Riding after baby

[Wee_Dee_Trrr]

I’m interested in hearing people’s general timelines for getting back into the saddle after having a baby.

I’m experienced (with riding), but will be a first time mom. I am an amatuer who purely rides/events because I love it. I only do a handful of shows a year at this point.

My pony is not a “steady eddy” and will occasionaly throw in some unnecessary fancy maneuvers.

I’ll head back to my job after a 12 week maternity leave.

How long did it take you (as an amatuer who does not need to start back into riding for work purposes) to ride again? To show again?

Baby Girl is due in 3 months!
I’m just curious. Thanks!

[Mango20]

I don’t remember exactly - I know it was at least 6 weeks due to having some stitches down there, but I doubt it was more than 8 weeks or so.

Unfortunately, my time before I got back to showing was measured in YEARS. It really depends on how much help you have with the baby, really. I was not able to ride consistently enough to event, so I just stuck with doing what I could when I could. My baby recently turned 15, and we both ride and compete now.

[GreyStreet]

I’m also following - due mid-May and haven’t been riding. I’m dying to start running and riding again this summer!

[lmlacross]

It totally depends on the delivery. Candor forthcoming, so hit “back” if you’re not looking for childbirth aftermath conversation.

With my son, I labored 11 hours at the hospital (though I pushed for only 20 minutes). I came in at 5 cm after regular contractions for a day at home, having been sent home once when I didn’t progress. I received an epi within an hour of admission. 2nd degree tear. I didn’t feel normal downstairs for about six months (pressure, mostly), though I think I could have ridden without significant pain after the stitches came out.

With our daughter, I started contractions while cooking Thanksgiving dinner. They continued regularly through cleanup and bedtime, and finally I went to the hospital at 2:00 AM or so (admitted at 8 cm) and had her about an hour later. Props to the OB anesthesiologist for getting my epi done in fifteen minutes! I pushed twice. Superficial, first degree tear. I felt great the next day and, apart from bleeding, nearly 100% normal within the week. I spent just the one night in the hospital. If I’d had a horse at that point, I seriously could have ridden about 1 1/2-2 weeks out without batting an eye, and was running (albeit slowly) in that timeframe.

I think (though I’m not sure) that the difference was mostly due to the very little time I spent pushing with #2. I also preferred my anesthesia the second time around. With my first, I was totally numb from the waist down; I felt nothing at all, and I relied on the monitor to tell me when to push. The second time, I felt just enough on one side (think really bad cramping) to inform my pushing. I think I had a better sense of what I was doing with #2-- plus, I didn’t have to do it for as long.

For me, with two uncomplicated births, the greater issue has always been one of time and exhaustion. My physical recovery was relatively quick (much quicker the second time around), but the amount of time it takes to solidify a sleep routine and the simple need to be home for one’s child make getting to the barn a challenge. Kiddos are now 4 and a little over 1, and this is still a challenge.

[ww3467]

In case you haven’t seen it, there’s a lengthy Pregnant Riders Support Group thread in the Hunter/Jumper forum.

[PNWjumper]

Lots of pregnancy info on this board - there’s a new group every year!

I agree with lmlacross that it totally depends on the experience you have, and the baby you have, and the husband/support you have, and so many other factors.

With my first (son) I rode up to the day I gave birth, and just knew that I would be back in the saddle in a matter of days. But I tore badly and even the thought of riding hurt! It took me 6 months (and a couple of awful procedures) to get back in the saddle again. I had him in October and didn’t really start riding again until April. But once I was back in the saddle I resumed showing at a relatively normal rate.

I rode up to the week before having my second (daughter) and figured it would take me several months to get back in the saddle. But my OB/GYN was prepared for me and took the birthing opportunity to repair the damage that had been done when I had my son. I was back in the saddle 3 or 4 days after having her, and was back to showing at the same level I had quit jumping at in a matter of weeks. I had her at the end of January and started toting her along with me to horseshows at 10ish weeks (mid April) and kept to my full show schedule that year.

[Wee_Dee_Trrr]

Thanks guys. I’m just curious!
I haven’t seen the other thread yet, I’ll look for it.

[echodecker]

TMI ahead…

I had to stop riding at 6 months with my son because all I had were young unpredictable greenies and with the round ligament pain, my reflexes were too slow in my sest and legs to be safe. I found that out the hard way, but stayed on at least! I had a straightforward labor that lasted about 14 hours from start to finish, i was at 6cm when I went to the hospital at 730 and started pushing at 1130, had him at 1227. Minor first degree tearing that she stitched up.

So I absolutely could not have ridden at 7 or 8 days post partum, but felt good enough to get on my trusted mare at 10 days (she wasn’t at home during my pregnancy). I rode her 3 or 4 days a week for the first 5 or 6 week and then gradually got back to my young horses.

Here’s the TMI…you can’t control your bladder right after having the baby when you are riding!!! Every time you post up, you’ll pee yourself a little! It’s worse on a bigger moving horse obviously and with longer stirrups! Never saw that coming, but after the fact, I’ve heard its more common than I would have guessed! So wear a good pad when you ride, and pull your stirrups up a few holes!

