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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

craving for ... my bike

27 replies

augustsun · 14/04/2010 19:51

I am 22 weeks now and big. Before winter I used to go to work by bike and stopped because of the horrible weather we had. Now I just dream to jump on my bike and quietly ride to work (it's a 40 minutes journey). I know, it is dangerous, isn't it?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Pepsiginn · 14/04/2010 19:57

I'm almost 19 weeks and can only stare at my beautiful bike out in the garden as i've been too tired to use mine. But i am absolutley going to go out on it when i get some energy.
For me, it's going to be ok to take it real easy, and be super safe but don't do anything you don't feel comfortable with.
You will have the end of the summer (may have to get a more comfortable seat mind..) to enjoy your bike then!

Fliight · 14/04/2010 20:05

it's not dangerous per se, but I rode a motorbike till about 7 months with ds1 and managed to knacker my back a bit lifting it when it fell over!

Your balance might be a bit off, is the main thing - also if you do fall, it will worry you because of the baby.

I wish I had been a little more careful.

babyincubator · 14/04/2010 20:14

am with you on the bike cravings - especially now the sun is out. I'm 38 weeks so it's too dangerous - my husband banned me from about 20 weeks... and won't let me ride with the babe once it turns up

tallbirduk · 14/04/2010 20:20

Why is it dangerous? The only danger (apart from the usual risk of being knocked off) is that your balance might be a bit off - but you will know that if you give it a go.

With DS1 I cycled a fair bit until the end, infact I even cycled a mile to see the midwife and back when I was 41 weeks! The only problem I had was that my bump seriously started getting in the way, but putting the handlebars up helped with that.

This time round I am 30 weeks and although I haven't been cycling as much (I just haven't since DS1 arrived) I still cycle a couple of miles a week with DS1 in his child seat on the front of the bike! Apart from being increasingly hard work (he's 2 stone now) I don't worry about it at all.

If it will make you happy and you just stay aware of anything that doesn't feel right I say go for it!

Lastyearsmodel · 14/04/2010 20:23

Ahhh, with you here - I'm 21 weeks and I don't ride when pregnant (I'm clumsy anyway, plus the what-ifs if I did come off). But did Dp really have to hang my bike up on the garage wall at the weekend, because I'm 'not going to be needing for a while, are you?'. Bloody sunny weather, taking off for an hour by myself would be bliss...

Original poster

augustsun · 14/04/2010 20:34

yes, it's all about "what if" I fall off my office is about 6 miles away, with a hill to climb in the middle... doable but long and the risk of falling is there all the time. Oh well, let's hope for a good and sunny September

OP posts:

dobby2001 · 14/04/2010 20:48

As long as GP is happy its ok to cycle whilst pregnant Sustrans have just brought out a guide to get more women cycling and there is a great section in it about cycling during pregnancy. You can download it here

dobby2001 · 14/04/2010 20:51

Ooh also found this blog with lots of interesting linkys too - girl on a bike is very inspiring!
http://bikecommutetips.blogspot.com/2009/05/baby-on-board-pregnancy-and-bicycle.html biking blog

dobby2001 · 14/04/2010 20:52

sorry
bike blog

Greenshadow · 14/04/2010 20:59

I carried on cycling to work every day when expecting DS1. No one ever told me not to and I saw no problems with it. Granted it wasn't as far as you, but was a bit hilly.

tallbirduk · 14/04/2010 21:47

Of course you will be worried "what if" you fall off, you are are concerned about the safety of your unborn child, etc - absolutely right - but then you could fall down some stairs in the office, or trip over a curb walking across the car park, or......well, I'm sure you get where I'm coming from with this

Even if you did just "fall off", your baby is pretty well protected - would be more of an issue if you were mown down, but then it would whether you were pregnant or not.

I'm not trying to persuade you into it - you obviously aren't comfortable doing so - I just think you have to balance the risks against the benefits - which are almost certainly many (mental and physical!).

Some good links there dobby - very interesting. Must admit I had never considered my braking distance might increase as my weight did

Petsville · 14/04/2010 22:59

I'm still commuting by bike at 23 weeks and hoping to carry on till I start my maternity leave. I'd be pretty cross with DH if he tried to "ban" me, to be honest, especially since the alternative is the Tube which can't possibly be good for my health. I've mentioned to the midwife and to my GP that I'm cycling and neither of them has a problem with it. I'm being cautious, and if I started to feel wobbly I'd give up, but for the time being I feel completely fine. As Tallbirduk says, you could have an accident anywhere - you could be hit by a car crossing the road.

My commute's 6 miles each way with no major hills, so not seriously demanding. If you don't feel comfortable, don't do it, but I don't see any objective reason not to.

Fliight · 15/04/2010 07:29

'but you will know that if you give it a go.'

Tallbird - yes, but it might be too late by the time you have had to do an emergency stop and fallen off because your balance isn't quite what it was.

I think caution is an important thing, and if your instincts say 'best not' then don't do it.

