Pregnant riders support group? :)

[rugbygirl]

My attention is so split when I’ve got my baby with me, there’s no way I can have him at the barn, even when he was a sleepy little squish who would nap for 3 hours at a time. Easier for me to put aside some time to really BE at the barn. Even if it has to be a little less frequent.

Plus, after I had him, I had unreasonable anxiety about him getting anywhere near horses. I was afraid of EVERYTHING and kept imagining worst case scenarios. Even now, I’d be perfectly happy if he never wanted anything to do with horses.

Some places in the city offer drop in child care, even for babies, which is quite affordable a few times a week. I was lucky enough to have family near by who were chomping at the bit to watch baby when I went to ride. You can also often find teenage girls who will offer to baby sit, maybe arrange something with them at the barn?

[Against_All_Odds1]

[QUOTE=serendipityhunter;8084182]
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![/QUOTE]

Thanks for the tips!

I don’t think I’m comfortable wearing baby. My mare out in a herd of 7 and some of them can be a touch invasive which makes my mare (boss) chase them off. I’d be too worried of someone coming flying at me. I don’t think paddock is appropriate for baby at this time.

[Fergs]

[QUOTE=serendipityhunter;8084182]
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![/QUOTE]

I lunged my horse once when my daughter was about a month old, and it was a huge mistake. She was safely in the Bjorn, but my steady eddy mare flipped out and was practically out of control for 20 minutes. It scared the crap out of me.

I had the best luck riding when I knew the horses were already in, carrying my daughter in the carrier while I tacked up, and then placing her in the car seat next to the ring while I rode. That said, I don’t think I ever rode longer than 20 minutes with this system! I ended up having a lovely girl at the barn watch her while I rode. It was totally worth it.

With twins on the way I have no clue how I will make it work this time, but at least my horses are at home and my ring has lights. I have a feeling I’ll be riding at 3 in morning many days!

[serendipityhunter]

Fergs-thanks for the heads up with the lunging, I think I’m just so eager to have her at the barn around the horses that I need to remind myself that shit can happen! I actually found a teenager that can watch her while I ride at the barn. She is still not sleeping through the night at 5 months (sigh…) and I am working full time now so I can only handle 1-2 times a week right now anyway.

[rugbygirl]

I actually found a teenager that can watch her while I ride at the barn.

I think that’s probably the best way to do things…that way you can focus on your ride a lot more!

There is also sometimes the option of older ladies at the barn, I know one or two that would LOVE to watch mine if I brought him along

[Fergs]

[QUOTE=serendipityhunter;8084513]
I’m just so eager to have her at the barn around the horses that I need to remind myself that shit can happen! [/QUOTE]

I was totally the same way! And then I’d try some new-fangled method of riding while having an infant nearby (like putting the Pack & Play in the back of our car at the end of the arena – that was another dumb move) and realize that it was pretty dangerous!

It’s actually so much better to have someone watching them; that way you can actually relax and concentrate on yourself and your horse.

[ladipus]

Don’t ride when you’re pregnant…it’s too dangerous…it’s only 9 months of your life…

[Fergs]

How are you doing, OP? I’m a little over 36 weeks and hanging in there! Got the c-section (boo!) booked for May 1 and between now and then I’m trying to stay as positive as I can while also resting a lot.

A wonderful girl is now doing my barn for me during the week, but I’m still managing to do it on the weekends. My daughter has had birthday parties to attend every weekend – those are much more physically trying than the barn work!

Anyway, hope all of COTH’s moms to be are feeling good!

[Barn_Dirt]

I’m 18 weeks now and my free lease horse’s saddle just arrived Sunday. His owner ordered it back in November and of course it took so much longer than expected to show up that by the time it got here it was too late (beautiful custom Antares fit to me, too ). I got on Sunday to take him for a walk and try it out but was just not comfortable doing any more than that. This is my first and while the girls in the barn all assured me that I’d be fine and that they rode well into their pregnancies I didn’t want to risk it. le sigh, le boohoo
I guess I’ll have to watch someone else enjoy it for the next few months until Baby is here and I’m ready to ride again. How long after giving birth were you ladies able to get back in the tack?

