Cycling during pregnancy

[twiglet2]

I'm 23+3 and currently still cycling to work. It's mostly off road on cycle lanes, takes about 7 mins and means I can pop home quickly at lunchtime to walk the dog. At my 16 week appointment my midwife said it was fine to carry on as long as I feel comfortable. Just wondered if other people have been cycling through their pregnancy, and what point the hung up their cycling helmet? I'm thinking I'll stop when I get to the third trimester...

[MotherOfInsomniacToddlers]

I've stopped cycling to work at 5 weeks when I found out as was too scared of being knocked off my bike

[CityDweller]

I stopped at about 18 weeks because I developed spd/ pelvic girdle pain and it became absolutely agonising to cycle. I was heart-broken as I love cycling and it was quite a significant part of my identity. Keep going for as long as you can/ feel comfortable/ confident. There's no 'rule' on this one...

[AmericasTorturedBrow]

I cycled up to about 32 weeks. My SPD was so bad that walking was horrid, as was standing or sitting on public transport, but for some reason cycling helped rather than hindered it. I was working sporadically in London and my commute took me about 45mins on the flat each way (was 25mins with a hill when not )

[TremoloGreen]

I stopped when my bump got too big and I felt like it was affecting my centre of gravity too much (about 37 weeks I think, I gave birth at 42).

Yes, some people will comment because 1. they think cycling is too dangerous (some of my colleagues looked at me as if I had sparked up a cigarette when I took a Boris bike between appointments) and/or 2. they think exercise during pregnancy is somehow wrong/dangerous. Smile and nod, you'll be doing a lot of it when you hear their opinions once the baby's born!

[Cyclebump]

I cycled the 10 miles to work until I was 32 weeks. Only stopped after I had (completely unrelated) early contractions that i had to go into hospital for and DH asked me not to go so far.

Midwives were very supportive throughout as that distance is not a challenge for me as I cycle everywhere. I cycled on some busy roads but was extra careful, used the toucan crossing on the largest roundabout (never would normally) and used quieter roads rather than direct larger ones etc. I have a drop handlebar tourer and was on the verge of adjusting the handlebars as I was starting to get a bit too bumpy...

I didn't cycle when pg with DC1 as I was recovering from a broken wrist. I gained loads of weight, had hideous SPD and generally felt really sluggish. This time I've had barely any SPD twinges, have gained far less weight and, at 36 weeks, feel far better physically than I did last time.

I highly recommend bibshorts if you're a Lycra fan as the lack of waistband was a godsend!

God I miss it....

[StillWishihadabs]

I cycled till 28 weeks, was roads in London though with ds on a baby seat at the front. If my commute had been like yours, I am sure I would have kept going. Was back on the bike 2 weeks after both times. :)

[applecatchers36]

I cycled to work half hour + commute until 26 weeks but continued cycling locally weekends etc until about 34 weeks...

[moggle]

I wish I was still cycling :-( used to cycle 8 miles to work (and back) a couple of times a week, but stopped during our IVF cycle because it was February/march of this year and raining constantly, the potholes were a nightmare and I was getting bloated from the drugs, not comfortable. Then when I got my bfp I just never quite got back into it. I have been for a few rides at the weekend, but lowered my saddle to feel a bit more stable. In this weather I do wish I was still cycling but on the other hand driving the short distance in my air conditioned car is not that bad.

[Swannykazoo]

Aha! This woman rocks -cycling in labour in Copenhagen
www.copenhagenize.com/2011/09/cycling-with-contractions-to-hospital.html

[LittleMissSnowShine]

I love cycling too and really miss it when I'm pg but as well as my 2 DSs I have had 3 mcs so along with the v dodgy SPD and early pg bleeding I always have, I just find cycling a bit too stressful with bump. Baby can go in your bike seat when they are about 8 months tho

[Cyclebump]

They can go in trailers even earlier :) I borrowed a swanky trailer when DS was about 4 months and we used to go round the local parks with it. He loved it and I felt fit and 'myself' again.

[twiglet2]

puggle that article is amazing! I have a pashley bike and that's pretty good for accomodating my bump, and have been using my road bike on my husbands turbo trainer in the shed to get a bit of extra exercise, although my road bike isn't very comfy these days! Its great to hear so many ladies are cycling through pregnancy, I feel really inspired :) looking forward to getting a baby bike seat when the little one is old enough...

