Pregnancy and Preterm Labor

[Chile Pepper]

I had two easy pregnancies, and in both cases my Ob/Gyn told me no cycling. I was sure it was silly machista advice from someone who just wasn't used to active patients (I'm in Chile)... but I took his advice anyway and did not cycle during either pregnancy. I needed to know that I was doing everything I could to ensure a safe, healthy pregnancy. For activity, I really enjoyed hiking with my dogs. It was not as active as I was used to, but it satisfied my need to get out and get moving.

[tctrek]

How about a spinning bike? As long as you don't stand up and mash a big gear, that should help you keep your cycling muscle memory and should be pretty safe for the baby?? +1 on the swimming.

[Tuckervill]

Every pregnancy is different. My DIL had her first at 30 weeks gestation--premature rupture of membranes at 20 weeks, and she spent those 10 weeks in the hospital--but we all believe it was stress related, as her husband was serving in Iraq and she was finishing her degree. (baby and daddy both came through unscathed, thanks.)

Her second baby was born six months ago, full-term, at home, with no intervention (except a midwife). Totally different experience.

I wouldn't advise anyone to go all-out with the physical activity, but I also wouldn't walk around in fear of what you might "do" to cause preterm labor. If it's going to happen, it's going to happen. If you could "cause" labor by riding a bike, then every woman nearing the end of a long pregnancy would be getting on a bike to make it happen!!

I'd get another practitioner. That doctor is operating within the terms of his insurance policy.

Karen

[lph]

no advice on the preemie thing, but a few thoughts on being an "addict" to a daily workout. I say that tongue-in-cheek, but just partly. (I'm one too, biking every day keeps me sane and stable).

A large component of my habit, I think, is the comfort of routine, a steady dose of endorphins and stress relief. It's a healthy addiction, but an addiction nonetheless. Consider that once this habit is getting in the way of something else you want to or should do, you may be seeing the downside of an addiction. Physically you can keep in adequate shape (unless you compete) by walking and swimming for a few months.

If I were you I'd definitely get a second opinion, but also give a thought to why exactly biking and running is that important to you. Not least it could be useful if you ever get injured and have to do some alternate training for a while. I had to, last winter and it was an eye-opener.

[Mistie]

It seems odd they want to restrict your activities. Active pregnant women have a reduced preeclampsia rate (which rises as you age and is high for 1st preg). Mild to moderate exercise also helps reduce the risk of gestational diabetes. Hmmm, without a cause for your prior preterm, I would think they would be cautious at first, ride but carefully, light, not hard. As you progress, you should watch for signs that the exercise is not working for you....bleeding or spotting, loss of amniotic fluid which is easily noticed and smells like the ocean (sorry), dropping/open cervix at exams. FYI: I had preterm at 24 weeks which resulted in a stillbirth. I was told NEVER have another child since I have a common but detrimental clotting disease. Well, I fell into the 15% fail rate with a condom (I also can not take hormones because of the clotting). They started me on heparin and I delivered (by induction) a healthy baby boy at 38 weeks. Every pregnancy is different. Just go easy and try to keep HR no higher than 130 in 1st tri, 120 in 2nd tri, and 100 in 3rd tri. This was what my OB told me. I found that 3rd tri activity levels were higher when I exercised. I guess my son liked it too!

[SpinSpinSugar]

Do you have or can you buy a pregnancy friendly bike? Something with a Mixte or step-through frame and upright handlebars? Tons of women in Amsterdam ride pregnant every year and they're fine.

Not to mention the thousands/millions of years women have been working HARD all throughout their pregnancy until the day they give birth with no ill effects. I've never heard of a Native American woman getting a day off from moving camps (by horseback), butchering meat, and tending crops just because they were pregnant.

SpinSpinSugar

[tribogota]

Mistie, I just want to say I send a hug for the still birth and happy to hear that the second one was great!

[msincredible]

Do you have or can you buy a pregnancy friendly bike? Something with a Mixte or step-through frame and upright handlebars? Tons of women in Amsterdam ride pregnant every year and they're fine.

I went riding with my quite pregnant friend in Utrecht a couple of years ago.

Upright step-through bike, flat route, and dedicated bike paths were great for her.