cycling when pregnant?!

[elportodelgato]

just saw this on the Guardian website: www.guardian.co.uk/environment/green-living-blog/2010/may/21/pregnant-cyclists and it makes me feel quite nervous!

Granted, if you live in the countryside (or somewhere with good cycle lanes) continuing cycling might be OK, but I just wouldn't dare do it in a city! One of my friends from antenatal (from my first pregnancy) was merrily riding round Hackney right up to her due date . Are the health benefits really worth the potential risk of getting crushed by a bus??!

Absolutely - I'm 28 weeks and still going everywhere by bike, and intending to carry on as long as I can (which I hope will be till I go on maternity leave). I wouldn't start cycling in pregnancy, but given that I've been commuting by bike for six years, I really don't think it's an unjustifiable risk. The risk of being crushed by an idiot driver is always there, but it'll be bad for my health in other ways if I get on the Tube instead. Non-cyclists often overestimate how dangerous cycling is - actually I think London is safer than country lanes, because the average speed of the traffic is so much slower.

The fatality/injury statistics for cyclists are probably pushed way out of a normal line by the idiots who do dangerous things. I am a cyclist, and have been appalled by my "fellow" cyclists' behaviour (especially cycling up through the City, as I did when I commuted).

Be sensible, never get aggressive (you're not going to win), and if in doubt, get off and walk

However, as for the physical side of cycling during pregnancy, I have to say I would be a bit concerned about comfort, and also the fact that ligments are loosened in pregnancy, aren't they? Maybe it would be worth stretching/warming up before a ride as well...

I cycled up to term last time, will do this time as well if all is normal...

I think if your friend thought there was much chance of getting crushed by a bus novicemama she probably wouldn't cycle - pregnant or not!! I think if you are a careful, safe, confident experienced cyclist it's relatively low risk. (fingers Xed I don't get knocked off now after writing that)

I acutally found cycling easier than walking towards the end to be honest, on ligaments and things as you don't have to bear your weight as much.

I had a "when are you going to stop?" question at work the other day. I said "I'll probably stop for a few weeks after it's born"

The only thing is that as you get heavily pregnant I don't like cycling on busy roads where you feel like you need to keep up with traffic speed a bit to feel safer, as obviously you get slower. So i tend to alter my route a bit.

I agree with SummerLightning in that I don't want to go under a bus, pregnant or not so I'm not any more scared in that respect than usual if you see what I mean.

I'm still cycling, well the weather over here has been so rubbish I'm on the turbo trainer more than on the road, but it's actually more comfortable than running which I'm also doing. My intention is to keep going as long as I feel happy on the bike and probably switch from road bike to mountain bike when the bump starts getting in the way.

I'm still cycling (23 weeks now).
Planning on keeping it up to term as well. I agree it's much easier than walking (or waddling which is what I seem to be doing already... )

I have an upright bike though, like the old fashioned granny style, which is not only very comfortable to ride (no pressure on the upper arms or shoulders), but also has plenty of room for the bump.
I'm actually a complete convert to these as commuting bikes, they may not be very fast, but they are much more stable, have better visibility and are easy to mount and dismount.

OTOH my daily commute (half an hour each way every day) is mainly on cycle paths not on the road, so I don't have to think about crazy car drivers and dangerous buses much...

I have an upright bike too (it's a German model with hub gears - heavy but incredibly stable and hardly needs any maintenance). I'm a complete convert to them for commuting: it's loads more practical than my previous road bike and means I should be able to carry on till the end if I feel comfortable (though I'm planning not to go long distances by bike after 38 weeks, just because it would be such a pain to have to work out how to get the bike home if I went into labour!)

I?m a keen mountain biker (do various races and events) as well as road rider, I don?t cycle for transport ? I commute occasionally but not often. I?m 26 weeks and am still cycling both on and off road (although my road bike is not as comfortable as it was). For me the benefits totally outweigh the risks ? which IMO are minimal ? I?ve never had any problems with other traffic while I wasn?t pregnant, so I don?t think I will when I am pregnant. I have had injuries through riding, but only when throwing myself down something that?s more technical than I am riding at the moment. All of the people I ride with think it?s great I?m still out on the bike, I haven?t had any negative comments at all ? although they have started allowing me to have a few more rests than before ;) I?ve been doing hill walking in the lakes as well - in fact, we?re off bivvying this weekend ? unless anyone things sleeping out while pregnant is too dangerous? I?m definitely of the opinion that my life should continue as normal as possible when I am pregnant, I am not ill.

OK I am almost convinced it's OK , I can especially see that it's good for the ligaments, being low-impact etc. Maybe it's just a gut reaction to seeing a blossoming pregnant lady balanced on a bicycle - but I guess traffic is probably more likely to avoid you if they notice the bump.

I suppose, like many things, it?s about how confident you are on the bike ? if you?re a relative novice then it?s probably not a great idea, but I fall over more walking than I do on my bike!

cos isn't bivvying going to be really annoying needing loads of wees in the night?!
I think I just speak as someone who finds camping annoying at the best of times though, especially the needing a wee situation.

I agree that it's about how confident you are, I just don't consider not cycling!! Cos I didn't stop proper mountain biking until 7 months last time, around then my mtb got a bit uncomfy and I just used my commuter bike. This time I haven't been mountain biking as much!

novice I like to hope that people will be driving safely enough that me having a bump will make no difference to their driving behaviour towards me...but I am aware that is a little optimistic.

I am very lucky in that I don't actually have to get up for a wee in the night!!

I do however have to wee all the time when out on my bike, I think it's the bending over.

I cycled till 39.5 weeks with dd3 - it was fine. MUCH better than trying to walk with my stretched ligaments.

I too am a keen biker was riding my road bike and mountain bike up until about 3 weeks ago (I am 30 weeks now). My main problem was needing a wee as soon as I got on my bike! I had the same problem with running, and this was the ONLY reason I stopped running - because running for 45mins needing a wee the whole time is not pleasant. I now use my road bike on my turbo trainer at home with all the doors open and watching the TV, it is much more comfortable now as I don't have to bend over and hold the handlebars if I don't want to! I agree with the above...cycling is safe as long as you keep your wits about you and if at any point you feel unsafe or wobbly or unwell or anything like that at all, just hop off and walk.

MtnBikeChick, I hope to be like Sally Hibberd (don't know if you remember her) and turbo train up to the day I give birth

You would have to pay me to get on the turbo trainer when in 3rd trimester when it's hot like this!!! Make sure you keep cool.

I used to get on the turbo when DS napped when I was on Mat leave though!

LOl you are right, if the weather's like this I'm not going anywhere near it!

The turbo is just the best for squeezing in quick work outs when there just isn't enough time in the day! I plan to use it as soon as I am able after the baby arrives. In this weather I do have to put it right by our terrace though and open all the doors into the apartment otherwise it is just way too hot!

we have ours in the garage with a large floor fan!

Yeah! A special cheer for cycling women, especially pregnant cycling women.

Best way to commute, especially in this weather...

And to chime in with the other people, I agree that some people cycle safely, and some people cycle like bloody idiots. Just like anything else really