Comments at Christmas cause I choose to carry on riding whilst pregnant

[Pladii]

In my early 20s I found horse riding. The routine, being out in nature, forming a bond with animals does my mental health absolute wonders.

I am newly pregnant. Just beginning to show and have decided I will continue riding my boy who is an absolute gentleman. We adore one another and I trust him.

We went to stay with my husband’s side for Christmas. And it got brought up over the actual main meal! I was mortified! Granny begged me not to. And my sister in law said “it’s just not worth the risk”. She doesn’t understand why I’m chancing it. MIL kept quiet (not like her).

I am only accepting a level of risk that I am comfortable with. I wouldn’t dare a ride a horse I didn’t know.

It’s my body. I think it’s a bit rubbish for my decision to be questioned so publicly. Made me feel like I am doing something wrong.

Dh and I are doctors. I’ve made a decision as an adult woman. That should be it.

If there’s no harm then there’s no risk??

I know that like all pregnant women OP, you're claiming that all these people have an opinion on or give a shiny shit what you're doing but come on be honest, does anyone really really care at all?

I rode up until 8 weeks ONLY because the morning sickness was so grim I couldn’t deal with the motion. Also needing a pee all the time!
The health benefits including mental health when riding is a massive plus in my opinion. You’re outside, you’re getting exercise etc

I drank occasionally during my pregnancy, carried on eating sushi and probably did other things pregnant women shouldn’t do but hey ho. You weigh up the risks for you and only you and your baby.

Now I’m a mum I get judged for other things like choosing to exclusively formula feed (strangers have told me off) and putting bubs in a different room to sleep. I
never ever realised how we’re so up for grabs until i became pregnant and then became a mum.
The scrutiny is insane.

What is the point of your response?

It's a direct response to the OP's claim that people are commenting on what she's doing whilst pregnant.

What's the point of your response?

YNBU to take the calculated risks that you decide to take. But also ILs are NBU to mention the matter and share their own views.

Also in taking a controversial decision you would have presumably been aware that it would meet some resistance. The conversation you describe does not sound at all surprising.

Princess Ann was fine. It's fine if you are an experienced rider.

@Skybluepinky as well she should! 😀

@vincettenoir

why are they entitled to share their views?? It’s OP’s body. And OP’s baby. Not theirs.

You might also get run over by a bus…

Tell them to Google Ros Canter!

You seem angry

@justpassmethemouse

but EVERYTHING in life comes with a little risk…even crossing the road you might get hit by a bus
do you think OP should be a hermit for the nearly 10 months that she is pregnant??

It's usually recommended to continue with exercise as you would have done pre pregnancy, but not to increase or take on anything new. So go for it!
I rode until 26 weeks pregnant in both pregnancies. After that I just felt uncomfortable. Other sports I continued longer.
Baby is so well protected in you pelvis pre 12 weeks that I wouldn't worry in the slightest.

Yes of course it’s OP’s body and the final choice is hers. But why would it then follow that family members cat share a view on horse riding in pregnancy?

You could trip over your own threshold and do yourself and baby a mischief… it’s your risk to take.

I ride. If I was ever pregnant, I’d make a call based on my health, and the horses I had at the time. I probably wouldn’t jump, and I’d probably give up hacking as soon as I couldn’t get on and off quickly. The likes of my mare I would trust as much as you can trust a 650kg flight animal, my gelding however was 650kg of pure flight and I probably would have stopped riding - even on the flat in the school- sharpish with him, and he was SHARP and could whip round and leave you sitting on fresh air.

Horses and riding as so intrinsically linked to our happiness and wellbeing, it’s downright detrimental to expect someone to can it - even temporarily. I dare say even physically it must help keep the body fit and supple which can only help a birth time / with recovery. There’s inevitably a period of time after the birth where you physically won’t be able to ride, as well as spare the time, so why rob yourself of any time that you can?

I’ve had multiple horsey friends be pregnant, and no one’s journey / choices has been quite the same. The common theme is that it’s THEIR choice to make and THEIR risk to take and no one’s place to judge.

However, I have benefitted from my pregnant / new mum pals taking time off as they often chuck me their horses to keep fit / compete so each to their own 😝

Well yes but accidents are sadly part of life and we reduce risk by looking before we cross roads etc. Getting on a massive animal who can easily chuck their riders off is a tad more risky than crossing the road.

It's your choice entirely, because if you were thrown and you lost your baby you would have to live with it. All you can do is eliminate as many risks as possible.

'The common theme is that it’s THEIR choice to make and THEIR risk to take and no one’s place to judge.'

Surely it's not just 'THEIR' choice but the other parent's too? Plenty of ways to keep fit and healthy in pregnancy without sports that come with a high risk of falls and injury.

My daughter is an experienced rider, only riding in a controlled environment. She got thrown off by a spooked horse and broke her pelvis in five places.

YABU for not posting photos of your boy! Everyone I know who’s had babies has ridden until they physically couldn’t. If your horse is steady, then crack on. Mine was a dream, the occasional spooks were manageable.

It's not up to anyone else.
You have to decide if this is something you'd still be kind to yourself about if the worst happened and then have faith in your reasoning no matter what.

So long as you are not on roads and you trust your horse I can’t see it’s that bad. The risk is falling is it? I worked with violent kids when I was pregnant and got punched in the stomach a few times- no one told me to stop work even when I asked as was desperate to be signed off!! It’s apples and oranges in my opinion.

how does your horse cope with yappy uncontrolled dogs? I believe this is a problem for riders around me.

good mental health is important. Stressed out mum means high cortisol which impacts too. You make the decision that’s best for you and baby and start your journey of being criticised constantly for all your choices in motherhood

If a horse wants you off you'll be off, it doesn't matter one fucking bit how experienced you are 🤣

Great post! 😀 🐴