Riding in early pregnancy - were you nervous?

[Scotts123]

I just found out that I am expecting our first child. This is a long, LONG awaited pregnancy (6 years!), and I am actually rather shocked - I had kind of given up at this point! I'm about 5.5 weeks.

I have always had every intention of continuing to ride, at least for the first few months before I have to worry about changing center of gravity, etc. My DH supports me in this and trusts my judgement as far as what I can safely do. Imagine my surprise when I head to the barn, and just feel *funny* about getting on. It's not like I'm really any more pregnant than I was last week when I rode before I knew. I ended up not riding, but even on the ground I just felt nervous.

I am hoping that next week after our first ultrasound, when I see that this is actually happening and that everything is (hopefully) looking good, that I will feel better about riding. Did anyone ever feel nervous while the news was sinking in, but then feel fine with riding once they got a little more used to the idea?

I'm not going to ride if I can't feel confident doing so, because I know that is a good way to end up getting hurt. But I really would like to ride for another month or so, and enjoy the rest of the fall! I am happy that the timing means that the time that I will be out of commission will be our lovely Western NY winter and early spring, and even though I could probably ride longer, I'm not thinking I'll have the motivation come January and 4-5 months pregnant! :D

[Char]

You should talk to your OB about this. Personally, I would wait on riding until after the ultrasound. If everything is looking good, make sure that you ask your doctor about riding. I did, and mine told me to avoid lots of trotting work, other than that, I could do what I wanted on the flat as long as I was comfortable.

I would say that any jumping should probably cease. As for only being out of commission while you are big, fat pregnant, you may have a rude awakening after the little cherub is born. :lol:

I didn't get to go back to riding until mine was over a year old. Some of that was due to lack of a babysitter, some of that was due to exhaustion from sleepless nights, and exhaustion from running around and taking care of an infant/toddler.

Good luck, and congratulations on the newest addition to your family! :yes:

[May the FORCE bwu]

Congrats! I rode 4/5 days per week on my very safe dressage horse (no jumping, galloping etc....) until I was about 6 months pregnant. I carried my baby very low so when my belly started to touch the pommel of my saddle and that was it for me..plus mounting was very funny to watch...tee-hee........My friend rode through her 8th month......she said the passage/piaffe helped her ease her back pain.....again - would never ride anyone other than my horse.....you have to see how YOU feel...........but my OB/GYN said that because my abdominal muscles were in such great shape - delivery was easy for me and he would love to recommend riding to all his patients! Use your jugement and enjoy!

[Tex Mex]

I was so nervous when I first found out, and I had to go straight to a horse show! It took me a couple days but I decided that I was going to commit to being fully in the moment while riding. You are not going to hurt your baby just by doing the things you normally do, but if you can't get your head focused then you might not be safe to ride. Once I let go of the nerves, I was fine! I ended up finally quitting at 3 1/2 months.

[nrg]

Congratulations! :D

When I first found out I was pregnant, I wouldn't say I was nervous about riding, but it did make me think about my riding more and be more aware of what I was doing. I was more nervous about handling horses that weren't mine, since you never can predict when someone will spook and knock into you (not that my horse wouldn't ever spook, but I just was more comfortable with her, since I know her so well, if that makes sense).

I rode as usual (including some jumping) until I was about 3.5 months and then I did light flatwork/hacking until I was about 5 months. After that, I just felt awkward in the saddle, so I did a little groundwork and a lot of beauty sessions and had others ride her. :lol:

I was back to riding 4 weeks after my daughter was born though!

[FlashGordon]

Congratulations!!

Must be something in the water in WNY these days...? ;)

I've known lots of women who have ridden up until 4-5 months. I think it is a very personal choice, neither right nor wrong, and a lot depends on your level of fitness and the horses you have available to you.

If it is a long awaited pregnancy, and you are a bit nervous, maybe just take the time off. In a few weeks when morning sickness and all that fun stuff kicks in, you may not feel like riding anyway.

