Pregnant riders support group? :)

[drmgncolor]

[QUOTE=ilmjumper;8220306]
Right now pants are HIGHLY over-rated lol even maternity pants.

On that note, does anyone else have issues with the seam of pants/shorts between the actual pant material and the belly band? I’m noticing no matter what kind I try when I’m sitting down they feel like they’re cutting me in two, even when they’re pulled down so far they might as well not be there lol I can hook my thumb into the seam and pull it out so I know they’re not THAT tight but still I feel like they’re just sawing me in two turning my work outfits into skirts only[/QUOTE]

Yep. I’m in the same boat. I have found the only pants that really work for me are the Patagonia Serenity Yoga Pants. I can’t stand to have something tight on my lower abdomen right now.

The Serenity pants are super stretchy and have a high or low waist option (the material folds over) so right now I just Steve Urkel those suckers up and waddle on.

ETA: I talked about these pants early in the thread and still can’t say enough awesome things about them. And no, I don’t work for Patagonia.

[Nickelodian]

[QUOTE=pwrpfflynn;8220287]
I agree. It is never worth the risk to an unborn baby. I didn’t ride during my pregnancy either. I would have never forgiven myself if something would have happened. Animals are unpredictable & can just trip & go down.[/QUOTE]

Just out of curiosity, who exactly are you agreeing with? Car drivers are unpredictable & can just run a read light and mow you down. I’m not out there jumping around a course any longer, but I am still enjoying my time on a horse’s back. Albeit short, and light.

[Nickelodian]

[QUOTE=ilmjumper;8220306]
Right now pants are HIGHLY over-rated lol even maternity pants.

On that note, does anyone else have issues with the seam of pants/shorts between the actual pant material and the belly band? I’m noticing no matter what kind I try when I’m sitting down they feel like they’re cutting me in two, even when they’re pulled down so far they might as well not be there lol I can hook my thumb into the seam and pull it out so I know they’re not THAT tight but still I feel like they’re just sawing me in two turning my work outfits into skirts only[/QUOTE]

Living in dresses. Every day. Thank God for dresses.

[Heineken]

Riding while pg is everyone’s personal choice. I stopped riding at 5.5 months…and then was promptly hit by a huge truck head on and almost died. Would have been safer on my goddamn horse. I try not to judge as we all carry our pregnancies differently too.

Yes to dresses. And skirts. And Old Navy maternity leggings, VERY stretchy.

[ilmjumper]

Glad to know I’m not the only one in the no pants club!

The riding while pregnant thing is just so…whatever…to me now, I got so much crap from people in the beginning about riding who had 1) no clue about horses and 2) no issues with me doing other semi-dangerous things, like bike riding, or four wheeling. My favorite “concern” was “but what about all the bouncing”…after about the 80th time my MIL said that I maaaay have gotten irritated enough to snap back that “I’m a two time national grand champion, I don’t f-ing bounce!” Opps Now when people say oh I’m so glad you decided to stop riding I just smile and mentally roll my eyes…so not worth the effort lol

[mscho]

[QUOTE=ilmjumper;8221271]
…after about the 80th time my MIL said that I maaaay have gotten irritated enough to snap back that “I’m a two time national grand champion, I don’t f-ing bounce!” Opps Now when people say oh I’m so glad you decided to stop riding I just smile and mentally roll my eyes…so not worth the effort lol[/QUOTE]

Good reply! This was one of my doctors’ response as well when I asked him about riding. I was like bouncing? Seriously? If there’s any bouncing youre doing it wrong. Oddly enough he ok’ed me for crossfit and soccer? I think there’s a lot of incorrect perception about riding among the non-riders.

I rode my greenie up to 4 months, and had I not ended up hospalized with complications, would likely still be riding her. It’s all really a matter of personal comfort and risk tolerance. It drives me crazy that people feel the need to be so assertive with their ‘opinions’…

[rugbygirl]

Parts of me bounce, the more pregnant I get. Especially the boobs.

Riding is definitely a decision you need to make case by case, ride by ride.

I rode further into my first pregnancy. It was WEIRD to have baby kicking enthusiastically while I was posting!

