Pregnant riders support group? :)

[KellyEq94]

[QUOTE=KingoftheRoad;8658291]
Well, my OB said since I’ve been riding for 15 years, there shouldn’t be any problem with continuing to ride as long as I feel comfortable. I’m 27 weeks now, haven’t gained a ton of weight yet, and still riding about 3x a week - mainly W/T/C, but popped over a few 2’ verticals last weekend, which felt great. Of course there is a fall risk, but there is also a risk of car accidents, tripping and falling down stairs, etc. My OB was adamant that you have to continue to live your life, so you don’t resent the pregnancy. Not to mention that for some of us, riding is the mental stress relief that we need from the rest of life, which is also beneficial. She also said the baby is well protected, at least during the first two trimesters, so you don’t need to worry about the “bouncing around” piece.

Oh, and I’m 39, and this is my first, so I’m considered “elderly” in the pregnancy world…

That being said, I was coming on the board this morning to ask if anyone had any tips for making riding more comfortable the further you get along. I still don’t have much of a baby bump, can still fit in my breeches, but the last couple of rides, the bladder piece has been more uncomfortable than in the past. Posting the trot is kinda uncomfortable, like there is a bowling ball sitting on my bladder. Canter is better, since I mainly hang in two-point, but for some reason I can even sit the canter more comfortably than the trot.

I don’t really feel like I’m at the point yet to stop riding, because my balance is still fine - my horse tripped last week, and I was able to maintain upper body position without any issues, and even jumping small stuff, have been able to keep pretty good position as well.

Anyone have any suggestions to make the next few weeks a bit less uncomfortable? jhg suggested a belly band, so I’m going to try that this afternoon and see if maybe my breeches are actually tighter than I think they are…[/QUOTE]
Thanks, good to know. I think I have a bit of an alarmist OB. I’m 35 and also “elderly” in pregnancy. My ultrasound report literally said “geriatric pregnancy.” How totally rude!

Appreciate the inspiration … sounds amazing that you’re still riding 3x a week. I hope I can work up the courage to do so as well!

[Heinz_57]

Everyone’s pregnancy is so different - I am 32 weeks now and I am HUGE (non-maternity pants are a distant memory). I would not consider doing more than some walking and maybe some easy trotting in a low traffic arena, personally, but due to my body shape I basically look like I swallowed a beach ball and my balance isn’t great. Nor is my lung capacity!

I’ve heard good things from serious runners about belly support bands, KingoftheRoad. I have a Belly Bandit that I’m super excited about for post partum, but they also have anti partum support bands as well. It’s worth a shot! And they aren’t too spendy.

[Larissa]

[QUOTE=KellyEq94;8658303]
Thanks, good to know. I think I have a bit of an alarmist OB. I’m 35 and also “elderly” in pregnancy. My ultrasound report literally said “geriatric pregnancy.” How totally rude!

Appreciate the inspiration … sounds amazing that you’re still riding 3x a week. I hope I can work up the courage to do so as well![/QUOTE]

Your OB definitely does sound as if she’s lacking a bit in exposure. The most knowledgeable OB I’ve seen, who knows me well, is pretty on board if you just go on living your life, paying attention to your body and mitigating risks where you can. She was perfectly fine with me riding and working around horses as long as I’m comfortable, just asked me not to get body-checked by one

KingoftheRoad, I never had any luck getting rid of the baby-on-bladder problem. Even now at 18w and it’s just a uterus-in-bladder-space problem… did however find that I went through “stages” of complaints pretty frequently so it’s likely the discomfort is very temporary. Do you do any other exercising? Stretching and varied body weight workouts helped me get a little control over baby’s positioning last pregnancy. A lot of the discomfort (before baby is huge) is stretched ligaments and muscles. Movement eased the tension and felt like it freed up my organs. Agree that your riding schedule is inspiring!

[KellyEq94]

@Larissa;8658595

Your OB definitely does sound as if she’s lacking a bit in exposure. The most knowledgeable OB I’ve seen, who knows me well, is pretty on board if you just go on living your life, paying attention to your body and mitigating risks where you can. She was perfectly fine with me riding and working around horses as long as I’m comfortable, just asked me not to get body-checked by one

Thank you! It’s reassuring to hear from other people’s OBs and other people’s experiences. Appreciate the info.

[OveroHunter]

Hey guys! Thought I’d check in. I’m currently 26 weeks and 2 days and have my glucose test tomorrow. Fingers crossed I pass and don’t puke it up! I hate sugary drinks so I’m really dreading it.