Best wishes! Hope you have a healthy 9 months and a safe delivery.

[EqTrainer]

When I was pregnant w/LMEqT, I rode until about the 8th month. I think my working student got really tired of heaving me up and off the horses, I had torn a psoas muscle early in the pregnancy and mounting/dismounting was very hard. But once I got on the horse, I felt great :winkgrin: It was winter and those big sweaters hide alot anyway..

2 weeks after she was born I was on my grey horse, trotting around, with our BO yelling "I think that has been long enough, don't you?!!!!!" I had the biggest grin on my face. Best ride of my life.

[FlashGordon]

When I was pregnant w/LMEqT, I rode until about the 8th month. I think my working student got really tired of heaving me up and off the horses, I had torn a psoas muscle early in the pregnancy and mounting/dismounting was very hard. But once I got on the horse, I felt great :winkgrin: It was winter and those big sweaters hide alot anyway..

2 weeks after she was born I was on my grey horse, trotting around, with our BO yelling "I think that has been long enough, don't you?!!!!!" I had the biggest grin on my face. Best ride of my life.

G, you're my hero.

:D

[JWB]

Congrats on the pregnancy! I'm currently 23 weeks through a LONG tried for pregnancy as well. I have to be honest - as soon as I found out I was pregnant, I stopped riding. I always thought I would continue to ride and I know lots of people who did so safely BUT it ultimately came down to this:

I have been trying to get pregnant for ages... I don't think I could live with myself if I fell off and lost the pregnancy as a result.

I realize lots of things can go wrong but it just seemed better to play it safe than risk being sorry later. Freak accidents happen. I've been fortunate to be able to keep my horse in professional training and I'm still going out and spending quality "grooming time" with my girl, as well as taking her to shows (with another rider). Pregnancy really does fly by. I wish I could be riding and it's tempting sometimes but at this point, I know come January it will all be worth the wait....

I don't know if I would have felt differently if I had a packer... My horse is VERY good but she's only three. I know lots of people who did ride through their entire pregnancy and I don't have a problem with it but it's a personal choice and for me, I couldn't justify the risk.

[JohnDeere]

I didnt ride when I was preggo. I had to wait till the kids could ride to. ;) But I waited for a while to get preggo to, so I would be very careful about riding. Not all falls cause miscarriages, and nota ll miscarriages come from falls. Buts its a risk that I would consider very carefully.

Good luck. It will b e worth it someday. :winkgrin:

[Lauruffian]

Congratulations, congratulations! I think you'll see that everyone's experience is different--do what is right, and feels right, for you.

With my first, I rode until about 6mos or so. After that, my bulging belly made it difficult to dismount, and my petite mare started giving me dirty looks when my not-so-petite frame got on her back. Heh.

This second time around--I'm 27 weeks/6mos now--I had every intention of doing the same. Like with my first, I rode in a show at about 10 weeks, but that's about it. I did NOT count on being so much sicker, so much more severely fatigued, and so much more completely heat intolerant (ugh, pregnant in summer BLOWS). I stopped riding at about 4mos, just because...I couldn't. Dang it.

Do what you're comfortable with. There's nothing wrong with giving your horse(s) a little time off if it makes you feel more at ease. :)

congrats, again!

[thyrusyoumonster]

I am 22 weeks pregnant and just started riding again. My husband had a bad accident in May and had spent the summer in a wheelchair. He didn't want me to ride, at the time it didn' tmatter to me as, once he got out of the hospital I was afraid to leave him alone for any longer than I had to.
Fall is my favorite time to ride and I was dying to get back on. I know accidents can happen, I'm not riding anything that is too opinionated and no sitting trot. My balance still feels great and my attitude has improved immensely!
OTH, this pregnance has been so easy that if my belly weren't getting larger I would n't even know I was pregnant!

[Scotts123]

Thanks all!