[drmgncolor]

[QUOTE=ilmjumper;8221271]
“I’m a two time national grand champion, I don’t f-ing bounce!”
[/QUOTE][QUOTE=mscho;8221503]If there’s any bouncing youre doing it wrong. Oddly enough he ok’ed me for crossfit and soccer? I think there’s a lot of incorrect perception about riding among the non-riders.[/QUOTE]

Yep. I may not be a 2 time national champion, but I’ve been riding for over 30 years. I don’t bounce. But that’s not what my in-laws see. I tried to explain the motion at the canter they were seeing wasn’t bouncing, but they refused to believe me.

Funny enough, I got a lot of support even from non riders. The worst finger wagging I got was from a life-time rider who’s never been pregnant.

No doubt riding is a dangerous sport. But life is dangerous as well. I could get hit by a car. Trip and fall flat on my face while walking on my own two feet (actually, I did that just a few weeks ago).

[QUOTE=rugbygirl;8221511]Riding is definitely a decision you need to make case by case, ride by ride.

I rode further into my first pregnancy. It was WEIRD to have baby kicking enthusiastically while I was posting![/QUOTE]

I stopped about 3.5 months prego and rode a friend’s horse at 6 months. I would probably still be riding (walking/ lightly trotting around) if my mare was sound. And while I could ride friend’s horses, I KNOW my mare. And even though she’s a hot firecracker, I still KNOW her and what she’s going to do before she does it. I might hop on a get a few pictures just sitting on her with my big belly… just because I want to.

I can barely pay attention in work meetings when he’s kicking… so I can imagine it would feel weird on horseback. I am pretty uncomfortable in general these days and so I don’t really have a desire to ride. Which makes my in-laws very happy.

[Nickelodian]

My doctor’s theory:

Riders keep riding, runners keep running, water skiiers keep water skiing, but maybe perhaps if you’re a rider, don’t take up water skiing in the next 9 months.

BBH/TJ and I putter around. Some days I feel good enough to put in a “real” hack with muscle building and challenging collection. Other days (like last night) I walk for about 25 min then trot and canter a bit. Just being at the barn with my barn friends, remembering what it is like to be me.

[drmgncolor]

I guess I should probably divulge that with my first pregnancy I was in a horse and cart accident that sent me to the ER at 13 weeks. It was then that we found out about our miscarriage. My OB was adamant that I understand the accident did not cause the miscarriage as at that stage in my pregnancy the fetus was still well protected by my pelvic bones and the fetus was measuring at about 10 weeks in development.

The accident did, however, make me think and weigh the consequences of riding (and driving) while pregnant. And it’s one of the top reasons that my in-laws really would like nothing better than for me to sit still with my feet up until Little S is born.

So, I can understand both sides.

[Nickelodian]

To give the opposite perspective, I had multiple M/C after being super uber careful and staying completely away from horses. This time I basically said I’m going to live my life and see what happens. 4 weeks of showing in WEF and then 2 more weeks in Gulfport during my first trimester with derbies, travel, working long hours, hauling, doing self care, etc and here I am at 28 weeks.

I agree to each their own, if you’re not comfortable on a horse, don’t get on one.

[drmgncolor]

[QUOTE=Nickelodian;8221822]
To give the opposite perspective, I had multiple M/C after being super uber careful and staying completely away from horses. This time I basically said I’m going to live my life and see what happens. 4 weeks of showing in WEF and then 2 more weeks in Gulfport during my first trimester with derbies, travel, working long hours, hauling, doing self care, etc and here I am at 28 weeks.

I agree to each their own, if you’re not comfortable on a horse, don’t get on one.[/QUOTE]

Hey, I’m right there with you after multiple MCs, although I never stayed completely away from horses. And I KNOW that the accident did not cause my miscarriage (but it still make me think). I had plans to keep riding much further into this pregnancy… and the support of pretty much my entire barn. But, that isn’t how things played out. And now, I really have no desire so it’s all working out for me.

Glad you are still able to ride.

[rugbygirl]

[QUOTE=drmgncolor;8221877]
Hey, I’m right there with you after multiple MCs, although I never stayed completely away from horses. And I KNOW that the accident did not cause my miscarriage (but it still make me think). I had plans to keep riding much further into this pregnancy… and the support of pretty much my entire barn. But, that isn’t how things played out. And now, I really have no desire so it’s all working out for me.

