Pregnant riders support group? :)

[CRTXLaw]

My LO is 6 weeks old and I took my first full riding lesson and jumped for the first time the other day. I have some horse shows tentatively marked on my calendar in May and June, so I’m excited!

JLC and Forward Ride - My attempts to introduce a “schedule” haven’t exactly worked, though I haven’t really given it a serious try. We have a good routine going though, basically 3 hour cycles of E.A.S.Y. with the timing of the cycles fairly similar each day (give or take 2 hours on either side). I start work (part time to begin with) in 2 weeks so I’m aiming to get the “schedule” a little more consistent soon.

Welcome Tequila! I didn’t find anything that helped with the nausea much, and I tried everything short of medication. If you’re like most it will be over in a few weeks - hang in there!

Congrats She’s Pure Gold! The first few weeks can be exhausting and an emotional/hormonal rollercoaster at times, but it gets better and better, at least that’s been my experience. At 6 weeks I am feeling relaxed and on cloud 9 much of the time, trying to savor these days.

[pinkpony321]

Congrats She’s Pure Gold!

[JLC]

She’s Pure Gold - CONGRATS!!!

CTRXLaw - please tell me this gets easier by 6 weeks ??

[Larissa]

[QUOTE=JLC;8553003]
She’s pure gold - hang in there! Although if I knew what I know now I would go back to being pregnant (j/k). Newborns are HARD and postpartum depression is real… Let us know when you’re on the other side.

Tequila - wish I could give you move advise on the nausea, but I was very fortunate that I didn’t really get sick. Just hang in there. My first trimester I was just exhausted 24/7. My second trimester I felt amazing and that is something you can look forward too…[/QUOTE]

You poor girl. PP depression IS real and such a terrible time. It just sucks the enjoyment right out of your sweet baby. Hoping the hormones loosen their grip on you and anyone else soon.

Tequila - I have no useful advice on the nausea either. I was sick my first preg from 5-20 weeks. Terrible as it may sound I actually skipped eating some meals during the worst of it - at an average weight, my doctor assured me the baby is just fine and would use stores from my body. When I could I ate only what agreed with me - for a lot of people it’s fast food or carbs but I found simple sugars (melons, peaches) and natural fats (avocados, olive oil heavy dishes) soothed my stomach best. My doc recommends combining carbs and protein. Things like peanut butter and crackers, plain meat and chocolate milk, tortilla and beans. Not sure I always have the fortitude to try something so solid but it can work.

Anyone have any experience with subchorionic bleeds? I’ve been bleeding throughout the first trimester of this pregnancy. Today’s ultrasound showed it has tripled in size (over 4 cm). I’m told to eliminate all activity and lifting for the next few weeks and we will recheck; it should subside. Baby is fine. Supposedly I shouldn’t worry but this is mentally tough - I had a super difficult delivery with the first and some early miscarriages so I’m having trouble imagining myself being the “typical” patient.

[Larissa]

[QUOTE=JLC;8555242]
She’s Pure Gold - CONGRATS!!!

CTRXLaw - please tell me this gets easier by 6 weeks ??[/QUOTE]

If you mean the sleeping… I’d say it gets different. I had a happy but non-sleeping baby. Could.Not.Nap.That.Sucker. Eventually I was too tired to follow the books and the advice any more and we found our own groove. He never adhered to the eat-activity-sleep cycle. He was eat-sleep-eat-activity-eat-lay-in-crib-loudly. I developed some indifference that he was awake so much (5-6 hour stretches) and also found I could trick him into sleeping by doing small snack feedings when he acted hungry and then a larger feeding when I wanted him to go down.

Sleep training is a bit of a mind f*ck. It’s not a one-and-done activity, like I was led to believe. It’s more like “sleep practice” and it lasts for… months/year. Every few weeks many babies experience what they call “wonder weeks” and all your prior training goes out the window as their little system adjusts. Truly, just find a system that maintains your sanity and stick with it. Many studies show it’s not the training method that determines success, it’s the parent’s consistency at applying it.