I will definitely talk to the OB, but if I expect any kind of positive answer at all, I'm sure I need to feel confident about it before I ask her. I don't think she is going to reassure me if I go in there and say that I am feeling nervous about riding, does she think it will be ok? :lol: That appointment won't be for a few weeks. My appointment next week is still with the specialist, and I am almost sure they would say no!

I don't do any jumping, so that is no problem. I guess I will go out tonight and see how I feel about it. I think part of the issue is that she was feeling very cantankerous when I went out Wednesday. She'd had 5 days off, the other horses were being fed, and when started to lunge her, she actually pointed her butt at me and bucked when I tried to send her out:eek: Now, you have to understand that this is so unlike her that it would actually be comical on any other day (picture watching some ancient 35 year old mare cutting up in the pasture - she's 13 going on 30!), but I wasn't feeling too good about that! My trainer was supposed to ride her yesterday, so I'll see if she's feeling more civilized today.

I'm not so much worried about an accident directly hurting the baby at this point while it is still so small and well protected. But I do remember the accident that I had 2 years ago, and the x-rays and the pain meds and being in a lot of pain for months, and I know that an accident while you are pregnant is going to be a much bigger deal, even if baby is fine. That accident bruised and hairline fractured my tailbone/sacrum, and I cringe thinking of going through that while pregnant!

I'll see how I feel tonight when I go out, but I'm not sure that I'm going to feel comfortable enough to be effective. She can be quite rotten while you are riding her if you don't really insist she behave, although when you do, she is a total gem! You just have to push through the garbage first. If I can't put nerves aside and really ride her, it wouldn't be safe. As several of you mentioned, after waiting so very long to get pregnant, I don't want to do anything to put this at risk. Thank you all for sharing your experiences, and for your congratulations! We are so excited!

[JustJumpIt!]

I rode with my first pregnancy through the end of my first trimester, and with the second until I was 8 weeks along, when some bleeding kept me from doing any exercise for a while. To be honest, once I had an ultrasound or heard the heartbeat, I became much more nervous, not less. It became so completely real that there was a little baby in there (and that those two pink lines weren't an accident!) - and I became very nervous about hurting that little person.

[Rassckal]

I am 25 weeks preggo now. Before I got pregnant I always said that I would ride as long as I could. I was pregnant for a little while before I found out and I jumped, rode cross country, and actually bought a new green horse. I fully intended to ride throughout my pregnancy.
But around 18 weeks it just felt weird. I couldn't enjoy it anymore b/c all I was thinking about was- is this really worth it? Every time I put my foot it the irons to swing up I felt weird. I haven't had any complications from the pregnancy and have felt pretty good most of the time. But I decided that I have the rest of my life to enjoy my new horse.
I haven't been up at all in about 2 months and I really miss it. I watch other people ride my horse around and I am working on trick training with him. Although I do miss riding, I know that I made the right decision to stop for me and for baby.

[PNWjumper]

I have two things to say, I guess.

I rode through both of my pregnancies. In fact, I continued showing in the big jumpers through about 18 weeks with my second pregnancy. And continued jumping until just shy of 6 months (only on one mare, who's also the only one I rode through the end). Riding kept me feeling great through the entire pregnancy, and my mare and I had a blast doing dressage lessons for the last 4 months. With that being said, I carried very "in" my body until the very end and never felt that my balance was terribly affected. I never felt nervous on my mare for even a minute. My green OTTB, on the other hand, did make me feel nervous, and the minute I started feeling less than 100% on him I found someone else to ride him. I wasn't afraid that he was going to do something stupidly wild, I was afraid that my goofy boy was going to trip over his own feet (something he did fairly frequently in the beginning) and actually fall with me. I had no interest in sitting on a horse with even a shadow of doubt in my mind. I did find that while pregnant (from maybe the 5th month on) I had to keep riding every single day. Even one day off left me feeling "off" the day back (more round ligament pain than normal). If I'd had to take more than a week off at any point I'm not sure I would have kept going.

