Riding a bicycle while pregnant ... when does it become dangerous?

[groovergirl]

Hello everyone. Cycling is my usual mode of transport to and from work, and at wk 19 and with barely a gentle incline on my tummy I'm not having any problems. Are there any cyclists out there who can suggest how long I might get away with this? I'll switch to walking to work if I have to, as I want to keep fit to help things go well at the birth and afterwards.

[Leati]

I think it is okay as long as you do not fall...

www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/51/18.cfm

[Jojay]

I think it'l be fine for as long as you feel comfortable.

Be guided by how you feel, but I'm sure you won't do your baby any harm by carrying on as long as you want to.

[justaphase]

it is safer not to

I found that my reaction time slowed down when I was pregnant and my balance went completely out of wack. It is just not worth the risk, I think.

[maisemor]

I cycled whilst pregnant with both of mine until about 2-3 weeks before my due date. It just became too uncomfortable after that.

My sister cycled down to the hospital to get induced and then to a friend's house after that. She did then get a taxi in to the hospital when she gave birth (it only took 4 hours).

Some wise people say that the fitter you are the easier it will be giving birth.

I would say as long as you can, and you feel comfortable enough, then go for it.

[Gumbo]

I cycled when I was pregnant last time, and figured that I'd stop as soon as it felt too uncomfortable. Which, as it happened, was a week before I gave birth!

Just found out I'm pg with #2 (aaaargghh!) and will definitely carry on cycling as long as I can. (Went for an extra long cycle this morning just because I could!)

[OrmIrian]

When you fall off I should think.

[belgo]

I had a friend who cycled herself to hospital to give birth. She had had a show.

Have many friends who cycle up until the end of pregnancy

[belgo]

lol Orm

[aikigypsy]

Wow!

I don't see myself cycling while I'm in labour, but I'm still at it at 26 weeks, no problem. However, traffic makes me more nervous than usual, and I'm going to have to raise my handlebars or something, because my thighs are starting to run into my bump.

[KindMum]

My doc gave it the ok for as long as is comfortable, presuming I cycle carefully. I go really slowly and carefully on cycle paths and avoid going out in the rain. I think this is the most likely time you fall off.

[wendyredhead]

ORM: LOL
BELGO: impressive lady your friend!

Don't forget pregnancy isn't an illness - women often get over-cautious and too scared to do anything so just treat your body sensibly.

You can slip over just walking and as long as you feel safe on your bike then you're not suddenly going to fall off it. You body will gradually adjust to your changing centre of gravity.

I read somewhere that you shouldn't play tennis!!!! What! No way Jose it's my favourite sport so I'm still playing it - why would I suddenly slip when I've never slipped over before. Crazy!

I even horse ride because I know my horse and the only thing I've stopped doing is jumping as she sometimes refuses so it's not worth the risk.

You cycle away - it's great for you

[lljkk]

I've fallen off my bike when pregnant (muddy field, wet road). I know you wont' believe me, but it wasn't a big deal. You have to cause interal injuries in a fall to do the uterus harm. Cyclists normally break collar bones, not ribs or hips.

Anyway, I rode to 38+ weeks in 3 pregnancies. We all seem ok for it. The hospital consultants congratulated me for keeping fit when I cycled to a 34 week scan (not sure if they realised I was cycling 35 miles round trip).

I reckon if somebody is a confident cyclist before pregnancy, and continues to cycle regularly thru the weeks, then they can adjust (in most cases) to how the bump affects their balance. But I would certainly stop if I felt clumsy, off-balance or just plain too uncomfortable.

[roisin]

I agree. With my first pregnancy I was already cycling daily, and I kept this up throughout - even to 40 weeks!

When I had the boys several years later I had stopped cycling completely, and would certainly not have taken it up at 25 weeks or something!

[hayley2u]

i was hit by a car when i whan out for a bike ride and i was 4 months pregnant. i was sent flying fewbruises but i was ok. the car did not stop. the little S**t i was so shaken and upset though i i got a lift home and bike is permantly locked in garage.

[skidaddle]

gosh poor you hayley - my mw said the biggest danger of cycling when pg is that some mad car driver will run into you - also true when you're not pg.

I am cycling at 22wks and am fine but beginning to find the steep hills a bit difficult. Like everyone else says, stop if/when you feel uncomfortable or unsafe. You're feeling fine now so go for it!

[cazzybabs]

I cycled till I was 41+5 (the day I gave birth) with a child on my bike - all be it a million times slower than normal. I am something like 23 weeks cycling with a 2 year old on my bike and can cycle fine still. Hoping to cycle till I give birth again...but I do live in Cambridge and only have 1 little hill and a railway bridge to cycle up.

[justaphase]

I was 9 weeks, cycling down a quiet street behind dh, car came out of nowhere, dh jumped on his breaks, I could not react quickly enough (I blame pregnancy for that). Crashed into dh, flew over front bar and landed on top of him, his bike seat hitting me straight into the stomach. Had cramps that evening, went to see GP, he said no way you can hurt the baby so early on.

Had a scan at 15 weeks, baby had died around 9 weeks. I will never know for sure.

I did not go anywhere near my bike during my next pregnancy.

I know it can happen if you are not pregnant too but it would not have mattered then, would it? Plus I do think I would have been able to stop if I had been my normal self.