Riding Whilst pregnant???

[Fletchersmum]

Just wondered how many of you have ridden whilst preggers and up to how many months? Then when did you start riding again after baby was born?

A friend of mine rode when she was 8 months gone, against advice from midwife and GP. She was tiny upfront which meant she could get on and off easily, but what if she had fallen off?? and then was riding again a week after the baby was born.

 

[kombikids]

we had this argument at a dinner part on friday - my friend and i both have a small child each we are both 20/s/early 30s - she rode whilst pregnant and i didnt. My husband called her selfish for risking the babies life but she said that if she didnt ride she would resent the baby... interesting debate...

 

[Blue-bear]

I have known both, 1 riding up until the very end and then back on straight after and have a friend who is pregnant at the moment who stopped riding as soon as she found out. Personal preference i guess. On the subject of resenting the baby, my friendd at the moment is so desperate to ride, shes finding it really hard.

 

[teddyt]

Someone said to me once that you wouldnt ride with a baby strapped to you on the outside, so why ride when its inside.

 

[Fletchersmum]

I do actually know of someone who rode with a baby in a sling when just a few months old, swore blind it was ok as the horse was "safe as houses" Totally bonkers!

 

[gails]

I chose not to ride, Dexter was not a novice ride and I would have not forgiven myself had I damaged her by riding, however I would not even ride a school master, I just do not think it is worth the risk. I was still lunging and mucking out and grooming, so still getting a bit of horsey fix.

I have a friend who rode right to the end, and she was much bigger in the pregnancy department than me, but again I really do not think it is worth the risk.

As to resenting the baby, that is why I had an elected C-section, natural child birth is a much bigger reason to resent

 

[samstar]

I rode with my first pregnancy until 5 months but then I knew my pony back then inside out.

 

[hallarider]

I didn't ride whilst I was pregnant. Its suited me though as they were both youngsters. I don't think I would ride if I got pregnant again though. Horses are just too unpredictable and pregnancy is such a gift.

 

[Fletchersmum]

See Im on the fence here, as a Midwife I know that its prob not recommended and pregnancy is very special and precious (to most people), but on the other hand I could not see myself not sitting on my neddy for 9 miserable months..then I suppose it does go quickly, and if you timed it right over the winter months......not that Im planning anything yet!!!

 

[moocow]

When I first found out, I continued to ride as normal - went to riding camp etc but that was just till I was bout 7 weeks. I think really eased back and just did hacking at a walk till I was about 4 months and then stopped altogether.

 

[melaniemarks]

I rode up to when I was 6 months pregnant. My oldish fuddy duddy GP was absolutely horrified, but my midwife said it was fine to do so. Even said it was good for me as it toned the muscles requred for child birth. I must add the horse I rode was an absolute gent and never put a foot wrong. I wouldn't have sat on anything less...

 

[davejoiner]

I didn't better safe than sorry plus i didn't know what to expect as first full term pregnancy, but hated not riding think if everything was ok with next pregnancy i would ride but only my boy who's a gent and take up dressage for a few months. My midwife said it was fine to ride aslong as you didn't take any risks i.e a new horse, jumping.

 

[Bowen4Horses]

i'm currently 6 months pregnant. and i'm still riding. in fact, i bought a new horse a couple of months ago and it's him i'm riding.

this is my third child, and i chose not to ride when pregnant with the other two. however, i have felt safe enough to ride during this one.

i went on a sponsored ride on the weekend, and i got a few dirty looks from people.

i think it's the individual's choice. i would certainly not say i'm being selfish. i'm not a selfish person. in fact i'm quite the opposite. i'm sensible, i'd stop and get off as soon as i felt there was any risk.

i think people saying it's selfish, or you don't care about the baby etc... should consider what they are saying.

as a parent, should i not ride? i could fall off and die. that would be far more destructive for my family. should i not let my 2yr old, or my 11yr old ride? in case they fall off?

my last pregnancy was awful, and i was very ill. my midwife told me to keep active during this one. she's a horse person, and she said it's fine.

i would like to reinforce the fact that my horse is absolutely bombproof (seriously) and i would not ride him if he wasn't.

 

[charlie55]

I rode between 3 and 7 months as recommended by my midwife

If i went against her and something bad happened i would never have forgiven myself!!

 

[keeperscottage]

I intended to ride until I hatched but unfortunately my horse went lame two weeks before my daughter was born (at home) so the matter was taken out of my hands, so to speak! I was back down the yard when my daughter was a couple of days old and out riding properly by the time she was two and a half weeks old. My friend entered a showing class with her jacket tightly buttoned over her bump; the judge asked her when her baby was due and she truthfully replied "Five days ago"........they chucked her out of the class.......

