Pregnant . . . and still riding

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melle

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I am 30 weeks pregnant and am still riding although I won't be for much longer I don't think.

However lots of people have warned me that by doing so I am likely to have quite a difficult birth - something to do with riding tightening certain muscles.

How true is this? Not long to go now and I am getting worried!!
 
Utter b*ll*cks... The fitter you are the better your labour will be... the stronger the muscles in your abdo etc the better...

Blitz
(A medical dr)
 
I don't think it has any real influence - it will vary person to person as with everything else.

My friend was also told this when she was pregnant. She carried on riding all the way through her pregnancy and in fact was at the yard when the contractions started. She made it to hospital (just) and had the easiest labour with no pain relief!

Wishing you just as easy a time x
 
Rubbish! If you are comfortable (and on a safe conveyance) keep doing it!
I have had 4 - first and 3rd were relatively lengthy births - especially first (often the way) 2nd was an hour (once in labour ward) and 4th (20 mins) I rode up to 6 days before rounding up cattle!!
 
Actually I would imagine it would help if anything surely it keeps your back, pelvis area etc loose and relaxed??
I rode throughout most of my pregnancy, I stopped at about 30 weeks but only because there was a bad accident involving horses from my yard (mine being one of them ridden by a friend) and i decided it too risky for me esp as my horse wasn't bombproof push button easy so i stopped then but if your happy i can only think its a good thing!
 
Thanks everyone - feel a bit more posistive now. She went beautifully in the school the other day. I think I have maybe a few more weeks riding to go before I am too knackered! Was just concerned I wasn't doing myself any favours. Am terrified of the birth as it is!!
 
IMHO just carry on with what you are comfortable with..my first I stopped riding about 16 weeks as felt so uncomfortable my second rode till about 30/31 weeks then could do no more bumps and pommels :eek: dismounting a 17:3 beast :eek: but I was still mucking out twice a day 3 days before baby arrived albeit slowly:D just don't overdo it especially towards the end you need your strength:)
 
I was told the same thing - apparently the perineum is more likely to tear as you are more toned. Thought it was utter balls, but ended up with a 3rd/4th degree tear! Probably coincidence though. Despite the massive tear ( straight through from one side to the other for those of you who aren't medical, basically a tear through from vagina to rectum. TMI!) I had no incontinence at all (doctors said it was pretty much unheard of with such a large tear). That was DEFINATELY due to riding - more toned muscles and you are less likely to suffer leaks!
 
Do read up about 'optimal foetal positioning' - if you can find anything by Dr Jean Sutton or better listen to one of her lectures, she is great.
Basically in order to minimse the risk of your baby not presenting correctly and to facilitate a smooth and comfortable birth there are various methods you can follow to make things easier for you and your baby.
 
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