blessing the weeks I was at home with my son. He enjoyed it, I felt like I had a life.

Do what works for you. Co-sleeping? I thought that was completely weird. Guess what worked? Breastfeeding? Ew! Guess what (finally) worked? Returning to work? Leaving the baby with STRANGERS? For me, it was a relief, I felt like my old self. Different things work for different women, and you don't always have all the options you want. I second-guess my decisions and worry about milestones, and it's easy for me to become defensive and argue that what we are doing is right for everyone, not just us.

My you have a birth experience with few complications! May the baby sleep through the night early on and be blessed with a sunny disposition!

--SJ

[singletrackmind]

Well said, Susiej.

Robyn, what susiej said. We are all in our own ways working towards the most important goal of well cared for and much loved children. I wouldn't take one minute of "sacrifice" back from my son, I'm sure the same goes for you and each mother here. I am proud to be a stick-around mom (we're not at home, we're on a bike) and forever grateful to my husband to understand my need to do this though it means we can't afford lots of new junk. My sister is a working mother with a very well-adjusted little girl who couldn't imagine being in my shoes. She did not breast-feed and Taylor spends a lot of time in aftercare. She is a wonderful and healthy kid and my sis is just as good a mom as I am (not to say I'm the bees knees, by far), just with a different style that's worked very well for her.

[Trekhawk]

. I know that not everyone has a husband who really is an equal parent, but I was married to a real a****** before, and I swore that when I remarried, it would have to be to someone who was going to be an equal partner, or I would not have remarried. Everyone is different. But I feel good that both of my boys saw an example of an equal partnership and they see the contributions that we both made to their upbringing. Probably the best compliment that I have received was from my oldest son who told me that we were very good role models for a marriage.

Robyn - because some of us said we found it hard to exercise on a regular schedule does not mean our husbands were not equal parents/partners in raising our children. My husband is a pilot and Im afraid getting up to do feeds for me was not a possibility, one because I did Breast feed and two because flying an aircraft without enought sleep is dangerous for him and his crew never mind the people on the ground etc. Everyone finds what works for them when they have children and as we can see by this thread that may differ alot from family to family.

[Surlygirl]

I also had a very supportive husband who put in many hours walking and rocking colicky kids but I breastfed all of them and he had to go to work each day while I stayed home. I also had 3 C-sections, and walking was all I was allowed to do for about 6 weeks and it took that many to recover. You just have to find the right balance and what works for you. Enjoy your baby. They grow up really really fast.

[Kimred]

Nobody here is telling you not to exercise. We are just trying to say 2 1/2 weeks after delivery(if that if she is even on time) might be too much of a commitment. Just don't put to much pressure on yourself to "keep up with the girl nextdoor" enjoy your baby it really does go by to fast! Exercise is extremly important after giving birth mentally and physically just don't push yourself. I exercised all through my pregnancy as well but was still very surprised how out of shape I still was compared to what I used to be. Take it slow or you may also risk injuries. Your body has changed.

I am also very surprised you are still riding your bike outdoors in your last trimester.I would be fearful of falling,after all are balancing a whole new body. Just a thought.

Everybody is different. Just go with your "motherly instincts," There will always be races but your baby will only be a baby for a wee short time. Enjoy him/her , I cannot stress enough how fast it goes!

[MightyMitre]

What a great thread! I'm hoping to start a family next year and this has really enlightened me about what life will be like once baby arrives. I too want to keep exercising but I can clearly see the temptation to try and live up to the Uber-mum image, leaping on my bike and riding home from the delivery suite
From what most people have said, it sounds like it's important to give yourself permission to take it easy, at least for the first few months. I'm planning to stay healthy and active during pregnancy and after, but I guess I just don't know how I'm going to feel. At least I now know not to feel disappointed with myself if getting dressed is the biggest achievement of the day once junior has arrived!

[limewave]

My doctor said I could keep cycling as long as I feel comfortable (and, yes, she knows I mean "cycling" and not just riding my bike around the neighborhood). I've been fortunate that my tummy isn't huge . . . yet. Most people think I'm only 5 months along when they look at me. I can still sit and balance on my bike comfortably. It's much more comfortable than going for walks. My rides are much shorter now--nothing more than 25 miles. And, I don't ride my bike alone or without my cell phone. The only thing I really have to be careful of is overheating and dehydration. No cycling in 90 degree weather, I drink gatorade BEFORE I ride, and bring an extra water bottle.

For anyone else out there that's pregnant or plans on getting pregnant and wants to keep cycling, I recommend getting large or extra large mens cycling shorts. I tried folding my regular shorts down so it wasn't cutting into my stomach, but it was uncomfortable and I kept getting cramps. I finally bought some mens xlarge. I can pull them all the way up to my chest. It's a great support and I haven't had any problems since.

[Kimred]

I personally still would never ride outdoors while in my last trimester. Last year a route I have traveled on a million times a dog took me down. I was only going about 15mph and this little dog who got loose went straight at me under my wheel I had no place to go but down on the concrete HARD! It's way to unpredictable out there and not worth the risk one bit IMO.
I was cycling with 5 others the dog took out one other person all the people there could not have helped me one bit it all happens too fast. Maybe you've never crashed to know how quickly it all happens and how much it hurts!!!!!

To all other pregnant mama's thinking of cycling outdoors I would take all risks involved cars,dogs, and wonder if it's worth it????