How soon to return to riding after baby?

[nillynoo]

I was due to start riding again after an 8 year break, and then happily discovered I was pregnant. Not trusting my seat or balance to not fall off, I decided it would be best to wait!

Of course now, I am itching to get back in the saddle, and just wondered if anyone had any advice as to when would be best to get back on the horse so to speak? Bubs is due end of October/early November, so I know it definately won't be any time before Christmas but after that, any suggestions when it would be sensible to think about it? If I have to wait till the spring, so be it, but it would be nice to hear what others did!

 

[Orson Cart]

As with any exercise post baby you will be advised by the health professionals to wait 6 weeks before starting up anything again, so that your stomach muscles can knot back together again ... If you end up with a C-Section you may feel you need longer.

I would wait for the 6 weeks - you will have more than enough to get your head 'round in that time! - and after that go for a ride whenever you feel comfortable and want to

HTH
Ems
xxx

 

[nillynoo]

Hubs will be naughty and buy me Christmas presents despite me telling him not too, so might drop large hints about money for lessons for the New Year. Riding school is only a mile away, so with willing granny participation, I will be able to get down there and ride without interrupting little one too much

 

[Littlelegs]

Depends on you really. I rode properly for about an hour when mine was two weeks old, had 10min sits from about a week after, for me it was not knowing how long I had till she needed feeding rather than my physical state. But I rode right up to the eve before I gave birth & had a very active pregnancy. If you haven't rode for years but are pretty fit otherwise after Xmas should be fine on a suitable horse if you feel ready.

 

[Orson Cart]

That sounds like a stonking plan! Giddy up!

 

[Ranyhyn]

I'll be on as soon as I feel physically able, I actually cannot wait!!! I've drudged round looking after 3 horses since last Nov not being able to ride or do anything with them, so as soon as I can I'll be back on.
The official line is 6 weeks, but as with everything its incredibly personal so let your body tell you

 

[nillynoo]

I'm generally fit, last time I sat on a horse was about 5 years ago for a hack, but it's been 8 since any sort of regular riding.

I don't know if it's the hormones or what, but I am really, really missing horses....to the point where I had to have a good sniff of one when I was out for a walk last week. Thankfully the pony was quite willing to get a good mane scratch!

 

[Pampered Ponies]

Absolutely agree it will depend on you and how the birth goes. I had my little girl on 20th June and got back on my horses last Tuesday - so just under 2 weeks later.
It may be different if you haven't been riding prior to your pregnancy but I would say you are the best person to decide - you'll know if you feel up to it. I'm sure you'll get loads of opinions and advice from people around you as to what to do but just go with what you feel comfortable and confident with. And as dull as it sounds do the exercises (pelvic etc) they recommend - before the birth as well as after.

Good luck with the pregnancy and the riding

 

[cornbrodolly]

20 odd years ago I saw the perfect horse advertised. My son was 8 days old . Rest of family looked,rode,bought . I rode him a few days later , so yes, about a fortnight after birth [ unexpected home birth ] I didnt ride far or fast though , but just had to sit on my new hoss, which became the horse of a lifetime.

 

[nillynoo]

Aaah yes, everyone has an opinion on everything as soon as you get pregnant it seems

I think I will wait till after Christmas, and take it from there with regards to how I'm feeling and the type of birth I've had. I'm hoping all my riding muscles will remember what to do - I think it will be a case of half hour rides until my legs feel like less jelly like

 

[Como]

I felt pretty much fine 9 days after each of my births. That was with lots of rest, more food than I could believe I could eat and trusty paracetemol! I had 2 natural births with a bit of gas and air, water births are great by the way. Stitches in my lady bits too. You'll ride when you feel physically ready, so that all depends on the birth and recovery. Watch out for the dreaded bad back and don't over do it if you get one. Pilates sorted mine out if you do get one. Have fun!! x

 

[nillynoo]

Thanks - it's good to hear it's possible quite soon after.......I've already had the 'you won't have any time to do anything for yourself for the rest of forever' brigade put their 2ps worth in....if that was the case, no-one would ever have more than one!

