Riding a bicycle when pregnant

[BumpOnWheels]

I'm 15 weeks at the moment and haven't been getting much exercise lately. I miss cycling.

Not unreasonable as such but do you think it's ok or dangerous? Would you?

GB squad athletes cycled until pretty late on, and I know friends who have cycled until about 8 months (I ride but don’t have kids). I’d carry on with it but maybe stick to quiet ways and trails?

I don't think I could then again I barely trusted myself to walk once I knew I was Pregnant. What about an exercise bike or one of those things you clip a normal bike into? Could you use something like that maybe?

I rode a bike late into pregnancy but then I played netball until 5 months however that’s not allowed now . At the end I switched to pregnancy yoga .I had very easy births and I believe keeping active helped .

I couldn't drive when pregnant with DD1. I cycled to the early midwife appointments, to the shops etc. T would have taken an hour to walk to the midwife for example! I stopped at some point in the second trimester when the bump got in the way.

I horse rode on the day I gave birth. Only you can know if you feel safe and trust yourself.

Why wouldn't you? Fit women tend to have easier births.

Personally I would carry on but stick to quieter routes if possible. Staying active is so important, if you can.

If you're experienced and competent plus ride in safe places, no problem. Wouldn't go mountain biking or somewhere I felt threatened by aggressive drivers.

Also do it regularly rather than occasionally so you stay on top of balance changes as bump grows.

I didn't because I'm crap at riding a bike and falling off feels likely. Friends were still doing the school run on bikes at their due date!

I cycled with toddler in a bike seat until 32 weeks this time. It was a lifeline during lockdown.

@countrygirl99

Why wouldn't you? Fit women tend to have easier births.

I agree with this. I exercised a lot and was very physical and really did have a good birth and a rapid recovery.

Absolutely - lots of women keep cycling through pregnancy.

And - for when baby arrives - there's lots of support to help you with cycling with small children, such as www.facebook.com/groups/641173915998956/?ref=share

I cycled during my pregnancy up until about 30 weeks, but didn’t cycle in traffic as I was worried about potentially falling off. I checked with my midwife who said it was absolutely fine as long as I felt comfortable and actually it’s better to remain active if that’s what you are used to. So enjoy your bike rides but take it easy on busy routes.

I cycled until I was 7 months and only stopped as the bump became an issue. Why do you think you would need to stop? At 15 weeks assume your bump is relatively small

Depends what you mean by cycling really. Commuting across London on a road bike? Probably not. A leisurely cycle along the river on a solid bike? Totally fine.

You may find when the bump grows it’s gets too uncomfortable anyway. I carried on spin right up to 38wks but those bikes are very adjustable.

I think it's brilliant to continue with your exercise for as long as you feel comfortable doing it. I would stick with activities you're in the way of doing recently though- I wouldn't start/re-start any new sports during pregnancy (unless it's swimming or pregnancy yoga or something similarly suitable, obviously...)

I cycled when I was pregnant. Probably until 30 weeks. Also with Dd1 on my bike the second time round. It's a pretty low impact thing to do.

Once you reach third trimester, swimming feels amazing as you're light in the water.

@Jennyfromtheculdesac I commuted on my bike, it was fine

@RebeccaBristol

I cycled until I was 7 months and only stopped as the bump became an issue. Why do you think you would need to stop? At 15 weeks assume your bump is relatively small

Same here, if you maintain the fitness you had at the start you are more likely to have a better pregnancy, birth and recovery. Plus if you enjoy it it is great for your mental health at a time of big changes which is also protective.

If you're gonna cycle in pregnancy (I did, to 9 months) then get back to it now before your balance is affected by bump; you can ease into managing that bump's affect on your balance, but not suddenly, not if you haven't been on a bike in a long time.

I kept cycling in London with two older kids on my bike until my bump got in the way in the second trimester. If I lived somewhere with roads that were not as busy,I still would. Bloody miss it. Best way to get around.

I cycled until I was 7.5 months pregnant. I commuted by bicycled before and it was more comfortable than walking. I had nice easy births. I would recommend it!

I cycled until late pregnancy when my knees started to hit my belly while pedaling. Also I was cycling on trails, and I became less sure of my balance when I was that big. I stopped around 8 months.

I stopped cycling as my OB/GYN advised against it. She said I could be the best cyclist in the world but if I got knocked off & miscarried I’d be devastated. I got a cheap second hand exercise bike & continued running. I didn’t stop running until around 32 weeks. My activity levels stayed high throughout pregnancy as I also had to walk a large young dog & enjoyed something similar to body pump.

I would. Unless it was central london or something

I did. I cycle to work and continued when pregnant until it became uncomfortable. Was maybe 7 months or so when i stopped, then stopped work at 8 months.