Some questions for those who have given birth please

SuperH

SuperH

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My friends who have had children either don't ride or had given up horse ownership before they had children.

I know that everyone is different but I am really clueless and would like some idea of what is and isn't realistic.

I would like to know how long before birth were you able to do stable management jobs such as muck out, groom, turn out etc and how soon after birth you were able to start again. If you could also tell me the type of birth you had that would be helpful.

I'm also interested to know when you rode again afterwards, I'm talking light hacking really, I have no school and hacking is our main pleasure.

I'm not on a yard so I have noone who can help me and I'm just trying to think of some options for my two. Thanks in advance.
 
I mucked out all 4 of mine until the day before I had my son!

I wasn't supposed to ride until my 6 week check up, as I had a C section. I tried the day before - not clever :D Took a while before I ha any sort of core strength back.

I needed a lot of help for the first few weeks as I couldn't lift or carry anything.

I think if I'd had a VB I wouldn't have needed so much help - but until you've done it, you don't know how things will go, so having help in place if necessary is pretty important :)
 
I was still doing all stable duties right up untill the onset of labour with both of my kids, although it was more difficult with the second as I was much larger, both births were natural, no drugs, was cut with the first but not with second which incidently was more painfull and took a good few days to recover from before I was back at the yard and a couple months before riding but with my first I was back doing horses the next day and riding after about 2 weeks

Do NOT push yourself though, everyone is different, just listen to your body x
 
rowan666 said:
I was still doing all stable duties right up untill the onset of labour with both of my kids, although it was more difficult with the second as I was much larger, both births were natural, no drugs, was cut with the first but not with second which incidently was more painfull and took a good few days to recover from before I was back at the yard and a couple months before riding but with my first I was back doing horses the next day and riding after about 2 weeks

Do NOT push yourself though, everyone is different, just listen to your body x
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Same here, but it depends on your level of fitness. I didn't show too much before, and my stomach muscles twanged back into shape the minute my son was out. I still found mucking out was a bit painful for the first week after birth. Take it steady, and don't do too much heavy lifting for the first 2 weeks.
 
I had and emergency c section in 2012 and a planned c sec in 2014.
I managed okay ish in late pregnancy.
No issues with stable etc and turn out tho horse was living out for my first birth as summer. Second section horse was in as winter. I organised a friend to do horse for 2 weeks after birth but I was up maybe 3 or 4 days after both sections just to see horse etc.
I could do water buckets etc maybe 4 weeks after sections tho it probably isn't recommended. I was back on horse 5 weeks after births but would that was due to having c section as I physically couldn't get on ththe horse before that!!
Started with light hacking. All fine. I never really had any issues that caused me major problems apart from the lifting side.
I also got dumped off 7 weeks after the first c sec. charming!!!!!
 
I have young children 5 and 8 but have only had my own horse in the last year so pregnancy and babies wasn't something I've needed to think about for myself.

However a friend at our yard has recently had a baby and she managed to do all stable duties right up the onset of labour, and then I looked after her horse for 2 weeks, but she came up everyday to see her. I think she started riding again 3 maybe 4 weeks after! We have a great group of us at the stables so if she's lunging or schooling her mare then someone is always keen to have a cuddle or watch baby.

I think if you have a good support group around you it can be great, baby out in the fresh air, happy horse and happy mummy 😀

Sorry just read that you were on your own at yard have you got some one who can come with you to look after baby while you do yard duties??
 
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Are you pregnant? When are you due? I was fine first pregnancy, wasn't mucking out as was summer, rode until 32 weeks. Although horse was on restricted work so I stopped as he felt a bit lively! I would have said I had an easy pregnancy until pre eclampsia hit and continued as normal, walking advanced xc courses etc the week before. Normal birth, 5 hours labour which is very short considering i was induced 2 weeks early. Post birth 3 weeks in i did my back, didn't leave the house for 3 weeks as couldn't stand longer than a minute. Took 3 month until I sat on again, but everything had to be done very carefully. I should have left it longer.

Second time around now and already 17 weeks in i have a bigger bump (didn't show til 25 weeks last time ) and feeling the strain more, and worried my back will go again, so pre emptively seeing a physio. Still riding, hoping this time as I'm doing schooling and proper riding rather than walk rehab that I can stay riding and fitter a bit longer.