I’m still riding and still getting weird looks from people lol. Luckily I don’t look as pregnant as I am since my torso is so long. I still haven’t really “popped” yet… Just look like I’m getting fatter :lol:

I’m also not a huge fan of being pregnant. I miss wine, raw fish, and my body… Which is so selfish, and I swear I’m super excited about this baby, but I just have to be honest!

As far as all the crazy rules, you have to do what works for you. I never stopped working out and lifiting at the gym and my OB is fine with that. She also told me I could ride for as long as I felt comfortable and balanced as long as I stuck to activities where the fall risk was very minimal. I’ve mostly just been trail riding my steady eddie trail horse and hacking him in the arena. I also drink a cup of coffee every morning.

[OveroHunter]

Follow up to the glucose test… It’s not the worst tasting thing in the world, but oh my is it a sugar bomb! I felt a little light headed and funny after it so I’m glad DH was there to do the driving. Hopefully I"ll have the results soon

[KingoftheRoad]

[QUOTE=OveroHunter;8659884]
Follow up to the glucose test… It’s not the worst tasting thing in the world, but oh my is it a sugar bomb! I felt a little light headed and funny after it so I’m glad DH was there to do the driving. Hopefully I"ll have the results soon :)[/QUOTE]

Ugh, I have to do mine on Tuesday - coworker told me to get it as cold as possible, and drink through a straw so you get as little taste as possible, but still not looking forward to it…

[GreyStreet]

I actually expected the glucose test to be much worse. It just tasted like flat orange soda - I think just having to drink it all in five minutes is what makes it difficult.

I am officially one week away from my due date. Can’t believe that. Baby can come ANY time…really. I am so ready.

[jhg140]

Anyone here with a history of PCOS pass the glucose test the first time? I have mine next Friday and I’m wondering whether it’s even worth getting my hopes up that I will make it through the first time. I already have elevated glucose because of the PCOS and was on Metformin prior to this.

[KellyEq94]

[QUOTE=jhg140;8661936]
Anyone here with a history of PCOS pass the glucose test the first time? I have mine next Friday and I’m wondering whether it’s even worth getting my hopes up that I will make it through the first time. I already have elevated glucose because of the PCOS and was on Metformin prior to this.[/QUOTE]
I have a good friend with PCOS who passed hers the first time, FWIW. Good luck!

[KingoftheRoad]

Glucose test today - I’m at 27 weeks, and will say that this weekend, I managed to survive a whole 45-minute flat lesson! I was pretty happy with that, given that my horse can be pretty strong at times, but all went pretty well, except getting a bit fatigued toward the end.

I’m pretty comfortable riding, other than occasionally feeling the bladder pressure, but when I get off, on the way home, man does my back and stomach area get sore! I’m not really sure what that is…heated seats and heating pad felt pretty good. I’m hoping maybe one of those support belts while riding might help, b/c honestly, the longer I can keep going, the more mentally stable I might remain!

But my trainer said other than a little bit of fatigue at the end, I still looked like I was able to ride effectively, and I’m not having any balance issues yet, so fingers crossed - hoping to get a few more weeks before it gets hot and muggy!

[KingoftheRoad]

Oh, and the trick with the orange crap - get it REALLY cold, then suck it all down with a straw as far back in your mouth as possible - keeps you from tasting it nearly so much. It wasn’t as bad as I feared…now let’s just hope the results are negative!

[OveroHunter]

KingoftheRoad, I’m also 27 weeks this week and due Aug 15!

I did my glucose test last week and got the results yesterday and I passed

I can’t ride like I used to. My balance is fine, but I get this weird pressure in my lower stomach/bladder area that is so uncomfortable. I can ride, but only for about 30 min before I just feel funny down there.

Are you doing a sitting trot in your flat lessons? I’ve been exclusively posting, but mostly out of paranoia. Judging by how much this baby moves around inside at night, he’d probably enjoy a nice sitting trot :lol:

[KingoftheRoad]

[QUOTE=OveroHunter;8668007]

I can’t ride like I used to. My balance is fine, but I get this weird pressure in my lower stomach/bladder area that is so uncomfortable. I can ride, but only for about 30 min before I just feel funny down there.