[pinkpony321]

I will also say that sleep training is not a one-size-fits-all thing. My little guy is a cat napper(less than 45 minutes at best). Has been almost all of these nearly 3 months. But, he’s a super happy baby, sleeps well at night, and is meeting and beating all of his milestones…so I’m just kind of letting him do his thing.
Trying to force the issue made my happy baby less happy, so what was the point?

[RxCate]

Freshly pregnant here, not sure how far along yet, my appointment is next Tuesday. This is my second, but we had a molar pregnancy last year which was traumatic, so I’m not getting my hopes up since I’m at risk for re-occurrence.

Already have the lovely bloating, super nausea, and lethargy, which is awful.

Not riding as the weather has been shoddy.

On the topic of sleep, we were super lucky with our first that he slept pretty well, waking every 2hrs or so to feed then go back down, and transitioned to his crib seamlessly. He was so easy, that I dread the next one being a demon haha

[KateR]

Congratulations She’s Pure Gold and RxCate!

JLC, I’m sorry you’re having a tough time and hope it gets better soon

[TequilaMockingbird]

Thanks for all the advice on the nausea everyone. It’s still lingering and I’m almost to week 13. Luckily I’ve been able to gain weight as most of the time I’m either throwing up stomach acid first thing in the morning or I only throw up a little bit. It’s still really annoying to be queasy all the time. My doctor gave me Diclegis and told me to take Pepcid AC. Yesterday was bad even with medication while today seems better so far.

I stopped riding last week. It started to feel gross, uh, down there. Riding at the walk is fine but anything more is uncomfortable. I’ve been working my mare on the ground though; lots of raised pole work, small jumps and reintroducing long lining. My trainer is also putting two rides on her a week. Maresy is going to wish I was riding her instead as she’s basically in horsey bootcamp now.

I found out on my last visit that I am negative for toxoplasmosis. I was actually hoping I’d already been exposed as then I wouldn’t have to worry about it. Oh well…

In 4 weeks I’ll hopefully be able to find out the sexes but it will be my last ultrasound with my regular OB. After that I will be seeing a Perinatologist to ensure the two babies are not competing for resources and other complications that a standard OB doesn’t have the equipment to test for.

One thing I am really looking forward to is decorating the nursery. You guys need to share your pics and ideas! I know we will be spending a lot of time in there so I want it to be a place I enjoy being and find relaxing. I was thinking hot air balloons would be cute but haven’t made up my mind yet.

[Judysmom]

Hi finally chiming in here! I’m just 12 weeks now, and it’s been super helpful to read everyone’s experiences.

Because of my age, im going to see the genetic counselor next week for an ultrasound and testing. Any COTHers have the Maternit21 testing done? I’m reading mixed reviews/ experiences on the internet.

[pinkpony321]

[QUOTE=Judysmom;8560582]
Hi finally chiming in here! I’m just 12 weeks now, and it’s been super helpful to read everyone’s experiences.

Because of my age, im going to see the genetic counselor next week for an ultrasound and testing. Any COTHers have the Maternit21 testing done? I’m reading mixed reviews/ experiences on the internet.[/QUOTE]

I had the informaseq test which is basically the same thing as Materni21. My quad screen came back abnormal, hence the extra test since I am otherwise low-risk. Those types of screenings are super accurate, gave us peace of mind, have zero side effects, And we found out the gender super early(optional). Totally worth it to me. Since it’s just a blood draw, I can’t think of a reason not to do it, especially since your insurance will cover it if you’re a high risk pregnancy.

[drmgncolor]

[QUOTE=Judysmom;8560582]
Hi finally chiming in here! I’m just 12 weeks now, and it’s been super helpful to read everyone’s experiences.

Because of my age, im going to see the genetic counselor next week for an ultrasound and testing. Any COTHers have the Maternit21 testing done? I’m reading mixed reviews/ experiences on the internet.[/QUOTE]

Yep. I had Maternnit21 at 11 weeks because of my advanced maternal age and history of miscarriage. Seriously, the bloodwork code with my insurance read “senior maternity panel” :lol: :rolleyes:

[Judysmom]

[QUOTE=drmgncolor;8561022]
Yep. I had Maternnit21 at 11 weeks because of my advanced maternal age and history of miscarriage. Seriously, the bloodwork code with my insurance read “senior maternity panel” :lol: :rolleyes:[/QUOTE]

Ack! Lol! I know exactly how you feel- I feel very young in all other respects, but I’m classified as “advanced maternal age” ??