Did pole dancing for a 18 months between pregnancies so I'm hoping I've strengthened my core and all the important stuff!
 
I had two weeks off from the birth, while the horse was on full livery, then was back to doing everything myself. I had some fantastic support from a couple of friends who would hold baby while I handled the horse. But she was strapped to me in a baby carrier or asleep in the push chair for mucking out. To be honest, I think I might have sat on the sofa and rotted if I hadn't had the horse to get me out and about. I didn't ride for a few weeks though, and I couldn't have done it without the friends because turnout meant walking a few hundred yards to the field & then back. I was back at work and baby was at nursery at 5 months so it wasn't for too long either.
 
Management wise summer babies are easier as you don't worry about them being cold etc. I had a winter baby and aside from back injury did mucking out. Mini SF either slept in the car for half an hour whilst I mucked out, or lay on rugs in the hay bar lol.
 
I put my mares in foal when I was pregnant but I continued doing the sheep right up to giving birth. I was massive when I was pregnant so I probably couldn't have ridden, but could have pretty quickly afterwards. I know people that have hunted right up until their due date.

After the birth its all about organisation and how much you want to do it really. I didn't have any help at all but still managed to ride and do all the usual management stuff. I did have my horses at home though.
 
I was working till 2 weeks before. Summer baby so no mucking out. I had quite a long dramatic birth,( sunny side up) ended up with a deep episiotomy and tearing. Stitches then unraveled at the far side, and I had a hole in my leg that looked like a bullet wound as a result.

But even with all of that, I was riding again within 6 weeks, schooling & cantering the first time I rode. Your body is an amazing thing, but give yourself however long you need.
 
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I have the utmost admiration for ladies that get back on. Just amazing. All your stories are inspiring.

I was riding up until 6 months, I cleaned the car the day before I was induced and still doing all normal things. Then it was hell. Three days I laboured then emergency c. Infection did not help. Those first weeks were a struggle... out went the plans of riding by 6 weeks. I started riding again after about 4 months.

So that's how it went for me. It's definitely a good idea to plan ahead for all eventualities. I agreed for grass livery for my filly and she ran with a herd. I occasionally saw her by the gate but other than that I let her go feral.
 
I'm currently 36+3 weeks, I'm having a planned section and ive managed perfectly well all summer.
I stopped riding when I started treatment (ivf) as I didn't want to risk anything. I've put my boy on winter grass livery, there's no way I could manage mucking out twice a day and exercising, nets, feeds etc. This is my first baby and apart from the fact I won't be able to drive, I don't want to push myself to the detriment of my health and family and pony!!
So I've taken the easy option, he'll come back in the spring after a nice break and we can get going again.
I've struggled bending down, lifting heavy things etc these past 3 weeks or so. I'm glad I've sent him on his holidays.
I'd agree with the others and say don't push yourself. You have your own place?? Could you winter yours out??
 
It's worth having a plan for you needing help from say 6 weeks before to 6 weeks after - you might not need it - but if you do then trying to work it out while in hospital/ screaming baby isn't ideal. My first I gave birth at 29 weeks and was in hospital with him for 3 months solid (away from home!) - a very rare scenario but I had help lined up that had to start sooner than I planned! I actually popped back for a sanity hack about 2 weeks after - riding was fine but I couldn't lean forward to get off! After that I didn't try again for about another month.
Second I had emergency C section and could barely get off the sofa for 2 weeks let alone muck out!
 
Mine were/are on 24/7 DIY livery, I used to poo pick daily. I rode up to 32weeks with the 1st and 28wks with 2nd. Ventouse delivery with 1st and no tears, back in the saddle after 8 days and did a low key dressage test 6 weeks later. Natural home birth for the 2nd and got back on a bit soon and had to stop as I started bleeding again. Climbing over the 5 barred gate helped to give the slow progressing labour a kick start! LOL

I popped baby into a sling whilst poo picking then in the pram whilst schooling in the field. At weekends I filled them up with milk and left hubby charge to nip off for a hour hack. :)

Everyone is different and will have a different experience. The most important thing is to listen to your body.
 
Thank you that is a huge help reading your experiences as like I said I'm clueless!

