Pregnant riders support group? :)

[jhg140]

First of all, I have been following this thread from the beginning, and really appreciate all the candid input from you guys!

I’m not pregnant, but we have “pulled the goalie” and are basically not trying to not get pregnant. Part of that involved not only going off hormonal BC, but also weaning off an andogen blocker (Spironolactone - for PCOS) and getting down to the bare minimum on antidepressants. Basically, I’m losing it right now. I’m hoping my hormones will stabilize in a few months, but the mood swings are killing me right now. I’m either hyper annoyed or could care less, and honestly the only thing keeping me going is seeing my horse on the weekend.

Did anyone else have anything similar? I feel like I’m just alone with this and it sucks. Does it get better? Anyone have any coping tips?

Also doesn’t help that my face looks like a science experiment! The acne is brutal

[Against_All_Odds1]

[QUOTE=jhg140;8378640]
First of all, I have been following this thread from the beginning, and really appreciate all the candid input from you guys!

I’m not pregnant, but we have “pulled the goalie” and are basically not trying to not get pregnant. Part of that involved not only going off hormonal BC, but also weaning off an andogen blocker (Spironolactone - for PCOS) and getting down to the bare minimum on antidepressants. Basically, I’m losing it right now. I’m hoping my hormones will stabilize in a few months, but the mood swings are killing me right now. I’m either hyper annoyed or could care less, and honestly the only thing keeping me going is seeing my horse on the weekend.

Did anyone else have anything similar? I feel like I’m just alone with this and it sucks. Does it get better? Anyone have any coping tips?

Also doesn’t help that my face looks like a science experiment! The acne is brutal[/QUOTE]

Hugs! I can only talk based on my experience and never experienced what you are describing pre pregnancy. I did have a wicked case of baby blues for about 3 weeks I believe. Not wanting to hurt my baby or anything, just like a loneliness/raging hormone/some type of guilt/ weeping feeling. Hard to describe (and remember at this point) crazed hormone period. It sucked. It was very real, and I warned my pregnant friends about it. I was very open to my own feelings and knew it was normal and would pass. Do you have " what to expect when you’re expecting"? It’s the only book I own and read and I’d highly recommend it. They talk a lot about it all the types of feelings you may have. Really rationalized everything for me. Extra hugs!

[pinkpony321]

I’m slowly coming to grips with the idea that this baby has to leave my body somehow…which is terrifying to me! So, in my typical style, I ordered a 5 week course from Hypnobabies with…5.5 weeks to go. Of course I couldn’t do this in a timely manner, right?
It comes highly recommended by bunches of people… Anyone done it?
I’ll update once it comes and I start the process…

[forward_ride]

Yes! I am starting my hypnobirthing class next week I think so you’ll be a bit ahead of me. The name makes it sound soooooo hippy-dippy to me, but once you read what it actually is, it makes a lot of sense and I really like how they are ok with drugs if you want them. I think it’s the Bradley method that is all natural only? I’m actually not that familiar, but we hired a doula who had really good things to say about hypnobirthing. Had 3 clients last spring who all did it, each had a very different experience - one loved it, practiced it a bunch, another hated it and said it was a waste of time, third was in the middle. All three had super positive birth experiences. At this point, my only plan is to hear Kimmy Schmidt in my head saying “You can do anything for 10 seconds at a time”, so I figure it can’t hurt to also know how to relax. I will say the one “bad” thing my doula said about it is that it teaches you to “breathe out” the baby instead of pushing and she said if your body is telling you to push, there’s a reason for that. So, anyway, for what it’s worth. Good luck! I’ll report back once my class starts and we can compare notes.

[rugbygirl]

There’s a lady in my group care (through my midwife, we have once a month group sessions) who just delivered her first with hypnobabies. She found it really helpful, and had practiced a lot, she said that once her partner started reading the prompts/script, she felt immediately more relaxed and capable!

I liked the sound of it too, but didn’t end up using it. I agree, the name makes it sound silly, it’s more like guided meditation or visualization. A lot like the kind of thing you use in martial arts or other sports to prep. Birth is definitely a mental thing, and a lot like a high performance athletic event! Whatever you can do to get into the right headspace is a huge factor in getting your body to cooperate!

I just had my Winrho shot. Nice moment with the nurse, as she poked around and says “I just need to find your hip bone…” and I say “good luck with that, they disappeared about 3 weeks ago.”

[kalidascope]

Well, I think I better join this thread. I’m 13 weeks. Kind of thought I’d stop riding, but keep finding things to get on. My good horse died suddenly of colic a few months ago, but there are lots of (fairly civilised) beings to swing a leg over for various reasons. Not that I’m doing a lot with them. So far I haven’t noticed any difference whatsoall in my riding (yay!) - in terms of comfort etc - I’m just a lot more careful handling them, and can’t bend/squat as easily lol.

Good to read everyone’s experiences!

[JLC]

Kalidascope - congrats and welcome to the group!

