Pregnant riders support group? :)

[ilmjumper]

From the other side I gained about 50 lbs :eek: and at my 4 week check up I’d lost 30 of that. Without doing anything except walking and breast feeding.

Milk storage is a toss up for me right now… The bags are easier to pump in to me and cheaper in the short term, BUT only usable one time whereas the bottles I can wash and reuse. Once I go back to work I’ll probably get food grade freezing trays and just freeze in oz portions then store in gallon freezer bags. Seems to be the cheapest option in the long run.

[kalidascope]

I’m also looking larger without looking specifically pregnant. Having been naturally lean most of my life I feel awkwardly different (but am only 14 weeks along). Had to buy maternity pants (actually, stretchy harem pants - the maternity ones were hideous) today because all my pants are non-stretch hipsters and I can’t sit comfortably at work without unbuttoning! :eek: Will have to get stretchy leggings for riding/teaching soon I think because most of my breeches have the same problem (though standing is less tight than sitting). Hate to think what a few months down the track will be like!

[KateR]

I finally caved in at about 20 weeks and got maternity pants as I was sick of walking around all day with the buttons on my pants undone! Plus it was getting to the point where that wasn’t enough and I refused to wear them with the zip undone too! I went to the second hand store and got a black pair for work and two pairs of jeans for $4 each

[CRTXLaw]

31 weeks here. Getting down to the home stretch, and getting more and more excited as I feel more prepared. 2 baby showers in 2 different cities down, 1 more shower in another city to go! Childbirth and infant CPR classes done, newborn care class is next week.

Thebump.com tells me baby is now a pineapple. crazy. I am starting to get pretty uncomfortable and started having back spasms, so I go around with a back heating pad now. That part is not fun.

It’s hard to stay focused and productive on other things - I am just eager for the holidays and getting a little rest before baby arrives!

[drmgncolor]

[QUOTE=rugbygirl;8394585]
I refuse to be weighed. [/QUOTE]

I can’t say that I blame you. I felt like I got “fat shamed” at one of my appointments when I saw a different doctor at about 6 months along. I happened to gain 8lbs that month with a grand total of 16lbs gained my whole pregnancy up to that point. While she said it wasn’t anything to be alarmed at, she did tell me to watch what I gained. :rolleyes: So, of course, that made me super conscious from that point on. But once I hit 9 months there was nothing I could do to NOT gain wait (or get stretch marks… those showed up overnight!)

At delivery, I had gained about 30lbs, which is average for my height/pre-prego-weight/build. I lost 20 of that in the first 2 weeks without even trying (Yay, breastfeeding!)

Now, at 6 weeks post delivery, the other 10lbs are still sitting on my hips and through the waist, but once I get cleared to begin exercising, I think I will be able to get back down to pre-prego weight by Christmas. And while I can squeeze into my pre-prego jeans, I am still rocking yoga pants as my belly is still a bit touchy from the c-section.

Keep on keepin’ on, ladies! You’ve got this.

[pinkpony321]

Ack! CRTXlaw reminded me that I need to take the infant CPR class, and stat.

Seriously, ladies. Eat healthy and don’t worry about the numbers! It’s all worth it in the end!!

Well, hubby is on his way home from his poorly timed trip, and thankfully it doesn’t look like I am getting a new horse trailer out of his bad judgement

At my ultrasound last week, baby was measuring at around 6 pounds, and with a month to go, that number is making me really nervous! I told the little guy that he needs to slow it down a little:)

[JLC]

Its getting cold here in NJ where I live… Are any of you ladies investing in a maternity coat? Not much is fitting nicely over my belly and I have just been wearing zip up jackets and coats and not zipping them up, but as it is getting colder not sure what to do… What are you ladies doing that live in colder climates?

Don’t really want to spend the $$$ on a maternity coat that I will only wear for 1 season…

[Edith_Piaffe]

Thought I would jump in on this thread! Not pregnant yet but we are doing fertility treatments (IUI) and I’m wondering if any of you rode while in the process of doing similar treatments? My doctor told me to keep up with my normal routine as long as I feel good, but I’m reading on other internet forums that people take a break from riding during the 2 week wait. I decided to keep riding (it’s necessary for my sanity) but if this cycle doesn’t work I am contemplating taking it easy for at least a week after my next procedure.

Also, I noticed that the hormones (progesterone and HcG) make me SO scatterbrained. My trainer asked me to jump a simple sequence of 6 fences today (one line and 4 angles in a figure-8), and for the life of me I just could not stay on course! I have jumped this very same sequence numerous times without any problems, so I’m blaming the hormones. I was so frustrated that I almost burst into tears. Has “pregnancy brain” been an issue for anyone else while riding? If so, how did you deal with it? And is this something I should let my trainer know about so she doesn’t think I showed up drunk to my lesson?
Hopefully I’m not hijacking this thread…just thought that this would be a good place to ask my questions, rather than starting a brand new thread.

[caballogurl]

Edith Piaffe - I also went through fertility treatments and I chose not to ride, but I did IVF. When they increase your follicle count with FSH there is a risk of ovarian torsion. Also, with all the money I was spending I didn’t want to decrease my chances.