There is usually a bus

RunningGuerita · 15/04/2010 12:52

If you want to cycle, I think you should. Like you I stayed off my bike for weeks and week due to the bad weather and 1st trimester nausea. I am now back on it. My ride to work is shorter than yours (3.5 miles) but it's in very busy London. Cycling to work or meetings keeps me sane as I find public transport so unpleasant right now. And apart from yoga once or twice a week, it's the only exercise I get. I am only cycling 2 or 3 days a week instead of the usual 5. I leave 5 or 10 mn earlier than I normally would so that I have plenty of time to take my time and don't tire myself out as much. Am only 17 weeks but will continue to cycle as long as the bump doesn't get in the way. You should consider checking your seat and handlebar position though as your needs will change.

[I bet all Dutch women keep cycling when pregnant!]

Octaviapink · 15/04/2010 13:01

I cycled up to 38 weeks last time, and have every intention of doing so this time (in fact now I have 11 mo DD on her WeeRide as well!). I stopped when going round corners started to feel a bit unbalanced - also I noticed I went through brake pads a lot quicker!

bluebell6 · 15/04/2010 13:29

if you are used to cycling then i think its safe to continue, i would avoid getting too breathless or cycling in heavy traffic if it were me. What about cycling in the park, somewhere away from traffic, just for enjoyment.

Am just back from holiday and at 28weeks i cycled for the whole week - it was lovely so much easier than waddling walking

Poppet45 · 15/04/2010 13:56

I cycled 10 miles a day up til my maternity leave with DS and loved it. In fact I can't wait til he's big enough to get back onboard. Mind I lived in Cambridge, with no hills and lots of very bike aware drivers, plus I mostly cycled on off-road cycle routes. There certainly comes a point where it's a lot easier to cycle than walk, especially if you have a vintage style bike with sit up and beg handlebars, which are less likely to cause carpal tunnel, and which also ensure maximum room for the bump! You have to make sure you don't get out of breath but other than that the only problem I found was it produced a mahoosive boy - 9lb 6oz!

tallbirduk · 15/04/2010 21:56

Fliight - I just meant to give it a go by riding round the block or something - a test ride if you will.

RunningGuerita says sensible things and I bet you're right, Dutch women probably cycle to hospital to give birth

Actually, I remember reading about someone who did actually cycle to hospital while in labour, back home because she forgot something, and then back to the hospital to give birth! Oh, infact it's in here - an interesting (if old) read.

I am thinking about buying a dutch style bike, have been for a while, but not sure whether I can get one big enough here (I'm 6ft) - anyone got one? Or got any recommendations?

ClaireBanks · 15/04/2010 22:05

I'm 24 weeks and still zipping through Bristol city centre on my bicycle, I work in a busy shop slap bang in the middle of the main shopping highstreet so it's the only way really!

My balance isn't effected so far but my weight gain has definitely slowed me down.. and I'll hop onto the pavement when it's clear.. naughty me!

ClaireBanks · 15/04/2010 22:10

PS, Tallbirduk - if you have the time on your hands, 50's and 60's bikes tend to have bigger frames than new bikes, could always get a lovely vintage style frame off ebay and have it done up however you like. My partner is 5"7 and the 60's triumph palm beach bike he's recently got hold of is way too big for him, his feet barely touch the pedals!

NumptyMum · 15/04/2010 22:16

I've not been cycling so much this time but last time continued up until around 32wks I think (colleagues thought I was mad to continue cycling to work, even though not on main roads). This time I'm feeling more tired at 29wks, combination of having stopped cycling over winter due to horrid ice/snow (impossible to cycle safely in that, fell off 3 times last year) and due to having a 2.5yo keeping me busy while pregnant. Have to say sadly I'm not missing it because I'm so tired!

jennylindinha · 15/04/2010 22:24

I cycled right through my pregnancy and loved it! I did choose a slightly quieter route to avoid some of the more busy traffic, but it was so great to have my own transport, especially during the morning sickness weeks. I think if you are used to cycling and just take care then you'll be fine. I'm sure it helped me to have a quicker birth too. (Not sure how, it just feels like it did... )

DD is 18 months now and I cycle to work and drop her off at nursery on the way. I am a LOT slower than I was though, but definitely am enjoying the exercise which I need.

If you feel up to it, go for it!

Original poster

augustsun · 16/04/2010 08:14

ok, ok, ok, ok: you convinced me! I have all my equipment with me, the bike is a bit dusted but ready and I'll jump on it (well, climb it) this afternoon after work to go home: very excited!

OP posts:

Fliight · 16/04/2010 08:26

Gazelle bikes are huge, but also ££

glacierchick · 16/04/2010 16:10

I'm 18 weeks and still cycling to work (about 30 mins each way), I intend to continue all the way through to my maternity leave.

I do live in Denmark though, so it's considered completely normal here to do so (I'm pretty sure Danish women have been known to cycle to the hospital to give birth).

I have acquired an upright bicycle and it's so much easier than my old hybrid as the bump is now really starting to develop.

TallbirdUK : my beautiful bike is a von backhaus, but not sure you can get them in the UK, batavus and gazelle are reliable (if a little pricy) Dutch brands and available in the UK if you know where to look.

Even specialised are marketing upright bikes here in DK now, so they may also make it to the UK at some point.

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