I think I've timed it quite well (by luck more than anything, this has been 4 years and 7 rounds of treatment coming) as I'm due late April/early May so I'm hoping it will be dry enough to be able to just turn them out if I'm struggling. They are kept on our farm, although we live a mile down the road. My husband is on hand but he is going to be doing the work with the 400 odd cattle without worrying about my two so I would like to keep things as easy as possible for him. When we have our annual 10 days off I employ a freelance groom, so she will hopefully be able to cover for me as and when needed, it is good to have an idea of how much I would be using her and how much to put aside for her!

I've got my eye on a couple of events in late August/early Sept so I'm hoping that will be realistic. I'm fairly easy going though and I can go with the flow without it stressing me out (unlike my sister who needs a detailed plan at all times!) so that should see me through.
 
SuperH said:
Thank you that is a huge help reading your experiences as like I said I'm clueless!

I think I've timed it quite well (by luck more than anything, this has been 4 years and 7 rounds of treatment coming) as I'm due late April/early May so I'm hoping it will be dry enough to be able to just turn them out if I'm struggling. They are kept on our farm, although we live a mile down the road. My husband is on hand but he is going to be doing the work with the 400 odd cattle without worrying about my two so I would like to keep things as easy as possible for him. When we have our annual 10 days off I employ a freelance groom, so she will hopefully be able to cover for me as and when needed, it is good to have an idea of how much I would be using her and how much to put aside for her!

I've got my eye on a couple of events in late August/early Sept so I'm hoping that will be realistic. I'm fairly easy going though and I can go with the flow without it stressing me out (unlike my sister who needs a detailed plan at all times!) so that should see me through.
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Congratulations :)

Sounds like you are sorted, so nothing to worry about!
 
Wow congratulations, Both mine were born April and it's a fab time of year not really hot or cold so perfect for little baby to enjoy the outdoors!!!
 
I did most things throughout pregnancy. I intended to keep riding but had to stop due to hip pain, around 4-5 months in. I did pay someone else to do my poo picking, but other than that carried on as before as regards yard duties. The only issue I had was a tendency to get home from work, sit down for a minute and fall asleep. My YO at the time was great and would keep an eye out and chuck in a haynet etc if needed.

I first got back on 6 weeks after the birth. It was my birthday, a lovely sunny day, so I said what the heck and went for a hack! My main post-birth problem was mounting, I had no bounce and basically had to be level with the saddle. I had a good birth, fairly short labour in a birthing pool with no drugs or other interventions. Only some very minimal external tearing.

Just after the birth I had about 2 weeks when I didn't want to leave the house or see anyone except my OH. Sort of post-natal agrophobia. Luckily my yard were already set up to put my horse on full livery for a bit if needed in case of birth complications so they were okay to do him. I would have been physically capable of doing most stable duties about 3 days after the birth, it was primarily a mental thing.
 
With my first I was in part livery so did not need to do anything but was still able to lead, fill buckets rug etc till a few days before my daughter was born. I ended up having a C section, was a wreck after and only drove after 4 weeks and couldn't even get out of a chair unaided! There is no way I could have cared for a horse. I rode after about 3 months.

Second child I was renting a field with another person by then so doing all duties. My horse lived out so that helped. I was fine before had my son and had a sharer who I text when I went into labour so she took care of horse for the next week, I was in hospital for 4 days (ended up with another section). Recovered better and was able to feed and hay after a week but had to be driven there and poo picking was not on the cards for another week or so.

In the end my horse went, with a baby and a toddler it was impossible. If I had time to poo pick feed there was no time to ride. Also on 1 income as I did not go back to work after my second we could not afford a horse. My advice would be to put a horse on loan or with a good sharer. Otherwise you end up selling/putting on loan a horse that has barely been ridden for months. You can always get them back if you feel you have the time and money!
 
Hi op, congrats :). My dd is now 1 and we're brewing no. 2. Rode til I was 7.5 months with dd only stopped as big guy injured himself :(, but was only pottering about by then anyway. As for jobs mucked out the day I gave birth.

Birth was cut and stitched (a lot, very bruised :(, arnica tablets really helped). Back grooming after 24 hrs. Haynets after 1 week, putting bed down at 5 weeks, fully mucked out six weeks back in saddle by eight weeks, back walk trot canter and lessons by week 10.

Do what you feel you can and get help if possible. I'm lucky on lovely livery yard where they do full livery so had option of help which was brill since I walked like John Wayne for a fortnight! :). Hoping second time round will have less stitches :).

As other's have said every one is different as is every birth. Good luck.
 
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