Pregnant and cycling

[fixedgeargirl]

Congratulations!!! And may I say, boy, that was quick !!

I was completely exhausted during my first trimester. I basically could stay awake enough hours of the day to go to work. But after that I wound up being in the best shape of my life to that point. I was doing 20+ mile mountain bike rides over 11,000 foot passes during my second trimester. But I was doing them listening to my body, long slow climbs, walked a lot of trickier downhills that my non-preggo body could do, and lots and lots of stops to water the bushes and eat snacks !

Of course, I was young and foolish, and wasn't following any written guidelines, just what my body felt comfortable doing .

Again, congratulations. And sleep now, while you can!

[extra-vert]

So, I wonder.. a friend of mine is in her first trimester and she had just gotten a new road bike before this. I was telling her that I think it's too dangerous to roadbike while pregnant as you could fall. You girls seem to be okay with it. I told her to stick to an indoor trainer for a while - do you think otherwise?

[RoadRaven]

CONGRATS!!! I luuurved being pregnant.

I have carried five babies to term, and my general understanding was that I could continue doing whatever my body felt comfortable doing before I was pregnant.

As for a fall, in general baby is well cocooned and a fall - as in low speed tumble, shouldn't effect baby or the pregnancy at all. Even in a more serious crash, babies will often protect themselves/be protected.

Women can tumble downstairs, and still, somehow, baby manages to to stay ok even though mum is bruised - as long as forceful blows were not applied to her belly.

The problem comes if mum has had trouble staying pregnant, or has a particular medical condition, in which case she may be advised to stay away from strenuous activity...

Disclaimer: I am not a midwife or doctor, and this is only my opinion and my experience and shouldn't be treated as medical advice.