But in regards to the whole injury/painkillers thing......I found out I was pregnant with my daughter (my 2nd child) because I had a horse fall with me as we landed off of a jump at a show and fractured my ankle and broke my leg (I was maybe 4 or 5 days pregnant at that point). They did a blood test before the routine MRI and opted out of the MRI because of the [suspected] pregnancy (it was still too early for the dr. to be 100% sure). I spent the first 12 weeks of the pregnancy on a pile of painkillers (mainly percocet, but lots of other less potent things as well). Freaked me out, but didn't concern my OB at all. They definitely modified the drugs I could have both during and after surgery (they did a spinal instead of giving me a general for surgery), so I guess the only thing I would say is that you are WAY better off hurting yourself and KNOWING that your pregnant than having something like that happen before you know.

You're right that it would be awful to have something like a broken tailbone while pregnant, but I can say for sure that it's way better to have an injury early in pregnancy than later! :lol:

[KayBee]

Someone at our barn -- with her doctor's knowledge -- rode up until 5 or 6 weeks before giving birth. She was jumping almost that long too. No harm to Mom or baby (she barely showed until 7 mos). Another woman rode until 6 mos and realized she had to stop, but only because her belly was making it hard to for her, not to ride, but to... dismount.

[Bogie]

While I don't recommend it, I had a horse fall on me when I was about 6 weeks pregnant. My OB was surprisingly sanguine and explained that the embryo was so small and so well protected at that point that it would be a problem (and it wasn't).

I did ride during both of my pregnancies until I became uncomfortable (it was different for each). I did scale back my expectations and included additional safety precautions (i.e., lunging) etc. I also taught my horses to long line and work in hand so I could continue to be involved but not on their backs.

The most important thing is that you, your husband and your doctor all feel comfortable with how you choose to proceed.

Congrats and good luck!

[Scotts123]

Well, I worked up the nerve to hop on last night! Walking was fine, and we did lots of little circles, bending exercises, serpentines, sidepassing, etc. I tried about 45 seconds of posting trot, though, and started feeling really sick and crampy. I had to stop for about 5 minutes until I could get the nausea back under control and the cramps stopped. We walked a little more, and then I got off and lunged her.

I don't know if that is normal, and all of you brave folks riding at 6 months along just pushed through it, but I'm too much of a worrier to push through anything that makes me feel that crummy! I asked my trainer to ride her twice a week instead of once so she doesn't get overly fresh, and I will just putz around with her for the next month or so and then probably call it quits.

[4Martini]

I'm 31 weeks right now and had the same experience as you at about 6 weeks- trotting just made me naseaus. I rode a few more times and it would trigger me vommiting 2 hours later and all night long. At that point I just stopped riding. I took it as a sign that it wasn't meant for me.

My horse has really enjoyed the break and it seems to have improved his ground manners. He is not the most predictable anyway so DH was happy with the decision. Martin has gained probably 4 pounds for every pound I gained and everyone jokes that he is pregnant too. But at 20 as an always on the trim side TB he actually looks good going into winter.

I don't think there's a wrong decision when it comes to riding as long as you are honest with yourself and listen to your body. Mine asked me to stop and I don't regret it.

[JWB]

Let me just say that there is no right answer. I certainly don't look down on people who continue to ride.... I wish I was riding right now but I took so long to get pregnant to begin with, and previously had a miscarriage (unrelated to riding I'm sure) that it was not the right choice for me.

If I had a dead broke packer, I'd probably still be riding but I've got a 3-yr-old. I only have 16 weeks to go and it's worth the wait. I'll be back in the saddle soon enough.

[alien]

I was in month 8when I stopped. I couldn't get off. Between my belly and herniated disks/hip bursitis ti was time. I stopped riding other horses at 7 months and stopped riding my semi retired horse at 8. It made me feel good. I just remember stopping in the middle of a lessons to run as fast as I could to the potty! Thank goodness it was close to the arena.
I blame riding for my son's gigantic head! Also, an easy birth except for the big head part.

