Cycling while pregnant...anyone?

sweetfern · May 2011

Just curious if anyone has continued to ride during pregnancy. I'm into the second trimester and just got out for the first time in a while this weekend. I wanted something tame, no hills, no off-road, so we did a short rails to trails ride (10 miles). Normally, this would have been cake, but I found that I was feeling pressure and having increased braxton-hicks contrax. I think it was mostly a case of too much too soon and possibly the pressure is due to this being my second. I thought I'd see if anyone else who has been cycling in pregnancy has experienced this. I have an appointment this week, so I obviously will bring it up. Outside of pregnancy, my typical ride was 10-20 miles 1-3x week depending on whether it was mountain or road and time constraints.

DEBBIE33CASEY · May 2011

I am packing away the bike this summer I'm still 1st tri but I worry about the "what-ifs" if i fell. However, I have a recumbent stationary bike at home and will continue to ride the stationary bikes at the gym, along with other cardio workouts.

AmberinDenmark · May 2011

I was pregnant over the winter, so I didn't get to ride my road bike at all, but I did go to spin classes at the gym until the beginning of the 3rd tri.

I had to stop though because it was really uncomfortable on my girly parts and as soon as I got in the riding position, I had to pee.

The good thing was, I could adjust the handlebars so I didn't have to reach.

cesehorn · May 2011

I did during the first tri, then it just got too cold. I found that I had issues with my seat and numbness in my legs so I started cycling at the gym over the winter. I use the recombinant type bike and that helps some, but doesn't completely relieve my numb legs/feet. It does help with the not having to pee just getting on the saddle though.

I think a lot of the "what-ifs" are due to the center of balance change your body goes through during pregnancy. However, if you continue to ride, your body won't notice it as much and will compensate gradually as your body changes gradually. So, if you plan on riding much then doing it continuously is better than stopping for a bit and going back to it while still pregnant.

1220winterbride · May 2011

I would take it easy. The bike will be there when you deliver! Indoor rides are less dangerous, esp. when you factor in the risks of other cyclists and car drivers.

kerrymcguire · May 2011

I continued to ride to and from work until I was almost 6 months pregnant. The primary risks for me were being hit by a car (I ride on the road) and falling off my bike. Since I ride regularly, the risk of falling is slim. The risk of being hit by a car was the same as pre-pregnancy.

DH did raise my handlebars so that i wasn't as bent over while riding.

My doc's opinion was - it's fine to ride if you're comfortable with it.

Happy riding!

sweetfern · May 2011

Thanks for the responses. I have no issues with balance thus far and I plan on keeping any riding from here on out primarily to rail trails, just because that's what I'm comfortable with. I asked my MW about the pressure yesterday and she was not all concerned about it. The MW also said that as long as I'm not having any balance issues, there's nothing to worry about, but warned that my days may be numbered (which I am well aware of). I also experienced what some of the pp said about the urge to pee, so it sounds like all of what I experienced is normal. I do think I'm going to be raising the handlebars though, I think that would be much more comfortable.

Leila'sMommy · May 2011

I would put the bike away. Too many risks, and waiting 9-ish months to get back on it again isn't the end of the world.

Owl38 · May 2011

I couldn't give it up; it's what I do. I live in a place where biking is very popular so the dr. is used to patients who continue to bike, with precautions. Because I've been biking for so long, my balance and reflexes on the bike are good and I don't do the same trails I did before pregnancy. I will continue to ride as long as I can because it's one of the only ways I like to exercise. Everyone has different priorities and different risks they are willing to take. The benefit of exercise in this case, and the joy I get from riding my bike, outweigh the small risk of falling. If there starts to be too much pressure down there, I will try different "demo" seats from my local bike shop. The ones with the cutouts do make a difference.

lmknight7 · May 2011

I won't give it up either, just be extra cautios, especially as your center of balance changes! When I go the cycling class at the gym, they always say if you're pregnant, to raise the handlebars higher than normal...that should relieve some of the pressure you are feeling. GL!

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