[Rescuer]

[QUOTE=kalidascope;8385981]
Well, I think I better join this thread. I’m 13 weeks. Kind of thought I’d stop riding, but keep finding things to get on. My good horse died suddenly of colic a few months ago, but there are lots of (fairly civilised) beings to swing a leg over for various reasons. Not that I’m doing a lot with them. So far I haven’t noticed any difference whatsoall in my riding (yay!) - in terms of comfort etc - I’m just a lot more careful handling them, and can’t bend/squat as easily lol.

Good to read everyone’s experiences![/QUOTE]

Welcome!

Sorry to hear of the loss of your horse a few months ago. Never easy to go through that. But awesome to hear you’ve kept riding - it really does help you keep feeling normal instead of like a slowly bloating beachball. I’m only just now starting to find that I’m feeling uncomfortable the day AFTER riding - and I’m 2 days shy of 18 weeks. While riding - the only thing that’s changed is I get out of breath much more quickly. I’ve stopped jumping at this point though.

Welcome again!

[jhg140]

[QUOTE=AgainstAllOdds;8381772]
Hugs! I can only talk based on my experience and never experienced what you are describing pre pregnancy. I did have a wicked case of baby blues for about 3 weeks I believe. Not wanting to hurt my baby or anything, just like a loneliness/raging hormone/some type of guilt/ weeping feeling. Hard to describe (and remember at this point) crazed hormone period. It sucked. It was very real, and I warned my pregnant friends about it. I was very open to my own feelings and knew it was normal and would pass. Do you have " what to expect when you’re expecting"? It’s the only book I own and read and I’d highly recommend it. They talk a lot about it all the types of feelings you may have. Really rationalized everything for me. Extra hugs![/QUOTE]

Thanks so much - I feel like I know this will happen to me post-imaginary-baby-not-yet-conceived, and that also freaks me out. I’ll look into that book - probably will be good for DH too. I hope you’re feeling well post-baby now too!

[ilmjumper]

Got back on this weekend! Took baby to the barn to “meet everyone” and somehow ended up getting on… Oops! First minutes felt weird and then everything stretched back into place and my hips said ahhhh

[Against_All_Odds1]

[QUOTE=jhg140;8386362]
Thanks so much - I feel like I know this will happen to me post-imaginary-baby-not-yet-conceived, and that also freaks me out. I’ll look into that book - probably will be good for DH too. I hope you’re feeling well post-baby now too![/QUOTE]

Oh yes once the hormones elevated it’s all worked out. Now the one thing parenting has taught me is to not worry about what could be. It’s not helpful and makes you miss what’s happening in the moment. So don’t stress.

[Heineken]

Checking in. Baby Sean is 8 weeks and I’ve been back at work for four so it is possible. I do own my own business so I’ve been able to be pretty flexible and I have an amazing nanny 2x a week who comes with me to the office. I have a mother’s helper starting 3x a week for less hours next week and that will be a HUGE help.

Diapers…using Pampers with good results but also using the Target brand and I think I like them more. They are longer at the top and I have a baby in the 81% for height and the 25% for weight so that height in the back and belly helps. No major blowouts yet.

Wipes, I like the Honest Co ones best but have a huge box of Target in the basement unopened that I’ll report back on. Baby needs a bath tonight in the tub but wipes work in a pinch…

Started riding and running again. If I do either one 2x a week I’m thrilled, it’s just damn hard to accomplish ANYTHING ever. EVER.

Nick, you feeling better? Congrats to the rest of the gang!

[drmgncolor]

[QUOTE=Heineken;8387010]
Checking in. Baby Sean is 8 weeks.

Diapers…using Pampers with good results but also using the Target brand and I think I like them more. They are longer at the top and I have a baby in the 81% for height and the 25% for weight so that height in the back and belly helps. No major blowouts yet.

Wipes, I like the Honest Co ones best but have a huge box of Target in the basement unopened that I’ll report back on. Baby needs a bath tonight in the tub but wipes work in a pinch…

Started riding and running again. If I do either one 2x a week I’m thrilled, it’s just damn hard to accomplish ANYTHING ever. EVER.[/QUOTE]

8 weeks? My time flies. My little S just turned 5 weeks! I’m not riding yet. I just haven’t bounced back as quickly as I would have liked. (This getting old stuff sucks.) I’m walking a lot tho and hope to start running a bit again soon. I’ll probably be back on a horse around Thanksgiving. And… It’s almost ski season!!!

Thanks for input on the target diapers. We’ve been using Pampers successfully. S is 95th in height, 30th in weight… So long and skinny like your S. I tried Babyganics and they did not fit. He would pee right out no matter how tight I fastened. So far no blow outs in the Pampers. Still in newborn size tho. Size ones are way too big for his scrawny frame!

I like Huggies wipes. I did not like the Target brand as much. Took more to get the same job done. I may give the Target diapers a shot tho…

Here’s a pic of S meeting Color yesterday. It went well. hopefully the link works, I’m on my phone feeding the kidlet as I type.