[JKBD]

I am 12 weeks pregnant today, and have been riding off and on - and will keep doing so until I just don't feel like it's "right" anymore. Here are some things I have noticed in the first trimester -
- I took like 2 weeks off because of fatigue and morning sickness, nothing like feeling you gotta puke while trying to ride!
- I will jump off my horse if he feels at all tight/tense, it isn't worth it to me. This has happened twice; I lunged for a while after both times. My trainer actually had the balls to yell at me for being 'chicken'; oh, I gave her a piece of my mind - baby first.
- If my boy has had even a few days off I lunge first. If the wind is up I lunge first. If his tale is sideways I lunge first... I want to see that he is calm really before I get on.
- No more trail riding for me, mostly because I have to go out solo, and though I might have someone I can ride with soon I'm not sure. My boy is good out there but that's also an environment you really can't control.
- I do get side stitches a lot more frequently, especially during sitting trot. I figure I'm much less fit generally (I have had the energy to ride but not run the last few weeks and I can tell the difference).
- Some days I will ride but I am just fatigued; like today my legs were like jello. I try to have no expectations for a ride except to have fun.

My husband supports the riding even though he is nervous because the 2 weeks when I didn't ride was the only time all pregnancy that we fought, that I had major hormonal meltdowns, and that I got really depressed. I think the smaller chance of injury is worth the very real chance of divorce if I don't ride!

[Blue Eyed Tovero]

As others have stated, it is a personal choice. I always thought that I'd ride through my pregnancy but when I found out I was (8weeks) I just didn't feel comfortable with it. Can't really explain why. My young horse had a break and my husband was much happier with my decision not to ride. My son is now 8 months old and I've been back in the saddle since he was 4 weeks old. We're planning on a second one soon and I'll be hanging my boots up again.

[SleepyFox]

I think you should be thrilled that you feel well enough for it to be a question. :D I'm ~12 wks and since week 8, I have been SO sick that I haven't managed to ride at all. :no: I'm pretty much thrilled with just getting the barn chores done. :lol:

[pony89]

I think you should be thrilled that you feel well enough for it to be a question. :D I'm ~12 wks and since week 8, I have been SO sick that I haven't managed to ride at all. :no: I'm pretty much thrilled with just getting the barn chores done. :lol:

Well, I am only 6 weeks, let's hope I don't have your problem in a few weeks! So far, besides being kind of "seasick" unless I am not gnawing on grapes or dry wheaties, my only issue is going to bed about 2 hours earlier than usual:lol: Yay for having the horse in full board at the moment and not having to do chores myself, though! Although, as I bent over to pick out my pony's feet, which she has mysteriously decided to be a twit about, I wondered if there is a point in pregnancy where that is going to become extremely difficult. I'm trying to picture having a massive belly, a winter coat, and still being able to stoop down there while she tries to put all of her weight on the leg that I am holding up:rolleyes:

[4Martini]

I'm still picking hooves fine with 9 weeks to go. I am having trouble putting socks on though- so the hooves may become a problem soon.

Also- the sour apple jolly ranchers were my anti- morning sickness saviour. I ate them constantly to keep from puking at work. Rootbeer also worked well for me. (Okay I did put on a few more than recommended pounds in the first trimester- but I had to keep from vomitting at work! The weight all evened out in the 2nd and I'm back on track now though so it didn't seem to be a big issue overall.)

You have so much fun to look forward to when the baby starts kicking etc! The first trimester was aweful for me being sick- but when it was over I felt great! My horse loves to snuffle my belly too- don't know why. He seems to like to say hi to the baby!

[foundationmare]

I'm not a "rider" but have had four babies, two of whom while I was immersed in horse care. My daughter IS a rider, on the racetrack, and she has had three babies while pursuing her livelihood. She rode until she was uncomfortable and it was her call. With the last two, she was back in the saddle within 6 weeks. My DIL was back in the saddle 4 weeks after the birth of her son two months ago. It's different for everybody and no woman should push herself to reach her pre-pregnancy status without educated guidance.

