Pregnant riders support group? :)

[QUOTE=WannabeDQ;8061743]
I just need to rant here for a minute. I almost started to post a FB status but caught myself. I’m aware what I’m about to complain about is stupid, selfish and narcissistic.

I miss being skinny. I miss riding my horses. I HATE sitting around the house feeling fat. I am so jealous seeing all my friends posting about their first shows of the season and pictures of them out enjoying their horses. I’m bummed because I’m making the 3 hour round trip to visit my horse at the trainers and I won’t be able to coordinate my schedule to watch her ride him. I don’t enjoy being pregnant and I don’t enjoy my body not being my own.

I think my hormones are going haywire. I can read that and rationally know that these are not real problems, yet I’m so darn upset. I know getting to see my boy tomorrow and groom him will lift my spirits and this will pass. Only 2 more months to go…

drmgncolor - please don’t let my rambling scare you, I promise the resulting child is well worth the 9 months of pregnancy. Congratulations and best of luck![/QUOTE]

New to club too :slight_smile: Due in Oct…we weren’t trying or planning (in fact felt like we were being extremely careful in preventing) so it’s been a shock all the way around lol but now that I’ve cried and pouted about missing Internationals, Nationals, and Worlds (and margaritas lol) It’s a good thing. I think it’s ok to be a little selfish! Right there with ya WannabeDQ

Hang in there, everyone! Pregnancy only feels like forever. I’m in the home stretch (6 more weeks), but I am also pretty miserable and ready to have these babies come out of my body. Even so, I’ve been really fortunate with this unexpected twin pregnancy and am still getting around fairly well.

The sucky thing is that I am all but guaranteed to have a c-section, so instead of being able to ride in May, it might not be until July that I can ride again. This is making me feel very sorry for myself. :frowning:

[QUOTE=drmgncolor;8061960]
Granted it’s my fault I waited so late to think about ordering it, but once I had it in my mind, I really wanted that cake. So I cried. Over a cake.[/QUOTE] Well, shucks, I’m about to get teary over you not getting your cake, so if you think your hormones are bad…

Seriously, the little science experiment (as DH likes to say) that our bodies go through in this process can be overwhelming - there are some massive changes and it can really be a struggle to still feel like yourself. Not being able to ride, not fitting into your clothes (hint: Gap Maternity is often on sale and some of their demi-panel pants are amazingly comfortable; Seraphine is GREAT for work clothes that don’t feel frumpy; Old Navy and Target both have way better options than you’d expect); etc are hard to take - at least they were for me. Be kind to yourself. It really is ok not to be over-the-moon-joyous-rainbows-and-unicorns all the time, particularly when you’re dealing with heartburn, gastrointestinal fun, and/or just feeling BIG.

So hugs. Sending virtual cupcakes to you.

These post’s make me smile, so glad other horse people get how I am feeling! Also relieved i’m not the only one boarding the crazy train lately… :lol:

WannabeDQ THANK YOU for saying that. You are not the only one. I am grateful and excited to meet our twins but really not loving the pregnancy experience. And it hasn’t honestly been that bad which makes me feel more guilty about it! thank you for your honesty

[QUOTE=drmgncolor;8060273]

So… since I know pretty much ZILCH about human babies, maybe the already moms out there can point me to some good forums about baby gear (what’s good, what’s crap and what is really needed for an infant) and maybe some good parenting forums as well?[/QUOTE]

Congrats, I’m due mid August and basically feel the same way! Google Lucie’s List, super helpful and great at pointing out what you don’t need. Lots of good info. I’ve also been on Pinterest searching ‘minimalist baby supplies’ with good luck. I’m from the less is more camp since now I’ll apparently be needing another pony!
As for parenting blogs, they all terrify me. My only advice is try and find one that’s humor based, trust me. And I thought horse people were crazy!!

Also, thank you all for making me not feel crazy! Every time I tell someone I hate being pregnant, they look at me like I’m insane and when they find out I’m still riding, I get the “tsk tsk neglect” look. My doctor looked at me like I had two heads when I refered to said fetus as ‘the womb goblin’. The best yet was showing up for work AND an ultrasound last week with a black eye (young horse head-butted me). I’m really executing this whole experiance with class and grace.