And you are so right about not getting anything accomplished. Especially if your are breastfeeding. My life officially revolves around my boobs now. It’s strange having to plan where you will be for the next feeding. I’ve had to feed in my car a few times. Thankfully Babies R Us has a mothers room that I have used when out and about. And Target lets you use the dressing rooms.

[butiwantedapony]

I’m 32 weeks now and officially hitting the point at which I am done.

i cannot wait to get on a horse again. I cannot wait to never be pregnant again (this is baby #2 and our last).

As for breastfeeding - yep it’s a full time job. But I got pretty comfortable with baby #1 just breastfeeding anywhere. MANY times in the car, and the more proficient we got at it the more I felt comfortable breastfeeding in public. You can breastfeed discreetly even while walking around with baby in a sling. After awhile it definitely became much less of a burden, but yes those first few weeks you are really tied to your couch (or wherever you typically feed).

[drmgncolor]

[QUOTE=butiwantedapony;8387542]
You can breastfeed discreetly even while walking around with baby in a sling.[/QUOTE]

I wish, but I am just not that coordinated. I see other mothers at my BF support group BF with such ease and it looks so natural. But it’s still very awkward for me. I’d probably trip and fall flat on my face. Heck, that almost happened the first time I wore him and he wasn’t sucking on me. :yes:

[butiwantedapony]

[QUOTE=drmgncolor;8387564]
I wish, but I am just not that coordinated. I see other mothers at my BF support group BF with such ease and it looks so natural. But it’s still very awkward for me. I’d probably trip and fall flat on my face. Heck, that almost happened the first time I wore him and he wasn’t sucking on me. :yes:[/QUOTE]

Oh I didn’t have it down by 5 weeks with baby #1. It gets easier!

[rugbygirl]

My baby got way too distracted to nurse in the sling, he was always poking his head up to look around…i found that we could deal with the eating in much more manageable blocks if I found somewhere quiet where we could both focus! No idea how I’m going to deal with a nursing baby and a 22 month old…but I’ll figure it out.

Also so ready to be done. This is our last as well, and I can’t wait to drop all this extra weight and regain some fitness!

[peachy]

Alright, I’m joining this party after lurking for quite awhile. I have learned a lot from this thread already! Although this is baby #2 for me, baby #1 is a teen ( yes, we’re crazy to actually have planned to start all over again!), and lots of things have changed since my first pregnancy.

I am 20 weeks, due April 1 (add me to the list of those with unfortunate due dates). I am still riding and really happy to be doing so. I hung up my jump bridle much earlier in the pregnancy than I had planned due to my horse’s soundness issues. Originally, I figured I would keep jumping a bit beyond my first trimester. However, when my horse was ready to come back from his injury when I was around 12 weeks, I jumped some teeny jumps in one lesson (we had been showing in the 1.10m jumpers…) and it did not feel good or secure after not having jumped for so many weeks. So I officially retired from jumping at that point. I am trying to keep riding on the flat at least 3-4 times a week as long as I can. I know if I take a break, it will be much harder to start up again.

Thanks to those of you sharing what it’s like on the other side. I run a small company, so similar to the situations of a couple of you, I won’t be able to take off completely for very long, but I do work from home and have a lot more flexibility to ease back in on a part time basis, adjust my schedule, feed baby throughout the day, etc. I am also lucky that my husband’s work will allow him to use his stock of sick and vacation time as paternity leave in a very flexible manner.

Heineken - are you using any day care at all or just a nanny two times a week? We have some great daycare options, but at this point, I’m trying figure out how long we can stave that off between my husband’s leave, potentially getting a PT nanny, and maybe a long visit or two from my mom!

I also am hoping to get back in the saddle quickly, but we’ll see how that goes. Right now I’m envisioning late night rides after baby bed time, but that might totally unrealistic…

[Heineken]

Peachy,

NO DAYCARE! I felt very strongly that if I was going to give the baby thing a go I wanted to be there for all of it, and my business allows for that. I have a fan-fu&k#ng-tastic nanny 2 days a week and I want her more but she has another family so I’m making due with a couple of teenage mother’s helpers. I’m spoiled, I run a tutoring and educational consulting business so I have access to a lot of great kids. I’m hoping next school year to have my nanny M/W/F 2-7 and T/Th 10-7. I also have childcare at my gym unlimited $10/month and I hope to get him in there 2x a week while I work out…

[She_s_Pure_Gold]

Congrats to the newcomers and so good to hear from those on the other side! I can’t believe how far past birth you are. Glad things are going well. I’m just about 24 weeks now. Feels like it’s moving along quickly now but the end still feels so far away! My poor horse is feeling so neglected now, as I really haven’t been riding for the past couple of months. I may hop on for a walk around the farm this weekend and give him some extra TLC. Baby is moving around a lot, I feel him all the time now and DH has been able to feel him too, so at least that’s exciting right now. Not looking forward to the third trimester- wish I could just skip over it and go from 28 to 40 weeks!