Most healthy pregnancies are well protected early in pregnancy by the bony pelvis. As pregnancy advances and the fetus grows out of the pelvis, there are other considerations regarding shift of balance/center of gravity which will only increase as the pregnancy progresses. Other than direct blows to the abdomen or injuries suffered from a fall, the fetus is very well protected, a function of amniotic fluid and strong uterine musculature. It's not always perfect, but most babies are protected from the onslaught of external injuries. They are far more susceptible to lifestyle habits of the mother, e.g. smoking, alcohol consumption, inadequate/unhealthy diet, etc.

Talk to your care provider and then decide what you're comfortable with. More often than not I think that most of you early preggers can feel comfortable with carrying on at your standard. Good luck and have fun! And congratulations!

[molliwog]

I'm expecting as well, and here's where I'm at so far....

I'm at 21 weeks right now, and stopped doing any serious riding about a week ago. What I discovered was that as my pregnancy progressed I became less able to half halt effectively, and it was tough to sit straight in the saddle. My own horse is hot and sensitive, and requires a very precise ride. I realized about a month ago we were not doing each other much good, as I was having difficulty keeping my body positioned correctly, and he was having difficulty figuring out why all the rules had suddenly changed. He is just transitioning into the double bridle, and it wasn't fair to ask him to do this unless I was able to support him properly. I turned him over to a close friend who is a trainer to ride, and she'll continue with him until I'm ready to get back in the saddle. I'd also been riding one of my friend's mares several times a week as well up until about a week ago. I started to feel some "pulling" sensations in my low back that didn't feel great, and decided that this was my signal to stop. I'm keeping myself busy, fit, and "connected" by doing some long-line work with each of these horses 2-3 times a week each on the days that they aren't getting a training ride.

I think this is different for each person, and for each pregnancy. My mom rode during all three of her pregnancies. She said that with my oldest brother and me she rode until she was about 7 months along, but stopped at 4 months with my middle brother because she got bigger earlier, and didn't feel balanced in the saddle.

The best advice that I can offer is for you to discuss this honestly with your health care provider, and make sure that you have great prenatal care. Also, listen to your body. If something feels "funny", trust your own instincts and stop. You might be one of those people that is comfortable and safe riding right up until your due date. I have many friends who have done this. But if you feel any discomfort or become unbalanced in the saddle as your pregancy progresses, you might want to rethink riding until the little one arrives.

[amdfarm]

First of all, Congratulations!!!

Like a couple of others, I rode until I was 8 mos when the belly and myself no longer fit in the western saddle. Dismounting was also a real treat.

The difference w/ my pregnancy was that I didn't know I was pregnant until I was already 20 wks. :eek: I was trail riding or camping every single weekend riding many hours a day, a couple times a day on my then 10yo AQHA gelding and trusted BTDT horse. I also rode a day or two during the week when I wasn't working. I worked full-time on my feet 8 hours a day at a large busy sporting goods store. That proved harder on me than riding. I did all three gaits, but mostly walked and did some galloping in the clearings every so often. He took excellent care of me and seemed to figure out how to compensate for the extra weight later on in the pregnancy.

I was pregnant all summer and w/ the horse getting the majority of the winters off, I always take advantage of summer/fall riding when the weather and footing was decent. My son was born the end of September and I was also out duck hunting four days before he was born. I also fell right smack on my stomach after stepping in a hole. No worse for wear, but scared my husband half to death. He was in front of me. I couldn't get up though, rather comical now, not so much then. Too many layers of clothing and uber prego. I could hardly move.

I, too, was told that staying in shape during your pregnancy would make for an easy delivery. OB/GYN was totally fine w/ all my activities. Here I was riding, walking the dogs daily, hunting, shooting, fishing, camping, etc... 26 hours of labor later I finally popped that kid out!! It was horrid. I didn't ride for 8 weeks due to the non planned episiotomy my son's head so loving gave me that was shaped like a lightening bolt and took FOREVER to heal. Walking was even hard.