Glad you are still able to ride. :)[/QUOTE]

With my first, I only rode my TB. He never acts up, where my show horse sometimes gets cranky and will sometimes buck.

This time, after months of working only with my show horse (no buckling, minimal crankiness) , I was totally confident on him…until last week. I realized I wasn’t confident anymore, and didn’t really want to keep riding at all. I’m done until baby comes now. We know this is our last one, so it was easier to make the decision to stop knowing I cam get back in “for real” after this baby comes.

[bluebird44]

You know when you change your hair cut or color dramatically and you spend the first few days doing a double take when you see yourself in the mirror? I feel like that every day lately. Like, who is this fat person with the giant belly? This week was the realization that it now sticks out further than my boobs. Seems like quite a feat since I went up 2 cup sizes in 1st tri! I think I need to head out to the barn this weekend to watch some lessons and try to feel more like myself.

[ilmjumper]

lol Bluebird There are some mornings I wake and just don’t really feel pregnant…until I try to get out of bed! It’s like having a total Disney princess moment with birds chirping and dogs cuddling, waking up smiling…only to try and sit up and suddenly I’m a beached whale again!

[drmgncolor]

[QUOTE=ilmjumper;8222562]
lol Bluebird There are some mornings I wake and just don’t really feel pregnant…until I try to get out of bed! It’s like having a total Disney princess moment with birds chirping and dogs cuddling, waking up smiling…only to try and sit up and suddenly I’m a beached whale again![/QUOTE]

Sit up? I don’t even try anymore, I just roll out. And yes, I catch my reflection in the mirror and still do a double take. Surely that can’t be me!

Also… anyone looked into daycare yet? It’s July and I’m 3rd on the waiting list for a spot in January. Insane.

[pinkpony321]

[QUOTE=drmgncolor;8222762]
Sit up? I don’t even try anymore, I just roll out. And yes, I catch my reflection in the mirror and still do a double take. Surely that can’t be me!

Also… anyone looked into daycare yet? It’s July and I’m 3rd on the waiting list for a spot in January. Insane.[/QUOTE]

I got on 3 wait lists when I was 6 weeks pregnant. It’s insane around here.

[ilmjumper]

We’re holding off on daycare, my MIL is going to be watching for at least the first 6 months (already nervous about this, I just keep telling myself it’ll be healthier than daycare when she’s tiny and with set rules, MIL can’t screw anything up too badly…right??) That said, the place I want to take her to when we hit that step has a massive waiting list so we’re on it…in anticipation of her going when she’s 8-12 months ish.

[mscho]

I’m in Canada and have a year long mat leave - I’m on a waiting list for NEXT September!! Are you kidding me day care? … Plus the cost is atrocious! How do people afford more than one kid? And DH and I both have professional, well-paying jobs! Insanity.

[drmgncolor]

[QUOTE=mscho;8223266]
I’m in Canada and have a year long mat leave - I’m on a waiting list for NEXT September!! Are you kidding me day care? … Plus the cost is atrocious! How do people afford more than one kid? And DH and I both have professional, well-paying jobs! Insanity.[/QUOTE]

A YEAR of maternity leave? That’s awesomesauce. Maternity leave in the US is another thing that the US has all wrong. It really doesn’t exist. We have the FMLA which would mean my company has to at least hold a job for me for 12 weeks. Which doesn’t really mean anything because I am contract and so the company I contract with could just opt to not renew my PO. Which shouldn’t happen, because I have been with them for 10 years and they begged me not to leave when I told them I was prego. But I have no paid vacation, no paid sick leave… nothing to save up. Whatever I take off has to be unpaid, and while DH and I do not at all live above our means, we still have all the same monthly bills and more with the medical bills just to have the kiddo.

Luckily I have a flexible job, great managers and I work from home. We have no family in the area so unless I want my mom or my MIL moving across country to live with us, we have to use daycare.

I will probably only take a few weeks to a month off. Then I will start working a modified schedule until we can get into daycare.