[WannabeDQ]

Barn dirt - I was back in the saddle as soon as my doctor cleared me at my 6 week post partum appointment. Don’t feel bad, I had to stop riding around the 18-19 week point with both my pregnancies (my doctor doesn’t recommend riding after 20 weeks anyway).
How is everyone else doing? I’m 35 weeks and counting down the days…

[Nickelodian]

Hi ladies, I’m almost at 17 weeks (Monday). Still riding my beloved BBH 2-3 times a week, haven’t jumped in a week or so, and not sure if I’ll continue to do so.

Used the belly band with my breeches for the first time this week, they still button but weren’t the most comfortable things in the world. The band worked like a charm! Highly recommend if you don’t have one.

[bluebird44]

I’m 10 weeks and have the okay from both doctor and trainer to continue riding as long as I feel comfortable. I’m very glad because my brain needs it. I decided to put my planned saddle upgrade on hold though. I had a wacky dream last night about frantically shopping at all the tack stores in town looking for elastic waistband schooling tights to fit me.

[Fergs]

[QUOTE=Barn Dirt;8109981]
How long after giving birth were you ladies able to get back in the tack?[/QUOTE]

My first was a really easy delivery, so I was back in the saddle two weeks later. This time, because I have to have a c section, my doc says I can’t even sit on my horse until after my 6-week checkup.

[Ms_Red_Britches]

27 weeks today!

I am shocked at how many people (mostly non-horsey) have freely made comments about how I’ll probably give up riding until the nugget is much older. Um, no. For my sanity and the safety of those around me, I need to ride!

Have you guys had similar experiences?

[Nickelodian]

[QUOTE=Ms Red Britches;8110193]
27 weeks today!

I am shocked at how many people (mostly non-horsey) have freely made comments about how I’ll probably give up riding until the nugget is much older. Um, no. For my sanity and the safety of those around me, I need to ride!

Have you guys had similar experiences?[/QUOTE]

Those would be the kinds of people that would be immediately eliminated from people I’d want to talk to. hahaha

[Barn_Dirt]

How about people asking for your stuff once they find out you’re pregnant? Apparently having a baby means I will never again need my field boots, hunt coat, or coolers?

[Against_All_Odds1]

[QUOTE=WannabeDQ;8110003]
Barn d.
How is everyone else doing? I’m 35 weeks and counting down the days…[/QUOTE]

I think I’m 3 days behind you! I stopped riding at 23 weeks I think and hopped back on twice around 33 weeks for my sanity. But… I got stuck on and had trouble getting off until someone could help me LOL so I’ve grounded myself until baby arrives. Thankfully my helper took pics before helping me slide off.

[IMG]http://i58.tinypic.com/2yyv1c2.jpg)

[IMG]http://i62.tinypic.com/33kt0nc.jpg)

[Ms_Red_Britches]

[QUOTE=Nickelodian;8110281]
Those would be the kinds of people that would be immediately eliminated from people I’d want to talk to. hahaha[/QUOTE]

Right?! I want to ask them “Do you know me AT ALL!?”

@Barn Dirt;8110312

How about people asking for your stuff once they find out you’re pregnant? Apparently having a baby means I will never again need my field boots, hunt coat, or coolers?

That’s just crossing the line! lol.

[EmJ628]

[QUOTE=Fergs;8109858]
How are you doing, OP? I’m a little over 36 weeks and hanging in there! Got the c-section (boo!) booked for May 1 and between now and then I’m trying to stay as positive as I can while also resting a lot.

A wonderful girl is now doing my barn for me during the week, but I’m still managing to do it on the weekends. My daughter has had birthday parties to attend every weekend – those are much more physically trying than the barn work!

Anyway, hope all of COTH’s moms to be are feeling good![/QUOTE]

Fergs you are so sweet to ask! I am doing good, hanging in there. I’m at 22 weeks now and I grounded myself after 20 wks. I wasn’t uncomfortable but I got so winded and hot I was worried about my heart rate. Riding is my main source of fitness so its been frustrating to see myself losing muscle Other than that, I am doing great and the kids are growing really well. We found out we’re having two boys! Fergs I’ll be sending you jingles in two weeks for your c section- you are almost there!!!

[Nickelodian]

[QUOTE=Barn Dirt;8110312]
How about people asking for your stuff once they find out you’re pregnant? Apparently having a baby means I will never again need my field boots, hunt coat, or coolers? [/QUOTE]

Call it pregnancy hormones, but I might respond with a simple GFY.

I’m pregnant, not dead. Although yesterday, I felt a little of both.