 

[UKa]

Hello, I personally rode during the whole of my first pregnancy right until a week before baby came - I then gave up because my horse went lame... and was back on 2 weeks after as soon as it was comfortable given that I had quite a bit of stitching... this time I just had to put on a temporary stop of 3 weeks due to horse having another problem (am currently just under 8 mths pregnant with second baby). Horse is fine again and I am not sure yet whether or not to get back on now just because I am sort of "out of practice" if that makes sense...and horse has ongoing back problems so that if I took a break it would probably even be beneficial to her in the long run so don't feel so much under pressure for her sake.

Well, in general I think it is a very individual and personal decision to make. I would not get on another horse but mine (had her for 6 years now) and I would not jump or do any competitions etc during the whole of pregnancy or otherwise go wild while riding. It is a risk that you can fall but to me the risk is as low as getting run over by a car or falling down the stairs at home... others think differently. I think as long as you are healthy you can decide if and how long to carry on the body has a way of telling you what is too much. If there are medical problems it is a different matter altogether,

 

[Bowen4Horses]

i agree with UKa ^^

your body tells you when it's time to stop... i'm starting to get 'told'. and my poor horse is starting to wonder where my balance has gone!

 

[UKa]

[ QUOTE ]
I
As to resenting the baby, that is why I had an elected C-section, natural child birth is a much bigger reason to resent

[/ QUOTE ]

sorry, I find this a strange comment to make...

 

[The Bouncing Bog Trotter]

I rode in both pregnancies up to the point where my body said stop. In my first pregnancy I rode until I was 5 months but carried on with daily care of my horse up to giving birth. In my second pregnancy I rode until I was about 6 months and I was having twins. I stopped jumping as soon as I found out (well almost, I went XC schooling when about 7 weeks) and stopped hacking at about 4 months. I had very easy pregnancies and had the full support of my midwife, GP and Consultant (with the twins). Having said that I knew my horse inside out having had him since weaning (now in early teens) and he is a very safe ride.

When I was pregnant with the twins I tried to fiind a suitable loan home and I know I terrified one 'expert' who came with a potential loaner. With the twins I looked a lot more pregnant than I was and, as I waddled out with the tack, she asked who was going to be riding him to 'show him off'. When I grabbed my hat and heaved myself on board she was almost paralysed with shock. She did say that it proved my horse was sensible though!

I think you have to listen to your own body (and your horse) and take on board informed, professional advice. Gentle exercise is good for pregnant women but you do need to ensure that you are safe. It is very much personal choice - you should do what is right for you, taking into account your particular pregnancy, and what is right for your baby. Grandparents-to-be and partners often have views too (!) and you need to take these onboard.

In both pregnancies I had a c-section but was riding after about 6 weeks.

 

[Arabelle]

QR I didn't realise I was pregnant til 20 weeks gone (bit thick I know, esp as she was my 3rd - didn't have pony for first 2). I reckoned as I had been fine riding up until then, I might as well keep on going - I did steady up a fair bit though.

Totally personal decision, but any man who tried to tell me I was selfish for riding while pregnant would get a sharp response

A

 

[Weezy]

I didn't ride when I was pregnant, but that was because I could hardly walk

I would have ridden if I hadn't been so ill and getting out of bed took me the best part of an hour!

 

[janeyrob]

I was two weeks late - desperate! trotting round didn't help though! still had to be induced!! That was nearly 30 years ago. Child concerned is a pilot now but also a jolly good rider and a great support to his horse mad mum. take care, keep fit and listen to advice - a child is precious. As to riding soon after - again, depends on the individual. some are out there again quickly others of us will be spending time with our new child. It is so easy to feel inadequate in this life because of what others do. Do what is right and safe for you.

 

[Taboo1968]

I rode all the way through with my daughter, but then again I had a pig headed husband back then who would have wrapped me up in cotton wool (more like locked me away from all contact with any human) so my selfish pig headed stubborn side came out and I was still enjoying riding up to a week before the daughter arrived.... with my son, I didn't ride, but two days after exiting the hospital I was back in the saddle much to the horror of the inlaws!!!!

You have to do what you feel safe doing!

 

[marmalade76]

I rode up to 8 months when pregnant with my first child, I did 2 hunter trials, one at 2 months, the other at 4 months ( came 1st and 2nd!) and did some show jumping. I went on a fun ride at 7 months but only jumped one tiny jump! I then stopped jumping. I did some show jumping at 5 months with my second and then stopped riding because I got a lot bigger (he was 2lb heavier than my first) However, I did ride my horse to the vets and back for his vacinations at 7 months. My horse is safe and I would not have ridden just anything.
I have a friend who was bucked off at 6 months with no ill effect, she was very silly though as her horse had been on box rest.
When discussing riding when pregnant with my doctor, she made this comment-"of course you lot (meaning horsey people) have to be half dead before you'll come to us".
I started riding again about 2 months after birth but not often enough to get my horse fit enough for competing!