I’m sure I’m failing at pregnancy in most people’s eyes!

Womb Goblin lol I refer to mine as the infant inconvenience! So glad I found this post!! Also, I’m already dreading people trying to touch my belly, I want about 7 of those shirts that say “Yes I’m pregnant, It’s a ____ , I’m due ____, No, you can’t touch my belly” And I’m going to wear it every single day!

Side Note, is anyone riding despite their SO wanting them to stop? We’ve been dancing around this argument lately. My thoughts are I know my body, I’m not jumping or barrel racing or anything else dangerous, I’m a very accomplished rider riding a very well trained accomplished horse who I’ve ridden since 2008…we know each other inside out and backwards lol. Plus the SO wants us to keep biking and running together…so I say as long as I can bike and run, I can ride :slight_smile:

[QUOTE=ilmjumper;8063774]
Womb Goblin lol I refer to mine as the infant inconvenience! So glad I found this post!! Also, I’m already dreading people trying to touch my belly, I want about 7 of those shirts that say “Yes I’m pregnant, It’s a ____ , I’m due ____, No, you can’t touch my belly” And I’m going to wear it every single day!

Side Note, is anyone riding despite their SO wanting them to stop? We’ve been dancing around this argument lately. My thoughts are I know my body, I’m not jumping or barrel racing or anything else dangerous, I’m a very accomplished rider riding a very well trained accomplished horse who I’ve ridden since 2008…we know each other inside out and backwards lol. Plus the SO wants us to keep biking and running together…so I say as long as I can bike and run, I can ride :)[/QUOTE]

Yes. My husband suggested that I stop after we found out (in Feb). I’ve ignored it and gone your route. If I can still run a few miles a week and walk a mile each way to work then I’m fine to ride as long as I know my steed is not in a mood. Mine you I’ve just been flating and jumping over flower boxes.

Due in September and had to go hunt down “fat britches” last week. While I don’t feel unbalanced now, I think it will kick-in the next few weeks at which point I will be vacating the saddle. My horse is in NY, but I’ll be sending him down to VA in May to enjoy real turnout and hopefully find someone to enjoy him on the show circuit this summer.

I’m so glad to see this post, sometimes I feel like other horse riders look down on you for deciding to ride or work horses while you’re pregnant. I’m also pregnant, due Oct 1st BUT being my 2nd little foal I am huge already… With my 1st I didn’t show until I was 6 months along, so riding and showing was normal just much more cautious. Now with this baby I look 5 months pregnant and it’s only my 14th week! Eek!! So although I feel great, I’m more than likely only going to ride for another month or two and stop. Still deciding if I’m going to give my mare time off or put her in training…

Anyone breed there own horses while they are pregnant? It’s been a dream of mine but with the expenses of a high deductible plan this year, it’s almost impossible for us. Maybe next year ???

Good luck to everyone on a smooth pregnancy and recovery!

Week 14 for me…still feel great and am riding. No more (horse) showing though, I made that promise to the DH after I was done with Gulfport. Trying to find a lease situation for my gray beast, but I’m picky.

I’m not (baby) showing much yet, just very “voluptuous” up top. Which officially makes me think anyone who gets a boob job is INSANE. These buggers are annoying. Had to buy new bras!

I’ve been super lucky throughout the pregnancy and have felt fine the entire time. I’m having a boy, otherwise known as future pony jumper super star! haha

Dani - You and I are VERY close on timing. I’m due Sept 29th. :slight_smile:

[QUOTE=Nickelodian;8079826]
Dani - You and I are VERY close on timing. I’m due Sept 29th. :)[/QUOTE]

I’m due Sept 25th!

I ended up in the ER yesterday. It was super scary, but actually turned out to be a false alarm, thanks goodness. Since I don’t have a great track record in this department, my OB wanted to check it out. He met me there. I was so scared I was going to lose this one too… after making it so far.

But an exam cleared us up and the Dr can’t exactly say what was causing my symptoms. An ultrasound showed my bouncing fetus with a ticking heart.

Then the cramps started about 9:30 pm. I haven’t had any cramping so far with this pregnancy and they were mild, but lasted consistently until about 11:30. At which point I started worrying again and cried myself to sleep.

