Riding when pregnant... calling all women?

[Syrah]

QR

I gave up straight away with both of my pregnancies. The risk, no matter how small, wasn't worth it for me.

After my first pregnancy it was about a year before I rode again. A number of reasons, I spent a couple of hours in surgery after giving birth as I haemorrhaged badly with a detached cord and retained placenta, I also had a 3rd degree tear as they had to get baby out quick with no time for an epidural or to get me into theatre for a c-sec.

With my 2nd, I could have got back into the saddle very quickly but haven't due to time ( a 2yr old aswell as a new baby) and lack of anyone to look after my children. Although watch this space, Thursday next week looks a good day ;-)

It's entirely personal choice as to wether you ride whilst pregnant.

It's also how you feel as to how quickly you are back in the saddle afterwards. Don't feel pressured because Jo Bloggs rode until they were in labour or jumped back in the saddle 10 minutes after giving birth.

There is no right or wrong.

 

[Perce]

i rode til i was a huge 7 1/2 months but limited my riding to flatwork and road, track or school work. no hacks on the open common or communal hacks or jumping, not after 4 months anyway! but.....
.. i knew my horse very well and that was what i felt safe to do on her. a friend with 3 kids hated it every time i got on board!

now i have my son i'm not so sure i would take any risks as he is far more precious to me than i could ever have imagined pre-child!

had i been riding my younger horse i would not have felt safe to ride her at all pregnant, but then as a youngster, i didn;t feel safe riding her not pregnant!!

so.. depends on
...the horse you ride
...the environment you ride in
...how hard it was to get pregnant in the first place
...how willing you are to take any risks with your pregnancy
...how your family feels
...your riding experience and level of fitness

only you can decide and as long as you don't take silly risks what ever you do should be fine and your call.

be warned though, unless you have a groom handy and a nanny, once you have the child you'll never have the time to ride again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

good luck

 

[tasel]

Wondered about this for the future...

I would probably continue for a few months, then my mare would either be ridden by someone else (full livery) or be put into foal and have some time off.

 

[keeperscottage]

I was determined to ride until I "hatched" but unfortunately my horse went lame two weeks before my daughter was born - I was SOOO angry!!! I felt cheated!!! I had my daughter at home, was mucking out a couple of days later and back riding after two and a half weeks. A friend kept riding even longer than I managed; she entered a Family Pony class at a local show with her hacking jacket buttoned up tightly over her bump. The Judge asked her when her baby was due, to which my friend replied truthfully "Five days ago!"........the Judge told her to leave the arena!

 

[the watcher]

I rode up until 8 months or so and only stopped because I simply couldn't get off any more without flinging myself off the horse. As has been said, it depends on a lot of factors, your horse, the type of riding you do, how well you are and of course what your doctor has to say on the matter.

 

[luckilotti]

havent had chance to read the replies but when i found out i was expecting, i decided not to ride - for the best really as just over a week later i was told i could miscarry (i had ridden a rather stroppy mare the day before i found out i was pregnant!) good job i didnt ride really as it turned out i was having two babies!
anyway, i just dont think its worth the risk, i know i couldnt bare it if i put my unborn baby at risk (and horse riding is a risk no matter how bombproof your mount is)
hope it all goes well!