[JennyBlueWren]

We've got our eye on a cargo bike with baby seat. The baby is in front of you like with a pram.

If you cycle to the hospital how do you get your bike home again?

[squizita]

The comments under that article made me a bit sad though. Too many naive men saying "ha! That woman cycled to the labour ward... so we should go car free so they all can. Politicians are wrong- it should be the norm" Men who no doubt have no idea of SPD, back-to-back contractions etc' and the "they walked home of course!" query as to how they got home... no idea birth injury can happen either.
ONE lone voice from a woman pointing out we need to hear from women about it.
I wish I hadn't read the comments. :(

[CorporeSarnie]

I cycled until 35 weeks in my 1st pg, gave birth at 36+5, this time around have had various problems that mean that I don't think I will be back on bike until after the baby is here (26+4), am a bit sad about that. I credit riding with helping to keep me fit enough last time that I recovered very fast from CS, and was riding again within a couple of months.
I used a (fairly high end) trailer with DC1, although it does make you a longer vehicle it is more visible and much stabler imo than riding with a seat on the back (which really changes your centre of gravity). It came with baby sling, carrycot and all sorts, which meant it was really useful from early on, and converted into a stroller for trips to the supermarket and swimming baths. Am a bit daunted at the idea of trailering a tot and a newborn after a long break, but am on the lookout for a decent double.

[CorporeSarnie]

jenny, presumably you'd have to find room for the bike in the car on the way home, I was certainly in no state immediately post-natal to ride home!
I think the lady in Copenhagen was very brave to ride in whilst having contractions - I'd have been scared of losing control (and of covering my bike in amniotic fluid ).

[DeWee]

I remember the last time I took my bike out.

I was 8 months pg with dd2, and had dd1 on the toddler seat at the back (aged nearly 3yo). It was a lot of work, but didn't do me or dd2 any harm as far as I know.

[Cyclebump]

My bike has a name and I luff him, no way I'd risk my waters breaking on him...

[JanetLewis]

I was stopped cycling after 31 week, but now it is not possible for me, I am not confident enough to carry myself properly. It is also because of my hip pain.

[Sunnyday14]

I stopped around 8-9 weeks but that was because I was exhausted and sick in the mornings and it would take me til the afternoon to recover. And my cycle ride was through central London so I just didn't feel like it was safe. If I'd had a route like yours though, I might have picked it up again after the nausea/tiredness passed. I'd do whatever feels right for you - if you start to feel wobbly/unsafe/uncomfy then stop, but if not, keep going. The exercise must be good for you!

[Cyclebump]

You're so right Sunny, it's a personal choice.

Did anyone else get people commenting on their DH/P 'allowing' them to cycle? I had a few colleagues and friends shocked that DH was allowing me to ride my bike.

When I explained we had discussed it as I believe the health and safety of our baby was both our business, but that the decision was mine as its my body and my commute a couple of them looked a bit shocked. I even had one bloke saying if it was his wife, he'd lock her bike away!

DH and I agreed I'd avoid a very busy multi lane roundabout and take a less busy route as he was less worried that way and I didn't want him to stress, but he's not my master... Right?

[L00p]

HI, I really want to keep cycling but a bit worried about it even though I've never had a crash/ accident

Does anyone live in central/ish London and cycle on the main roads?... I would avoid places like Aldgate East, Elephant and Castle roundabout and paces where i have to compete with buses but anyone else cycle in London? I'm 18 weeks

Thanks

[CityDweller]

Cyclebump that's ridiculous! I'd tell anyone who said that to me to fuck off back to the 1950s

loop I cycle(d) in Central London. I tend to avoid big roundabouts/ scary intersections anyway. But just do what you're comfortable with. If you're worried about bits that are v hard to avoid in your commute you could always get off and push your bike across the crossings/ through the underpass.

[Cyclebump]

Indeed City, I find a laugh and 'If DH tried to tell me what I was allowed to do I wouldn't have married him' shuts people up. DH just laughed when I told him and said he wouldn't have married me if he wanted someone to boss around