It’s probably for the best that my mare is lame, because after yesterday, I feel like I should stay out of the saddle for now.

Dmrgncolor-I had my baby in October and I’m 41! You’ve got this:) Sign up for your birth month through Baby Center. I learned so much from the BTDT moms that were having babies the same month as me. Newborns don’t need much especially if your breastfeeding. Things I couldn’t do without-Fisher Price Rock and Play for next to my bed until I was ready to put her in the crib. It keeps them on an incline so it is great if you have a reflux baby, and you can easily move it around the house. Invest in a wrap so you can wear baby, I used the Baby K’tan in the beginning, now I have an Ergo since she is bigger. Don’t go out and buy tons of newborn clothes, leave the tags on some so you can take them back if need be. Gripe water is great for hiccups and gas. A white noise machine is good in the beginning also. I had a swing, bouncy seat and play mat. It was nice to be able to rotate among those things (there’s not alot of stuff to do with them in the beginning!). If you are going to breastfeed, get a pump so dad can help with feedings. Lots of water and snacks to boost supply. I wish I would have read more about sleep before I had my daughter, that was the thing I was most uninformed about and is really the most important thing! There is a website call Troublesome tots that has some really good guidelines for each age grouping.

My trip to the ER was Saturday (well Labor and Delivery, I’m lucky I didn’t have to go the ER route). Also false alarm, also terrifying.

I’ve had cramps throughout so those aren’t concerning, but I too have had major problems getting pregnant, with several MC in the past.

I’ll be thinking of you, but know that those ligaments are a BITCH when they are stretching. Mine have been painful throughout and I’m just used to it now.

[QUOTE=Nickelodian;8080334]
My trip to the ER was Saturday (well Labor and Delivery, I’m lucky I didn’t have to go the ER route). Also false alarm, also terrifying.

I’ve had cramps throughout so those aren’t concerning, but I too have had major problems getting pregnant, with several MC in the past.

I’ll be thinking of you, but know that those ligaments are a BITCH when they are stretching. Mine have been painful throughout and I’m just used to it now.[/QUOTE]

I’m so sorry. It looks like neither one of us had a great weekend. I’m thinking of you as well… sounds like we have more in common than just our due dates and baby boys! I’m usually a tough horse girl, but these dag on pregnancy hormones…

Also, what’s up with my skin? I’m pregnant, not a prepubescent teenager again. :lol:

Nickelodeon I love your blog!! Congrats and glad we have all found this thread. You are so right those ligaments stretching are the worst.

32 weeks now! I had an incredibly long 97 hour work week so while up for a groom yesterday afternoon I popped on for a quick ride in the sunshine. What a star my mare was! We just did about 6 laps of walking, a trot circle in each direction and half a canter circle. I didn’t feel unbalanced at all but called it quits to be safe. That little ride should last me the rest of my pregnancy to not feel like I’m wasting all my extra money on my horse LOL

[QUOTE=drmgncolor;8080493]
I’m so sorry. It looks like neither one of us had a great weekend. I’m thinking of you as well… sounds like we have more in common than just our due dates and baby boys! I’m usually a tough horse girl, but these dag on pregnancy hormones…

Also, what’s up with my skin? I’m pregnant, not a prepubescent teenager again. :lol:[/QUOTE]

Ugh, all my freckles got super dark when I was pregnant the first time.

I confirmed my pregnancy this weekend, and already feel more fat and tired! Oh well, we are thrilled to be adding to our family, and this will definitely be our last child, so I’d better enjoy the perks of pregnancy while they last…

Anyone have tips on bringing baby to the barn? I’m mostly concerned about what to do with baby while I go catch my horse in the field. Do I wheel baby down to the paddock but keep baby 10’ away from the gate, catch horse, then retrieve baby and lead horse while pushing baby back up to the barn? Leave baby in the barn while I truck out to the field? Barn and horse are roughly 200’ apart.

Against All Odds-I have done all of the above-left car seat in barn while I go fetch horse (paddock is about 100 feet away), left carseat outside paddock when weather was decent to go get horse, and I have worn her while going to get him (I have a baby bjorn and ergo carrier). I also groom while wearing her. Going to try lunging next!