I am now hanging out in week 21 of pregnancy, and you will hopefully see more posts of me cycling with my bump as soon as the weather goes back under -20C. At this point in time my chain is actually stuck to its gear!
For now, thanks to S for providing G&B with a much needed infusion of cycling.
{Dec. 2010, cycling at 8 weeks pregnant}
Hi! I'm S. and I am the author behind Simply Bike. I was thrilled when Miss Sarah asked me to contribute a regular series of guest posts on cycling while pregnant as the subject is near and dear to me: I was cycling with my own little bun in the oven not that long ago. My daughter just turned five months old this January and it often feels like it was just yesterday that I was riding my bike with her still in my bourgeoning baby belly, excitedly awaiting her arrival.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. Miss Sarah asked me to reflect on some of the thoughts I had while cycling as a pregnant woman and I think I will start at the beginning; the first trimester.
{Jan. 2011, cycling at 12 weeks pregnant}
The first trimester was a wonderful time for cycling for me. My body was still relatively unmarked by the pregnancy and I only suffered from mild nausea mostly in the evenings. It was winter and cold, and the fresh, crisp air felt good. I was often tired but cycling offered me a way to stay active and fit in spite of that since it felt less strenuous than running. Looking back on that first trimester, I can only remember feeling able and excited.
As my body changed and my belly grew, I had to increasingly make accommodations to stay comfortable and safe on the road. But that first trimester was unmarked by those concerns: I was ecstatic to be growing new life inside of me and I relished each day on my bike, in my changing yet still very much familiar body.
{Feb. 2011, cycling at 3.5 months pregnant}
My advice for new moms-to-be who are interested in cycling or continuing with an exercise regime during pregnancy is as follows: First, check with your health care provider to make sure you are cleared for exercising, and second, listen to your gut. I heard from so many people who either cheered me on and lauded my efforts to stay active, or expressed concern at best and scorn in the more extreme cases. The pregnant body is a public body in our culture and even strangers feel comfortable giving pregnant women their unsolicited advice. But here is my unsolicited advice for you: don’t get bogged down by the myriad of opinions expressed by others who are not you and who do not know how you. Staying fit and active is healthy for both you and the baby and if your body is giving you the green light to walk, run, cycle, swim, etc, then listen to it and do what feels good to you and the baby.
I’m thankful that I had a very supportive husband and some wonderful midwives who encouraged me to stay active and fit. And if I’d only known then, in those first couple of months, that I would be propelling my pregnant body forward with an extra 20, 30, and ultimately, 40 lbs by the end of it, I think I would have relished those first unencumbered weeks even more. First trimester cycling = a great way to set the stage for a healthy and happy pregnancy.
Happy cycling!
S.
7 comments:
Thanks for this post! I am around 23 weeks pregnant and unfortunately I haven't cycled since about 8 or 9 weeks. I had a lot of early morning nausea, which was when I had to go to work, so biking to work was not so feasible. Now that it's winter my bike is really not equipped to ride. I can't wait to get back on the bike this summer once my baby is born!
I love that there are ladies out there cycling while pregnant! I cycled (& walked on days when my balance and/or nausea was not good) through both my pregnancies (my 2nd child was born only 4 weeks ago).
My OB told me that was one of the reasons I had drug free, straight forward, natural births both times. Cycling is great for your endurance, body strength and sense of well-being. As long as you feel comfortable doing it, don't listen to the naysayers. Pedal away and stay active!
This cruiser is what happens when you mix a classical-styled bicycle with a vibrant color pallet Hermosa Beach.
cruiser bikes
Living in Denmark I see pregnant women on their bikes every day and most keep on biking untill their bellies get in the way.
I found this last week and wanted to show it to you: Cycling with contractions http://www.copenhagenize.com/2011/09/cycling-with-contractions-to-hospital.html
I wouldn't want to do that though. If I were in the situation - not owning a car nor having the money to pay for a taxi, I would demand that my boyfriend borrowed a cargo bike, so that I wouldn't have to ride my bike to the hospital!
Isabelle - Oh, I don't envy you with the neausea:( I had some heartburn, and a strange hungry but always feeling full (gas?) feeling, but no actual barfs.
Looking forward to seeing you and baby out in the warmer months!
Vee - Congrats on the new baby! I hope my 2nd delivery is as "no prob" as the 1st one too.
Mette - I figured it was normal everywhere else except here, where having a baby somehow means you've contracted some sort of disease and you can't go out anymore.
I saw that post too, and good for her! My main concern would be how the bike gets back to my place the day after. Even if I could TO the hospital, I'm not sure how confident I would be riding FROM the hospital... depending on how things went.
I absolutely agree with your assessment that a cargo bike would have been most welcome in this instance:)
Cycling is healthy during pregnancy? If yes I will follow you. present am 12 weeks pregnant.
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