 

[mon]

Just started hacking out with friend who had emergency C section mid march at 34weeks and two weeks ago went out for first two hour hack at gentle pace and she felt fine.

 

[Dukey]

I rode while pregnant until about 6months so was hoping to get straight back on after the birth. I know against all advice and H&S! However the birth was traumatic had to have forceps then was in hospital for 10days afterwards, so was more like 3 weeks. Then 4months after I brought a nutty 4 year old! But I've ridden all my life and been competing at BE before falling preggers... I would wait and see how you feel I found horses are a great excuse for mummy time. Maybe aim for the new year? X

 

[nillynoo]

That's what I was thinking - get Christmas out of the way and then give it a bash. Of course, now I 'can't' ride, it's all I want to do! Kick myself for ever stopping in the first place, but that's just what sometimes happens

 

[Ranyhyn]

Ah don't-the negative no hope brigade have really started to pee me off! "get used to exhaustion/having no life" etc etc ...

 

[BeesKnees]

As you haven't ridden for 8 years I think you'd be advised to wait at least 6 weeks post partum, and more if the birth is at all difficult. It is challenging enought to come back to riding after a lengthy break without adding in your pelvic floor being shot!

 

[BackstreetSym]

I don't think there's a hard and fast rule, unless medically advised not to. And fantastic to have some time for yourself, too - especially with willing grandma!

I'm not being negative, but you will be extremely tired in the first weeks after the baby is born. But it honestly doesn't last. I went back to work full time when my son was 6 weeks old, but only because that was the length of maternity leave in the US. I didn't ride until he was about 4 months, but it would have been sooner if I wasn't working!

Congratulations and good luck - both with little one and getting back in the saddle.

 

[BeesKnees]

There are medical reasons why you should be careful. On major one is Diastasis Recti - the separation of the Rectus Abdominus muscles to make room for the baby. If you have this badly ( more than 2 1/2 fingers width) it can take up to a year to recover!

 

[nillynoo]

Beeknees - yeah, I don't much fancy wetting myself during rising trot if my pelvic floor is in pieces, will be mindful to do my exercises

Backstreet - I totally understand how tiring the first few months will be - it's the people who try to make on you will never have a life ever again until the baby is at least 18 that I find wearing

 

[NeverSayNever]

Ah don't-the negative no hope brigade have really started to pee me off! "get used to exhaustion/having no life" etc etc ...

ignore them - i have found those who go on like this are usually those who are resentful because for whatever reason it didnt work out for them

My baby is 8 weeks old tomorrow. I rode to 34 weeks, gently and after a traumatic birth was back on about 4 weeks after. When I say that though I literally mean, sitting on, plodding round for 10 mins and getting off again. I have a saint of a horse and if I didnt, I wouldnt have. I wasnt sore, my core didnt even feel too weak.. but generally I was weak all over and was terrified over doing it and hurting myself. In the last month or so of pregnancy all your ligaments etc soften and stretch so it is very easy to hurt yourself, these doesnt just go away when you have the baby and your pelvis can take a few months to settle. As someone else mentioned your stomach muscles can also separate but certainly in my case, the hospital gave me a leaflet about exercise after birth and it told you how to check these, and if they are quite far apart there are gentle exercises you can still do. Im hacking out now a few times a week and hoping to go back to fw lessons soon but I am still taking it slowly and building things up gradually. Its just not worth the risk of setting yourself back. If you havent been riding regularly before being pregnant Id wait longer before starting lessons tbh. An hours lesson is going to make you ache like hell anyway if you werent riding fit before.

good luck all the expectant mummies - it is SO amazing being a mummy and your life doesnt end either

 

[AprilBlossom]

I spent 3 weeks at home feeling like death, but have recently learnt that I was borderline requiring a blood transfusion! I then just 'snapped' back into it as everything became completely normal, riding, sleeping (bar a short waking to feed once) etc.