[JLC]

[QUOTE=caballogurl;8400180]
Edith Piaffe - I also went through fertility treatments and I chose not to ride, but I did IVF. When they increase your follicle count with FSH there is a risk of ovarian torsion. Also, with all the money I was spending I didn’t want to decrease my chances.[/QUOTE]

I work in reproductive medicine and you absolutely should not ride when your ovaries are stimulated because of the risk of ovarian torsion.

[Edith_Piaffe]

[QUOTE=JLC;8400190]
I work in reproductive medicine and you absolutely should not ride when your ovaries are stimulated because of the risk of ovarian torsion.[/QUOTE]

Wow, that is good to know! I wish my RE told me that. I specifically asked her about riding and explained the type of riding I do. She said to take it easy the day after the procedure but after that I could go back to normal. I did not ride in the days leading up to the procedure (after the trigger shot) because I felt physically uncomfortable, so glad I listened to my gut on that…had I known about the risk of ovarian torsion I would have taken a longer break after the IUI. This is definitely something I’m going to research on my own and ask her about the next time I see her. So glad I posted here!!

[Small_Change]

[QUOTE=JLC;8399938]
Its getting cold here in NJ where I live… Are any of you ladies investing in a maternity coat? Not much is fitting nicely over my belly and I have just been wearing zip up jackets and coats and not zipping them up, but as it is getting colder not sure what to do… What are you ladies doing that live in colder climates?

Don’t really want to spend the $$$ on a maternity coat that I will only wear for 1 season…[/QUOTE]

I lucked out, as my regular Ariat winter coat has side zip gussets and some straps around the middle that I just let out as I got bigger. Maybe something similar would work for you?

[butiwantedapony]

I really wish people wouldn’t worry about weight gain while pregnant. I gained 65# with my son and lost most of it I first 8 weeks after delivery, the rest came off slowly over a couple months without me trying and I ended up a few pounds less than where I started.

I’m on track to gain the same amount with this baby- and not worried about getting it off. Breastfeeding and mild-moderate activity will take care of it. Your body needs the energy! You’re building a human!

Most of the weight goes right to my middle - I make big babies!

[rugbygirl]

[QUOTE=JLC;8399938]
Its getting cold here in NJ where I live… Are any of you ladies investing in a maternity coat? Not much is fitting nicely over my belly and I have just been wearing zip up jackets and coats and not zipping them up, but as it is getting colder not sure what to do… What are you ladies doing that live in colder climates?

Don’t really want to spend the $$$ on a maternity coat that I will only wear for 1 season…[/QUOTE]

Motherhood maternity was selling coats fairly cheaply, I bought a wool pea coat type and a parka style one with side zip panels that expand for about $150. They are not well made coats, but will make it through this pregnancy as well as lasting through the first. You can buy a few types of “universal” zip in panels too, usually available in plain colours.

Alberta means winter coats are not optional! You could also try a poncho or wrap or something, if that fits your style, you could wear it later.

I have a lillputi baby wearing coat that works for maternity with a zip in panel. You flip the panel over to turn it into a baby wearing coat, and you can set it up for front or back carries. The coat is neat, but I don’t feel its really worth what I paid.

[Hunterkid]

I always wear huge men’s coats BC I’m cheap and buy them on sale for $10 at farm and fleet in the spring. I’m hoping not to have to buy anything…I’m also always freezing, it’s been horribly windy out and I’m hoping I’m able to make the whole winter doing all my chores.

[KateR]

No advice, Edith Piaffe, but good luck!

[She_s_Pure_Gold]

I just bought a winter coat at motherhood maternity, a 3 in one that can be worn with panel while preggo, with panel flipped to put baby under (in carrier) and then the panel can be removed and the coat worn like a regular coat after baby. Was on sale, less than $100.

[pinkpony321]

Anyone else paranoid about barn cats and toxoplasmosis, or am i the only crazy one?
Today I was out in the windy run in tending to my old horse while the vet worked on an abscess, and I am pretty sure I breathed in a lot of dust and dirt from the footing in there, which the three barn cats have regularly used as a litter box. Now, of course, I’m freaking out.
I thought most of my paranoia left after the first tri… Guess not. For some reason, toxo has been a recurring obsession/fear of mine this whole pregnancy.
I guess here’s where the now weekly doctors appointments will come in handy!!

[kalidascope]

What did everyone do for breeches? I can’t do mine up comfortably now, and they don’t stay up with the button undone (I have no butt to hold them up!). I’m not riding a lot but I teach in them. I don’t want to wear jeans (which are all uncomfortable anyway, ug).

I have a pair of Kerrits tights which are comfortable but not at all durable (I keep poking holes in mine) or stain resistant. Any suggestions for something similarly comfy/stretchy but much more robust? Tough Riders?

[She_s_Pure_Gold]

I bought a size up that worked for my first trimester into my second, but I haven’t been riding since before I outgrew them (~18 weeks or so)- probably a size or 2 up in some tights or low-rise breeches (below the belly) might work?