Thanks for the input Pinkpony & Drmgncolor. I was just reading that about some false positives. Chromosomal abnormalities is a big concern of mine.

[kalidascope]

Do any of you have your horses at home? I’ve got most aspects sorted, including evening feed and hay, but will need to feed hay and balage every morning to 8-10 horses who live on the property. I’m not sure how it might work, and it will be winter (rainy/windy) for us here. It takes about 20-30 minutes.

Do I do it with the baby in a backpack, weather permitting? I don’t think a pram will work as I’ll need my hands free. Do I leave him napping (if he sleeps!) inside? Who else has done this?!

[JLC]

Kalidascope - I am having a hard time getting the dog out, but I would say dog isn’t as patient as the horses. Its time for us to install a fence. If the horses have to wait an extra half hour for the baby to fall asleep, no big deal. I would say you could do it… Not sure how it would work as baby gets older and is more awake. My guy usually stays up 45min to 1hr max at a time right now.

[Wee_Dee_Trrr]

Hello all, I’m pregnant from eventing land. I just started my third trimester. :eek:
This will be our first, and we’re having a girl.

I’m curious how long it took people to get back to riding after baby?

My only trick for nausea that I found was having carnation instant breakfasts in the AM. It was pretty much the only thing I can keep down.

[RxCate]

I was back to normal at pretty much exactly 6 weeks after birth. It really depends on the delivery (if you tear, have to have a C, etc) and the person.

[Larissa]

[QUOTE=kalidascope;8562075]
Do any of you have your horses at home? I’ve got most aspects sorted, including evening feed and hay, but will need to feed hay and balage every morning to 8-10 horses who live on the property. I’m not sure how it might work, and it will be winter (rainy/windy) for us here. It takes about 20-30 minutes.

Do I do it with the baby in a backpack, weather permitting? I don’t think a pram will work as I’ll need my hands free. Do I leave him napping (if he sleeps!) inside? Who else has done this?![/QUOTE]

I was self-care when I had my dude in November. It wasn’t always practical to bring him to the barn but when I did I typically wore him. This obscenely expensive jacket eased my mind about keeping him warm and dry. It was WARM with both of us in there! Many other styles of babywearing jackets too.

http://evymama.ca/products/the-m-coat-more-colours-1

I wish I could advise on options but that was about all I used. I do not leave my dude alone in the house but might have considered it for 20m if my monitor had far enough reach to come along with me.

[nativehiro]

Hello! I am going to finally introduce myself as I been spying on this thread for the past few weeks. First time mom and currently @ 11.5 weeks. No big symptoms of any sort which is amazing and scary at the same time (like is anything even there??), but we heard the heartbeat yesterday which was cool

I currently am riding and hoping to for as long as I can:yes:

[pinkpony321]

Little vent/whine regarding mom guilt:

I don’t currently own a riding horse- I was shopping while pregnant and then decided I need to see what my schedule would be like with a baby.

I’ve ridden a handful of times since giving birth (3 months ago, tomorrow) and it’s been wonderful. But the thought of going to the barn stresses me out. I am lucky enough to have a supportive group of friends who will let me ride their horses whenever I want, but they’re an hour away. So, packing the kid up, driving the hour, and then leaving the baby with hubby or grandma in the barn guest house while riding stresses me out- mainly because he cries most of the time when I leave him and at least 30 minutes on one leg of the drive. I feel bad because he’s happier at home. I feel bad for whoever is caring for him because he is crying. And I feel bad because that could all be avoided if I didn’t ride. This weekend, for example, one of my friends has paid for me to do a clinic as a gift, but the thought of going is stressing me out, even though I am excited to ride with this particular clinician.
I know I need to get over it and just go do, because my sanity/happiness is important, and I’m not actively harming my child for these 4 hours once a week, but it’s so hard.
This has been my biggest challenge in my transition to motherhood- I know I’m lucky.
Thanks for reading. Vent over.