The more you just try and take it all as it comes, the easier it is IMO. Congratulations by the way, and best of luck with the rest of the pregnancy

 

[aimsymc]

I was back on my girlie after 3 days!! Just for a walk around to prove to myself i could do it (people kept saying "oh you shouldnt" or "youll never manage") Started again riding properly after about 2 weeks. Guess it depends on how things go with birth etc. Hope everything goes well for you and youll be back in the saddle in no time

 

[nillynoo]

It'll just be half hour private lessons for a start - I need to check I still remember which end of the horse is which

 

[Ranyhyn]

Nsn and ab, my breath of fresh air!!!

 

[noblesteed]

I started riding again 4 weeks ago when baby was 11 weeks old. Just gently and not every day, but I am now up to rising trot, hour hacks and on saturday I managed my first schooling session which was VERY tiring! At first I felt like jelly and it hurt 'down there' a lot... also getting on and off was tricky!!!
I had a tough time of my pregnancy - pretty horrendous birth - long labour, stitches etc as well as symphis pubis dysfunction (where your pelvis comes apart too early and too much) which gave me sciatica and a trapped nerve and a walking stick... All was fine for the first 4 months when I was able to keep riding at least every other day... then I got ill and had to stop for the rest of my pregnancy. Physio said it would take at least 3 months to mend my pelvis - it isn't quite right now so I haven't to fall off! BUT I have post-natal depression so the doctors advised me to get back on my horse asap to sort my head out.

I expected it to be hard to find babysitters - rest assured that your OH or the doting grandparents will be only TOO keen to have your little bubba to themselves for a couple of hours ... mine tell me to take as long as I want! So do NOT worry there!

 

[nillynoo]

Lol, I'm planning (desperately hoping) to breastfeed, and if I go riding within the first 12 weeks, granny and bubs will have to come with so I'm not too far away (sounds like breastfed babies are pretty much constantly 'plugged in' for the first three months) but after that and we have the hang of expressing, then I'll be good to go for longer lessons/pony sniffing at the riding school. I'm just going to play it by ear I think - who knows how I'm going to feel afterwards, but right now I am pretty much lusting after getting back on a horse. Not missing wine or soft cheese in the slightest, but horses, yes!

 

[allowayhorses]

I'm glad to read that some of you have got back on the horses quite soon after baby. I'm 28 weeks and still riding. I assume that I'll be able to get back on my horse fairly quickly after the birth as long as there are no complications.

I agree about the do good brigade...I have so many people telling me I should stop riding now and I'm sure they'll have something to say after I give birth too. It is usually non horsey people though who have the issues!!!

Good luck with your pregnancy, I can't wait for it to be over as I'm not enjoying it one bit x

 

[Ranyhyn]

I agree about the do good brigade...I have so many people telling me I should stop riding now and I'm sure they'll have something to say after I give birth too. It is usually non horsey people though who have the issues!!!

Good luck with your pregnancy, I can't wait for it to be over as I'm not enjoying it one bit x

Yep, the most vociferous people about what I will and wont be doing are non horsey! They tell me how life will be so hard, so disrupted, long hours...they clearly haven't experienced having a sheep farm...
I haven't enjoyed my pregnancy at all, though on the grand scheme of things I haven't suffered much. I am literally counting down the minutes! 4weeks 4 days ... and hoping I don't go overdue!

 

[NeverSayNever]

i didnt enjoy being pregnant either ladies, hated it and I really had very little physically to complain about For me that was a blessing when i came to labour, I wasnt in least bit scared of it as it meant THE END of pregnancy! Whooop! I do think those who proclaim how hard it will be are those who look at you with your existing life (farm, animals, dogs, horses etc) and secretly spew green in envy wondering how you fit it all in already. But imho people like us, already used to a busy life and caring for animals cope better. What is it they say? If you want something doing, ask a busy person? It is not rocket science, its a baby. I was waaaay more tired when I was pregnant than I am now, Im blessed with a really easy baby and am bottle feeding though. And ladies, rest assured.. if in those first few weeks it doesnt feel like it cos you feel a bit ***** with being a bit sore and hormonal, remember this, it is SO worth it and it will suddenly hit you one day like a tonne of bricks how wonderful it is. When my wee boy smiled at me for the first time at 6 weeks old I have never felt anything like it.