Are you doing a sitting trot in your flat lessons? I’ve been exclusively posting, but mostly out of paranoia. Judging by how much this baby moves around inside at night, he’d probably enjoy a nice sitting trot :lol:[/QUOTE]

So that’s exactly how I feel when riding - pressure in the lower stomach/bladder, almost like I need to pee, but not. It’s definitely more uncomfortable trotting, although when I really started to work and focus, it didn’t seem to bother me quite so much.

Haven’t done much sitting trot - maybe down the long side of the arena, but not much more than that. Harder for me is staying in the middle of the horse on circles; I want to cheat and lean in, which wasn’t as much of a problem before. I did get a couple of kicks during the lesson, which was really a strange feeling - coming down to the saddle while posting, and getting booted from the inside as well!

My main problem that I’m still trying to solve is that about 30 minutes after riding, my lower back and lower stomach are really sore - like driving home in the car with the seat heater on trying to get it to help my back sore…I ordered an Upsie Belly (hate that name) hoping maybe some actual support in that area might make it better.

Glucose test…passed TDAP shot…received, and my arm is sore as crap

[OveroHunter]

I used to be a good, competitive rider when I was a teenager and in college, but over the last few years I haven’t really kept up with lessons so when I found out I was pregnant I just told my trainer I would be officially taking off from lessons indefinitely. A friend of mine lent me an older Stubben dressage saddle (I have taken only a handful of dressage lessons over the years to help with H/J) and OMG has it made riding pregnant so much more comfortable! I’m so in love with this saddle that I’m seriously considering dressage lessons once I pop this baby out. I don’t know what it is, but this saddle is making pregnant riding so much more comfortable.

[jhg140]

Failed my glucose test… and just barely. Scheduled for the three hour on Friday. Ugh.

Still over being pregnant and all the unwanted commentary on my body and asking questions about how I feel when those same people darn well didn’t care how I felt before. And I apologize profusely to any pregnant woman I ever did that to before - I’M SORRY I WAS AN ASS.

Otherwise, continue to feel really good, luckily. Like, my belly has popped but I don’t notice it unless I’m actually looking. Balance is good, not a ton of pain, yada yada yada. I’m kinda sitting here waiting for the other shoe to drop.

[OveroHunter]

OMG, yes, I’m tired of starting every conversation with “so how are you feeling?”

Fine… Still fine… I feel like I saw that 10 times a day!

Good luck with your 3 hour test!

[Boo]

Figure i should join this club…im 14wks with my first
We were meant to be getting married in November but decided wedding and baby in the same month was too hard so postponed the wedding lol

So far pretty good…very mild morning sickness on and off. Im a vego and seem to be developing a dairy or lactose intolerance which no doubt will make things a bit more challenging food wise but oh well.

Still riding too tho ive stopped the archery as the biggest risk with my easy going mare is her stumbling at speed on our heavier sands. Having said that im lucky if i get in the saddle 2x a week with work etc at the moment.

[Rosie_B]

Boo - are you who I think you are from the old UDBB? Either way, CONGRATS!!! You will love being a mom.

I am 20 weeks with baby No.2 and still riding! Sitting trot is getting harder on my bigger moving WB but I still manage a little bit every ride. I am riding 4x a week and have to keep telling myself that I should be giving myself a bit of a break while riding. I got some pics this weekend and I think we still look pretty good!

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kmVj4ggLu2s/V0Q3OIUMqoI/AAAAAAAACWE/5NsrJmUBPG41F-qBYUw53qMeySRKq1lkgCLcB/s1600/May%2B21_3.jpg

https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9NHgeOKFvU4/V0Q3NCaOYaI/AAAAAAAACVo/ID9tzmAfys0ME6VfWW1dD886hOtqczuyACLcB/s1600/May%2B21_11.jpg

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q8JFVRcne98/V0Q3NHLU7GI/AAAAAAAACVk/K0o2bWqdrg8S5e_lqrOY4Kyf6H0WtVMCwCLcB/s1600/May%2B21_13.jpg

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8loiLUHBzfE/V0Q3N-f2sDI/AAAAAAAACV4/tc5BzSZd3LgLc3s2YaMIt4rcEhd7yteigCLcB/s1600/May%2B21_15.jpg

[Boo]

Probably Rosie i think i was Trey then??

Congrats to you too you look great in the pics!! I wouldnt have guessed you were preggers at all

I dont look that good lol…while ive lost weight so far the bloating makes me look a fair bit bigger but thats life Bess and i have both lost fitness very quickly…but Bess has always been very quick to lose fitness being a clydie x i expect