Might not be such a big deal if you are already riding with jumping length stirrups but dressage length will get you! Also, I had no problem sitting the trot (with peeing) although there will be some residual soreness regardless…

Currently 7 months pregnant with the second one and still riding (my green mare has grown up aome) just doing dressage, no jumping because she is a little too athletic and quick for me to cope if something went wrong over fences. Hoping to keep going til the end, in the saddle isnthe only place I’m really comfortable these days!

[Foxtrot_s]

My own experience - I was riding fit right up until I had my babies. BUT at five months I was evenitng Training and fell off simply because my balance was altered with my widening middle. Then I was so keen to get back into the game I fell off again while schooling - because my balance was altered after I got rid of the bump. Got used to being heavy, had to get used to being lighter again.

[Wee_Dee_Trrr]

I’m still riding some, but not often. My pony is not the most reliable guy in the world and with the weather and feeling blah… well, ya know. Been sitting on the barn owner’s older QH and putzing around a bit and doing ground work with my pony when the weather cooperates.

My husband does not ride and is a bit afraid of the horses. We agreed that I wouldn’t jump while pregnant. My last ride was about a week ago and pony was fantastic… until he spook/bucked x2. He’s very athletic. I didn’t fall, but it definitely took me longer to recover than it normally does. I don’t think husband would have approved… And it had me questioning if it’s worth it.

[echodecker]

That’s a little like what happened to me with my first pregnancy. Had a couple small bucks put me up the neck because my balance and relflexes were off…decided it wasn’t worth the risk. I called it my wake up call!

Fortunately my husband lets it be my call although I’m sure he would be happier if I stayed on the ground, he has to live with my grumpy self when I don’t ride!

[Wee_Dee_Trrr]

Fortunately my husband lets it be my call although I’m sure he would be happier if I stayed on the ground, he has to live with my grumpy self when I don’t ride! :-)[/QUOTE]

Same here. That’s why I get on the old QH when I can’t stand it any more. Otherwise I literally cry. :o Old QH thinks he’s being naughty when he shakes his head a bit. :lol:

[Fergs]

[QUOTE=Wee Dee Trrr;8562710]
I’m interested in hearing people’s general timelines for getting back into the saddle after having a baby.

I’m experienced (with riding), but will be a first time mom. I am an amatuer who purely rides/events because I love it. I only do a handful of shows a year at this point.

My pony is not a “steady eddy” and will occasionaly throw in some unnecessary fancy maneuvers.

I’ll head back to my job after a 12 week maternity leave.

How long did it take you (as an amatuer who does not need to start back into riding for work purposes) to ride again? To show again?

Baby Girl is due in 3 months!
I’m just curious. Thanks![/QUOTE]

After my first, which was a regular uncomplicated delivery, I was riding within about a week or so. My second was a much more complicated birth (c-section plus other complications), so it was more like 5 weeks after he was born. My first was born in November, so I didn’t show until the following June. My second was born in April, and I did my first show (a CT) in mid-June.

It’s easiest to find the time to ride when they’re super small, assuming you’re able to give them a bottle and someone else can watch them. As they get bigger, sleep less, and get sick all the time, it gets harder, but it can be done! Congrats!

[cbsh13]

I competed until 20 weeks. It was July and miserably hot so I just hacked around until about 27 weeks. After that it was too hard to get off my 17h horse so I threw him in the field. I had a c section and was riding the day after my 6 week follow up. My baby girl is 4 months and I have done 2 schooling events and plan first recognized in April. I have found it is more difficult negotiating logistics of baby care than the actual going back to riding. Luckily I have a husband who knows I will go crazy if I’m not riding so he is very good and picking her up from day care etc so I can go ride after work. Good luck…not gonna lie the first 8 weeks were rough and I wanted to return her but it’s much better now.

[Wee_Dee_Trrr]

I’m working part time (3 ten hour days/week). So I have 4 days a week to figure out riding and baby. My husband is available weekends and my mom is local and happy to help a couple days a week. We’ll see how it all works out, but as of now I’m feeling very fortunate for the position I’m in.

I’m due Memorial Day. We are pretty excited.

[Romily_Bernard]

I’m due just before you!! Measuring a week ahead so either May 12th, or May 19th. Am so lucky I can still ride. Wonder Pony has been VERY good about the whole thing. I’ve even managed to teach her to help me get off (my enormous stomach gets in the way of freaking everything). Jumping is a no go My stomach hits her funny and my balance is off

But riding is riding and I am a MUCH nicer person when we put in a good workout.

Thanks to everyone for sharing their stories! I really hate not knowing how I will fare from giving birth. Massive tearing or no? C section or not? We have a plan, but I know I have to stay flexible and I loathe that. I want to schedule everything

[NeverTime]

Congratulations! I’m due a couple of weeks before you with #2. With #1, I rode right up until I had her, but by the end it was just hacking because that’s what felt comfortable. I ended up with a C-section, so had to wait 6 weeks for a surgical recovery but didn’t have any of the bladder or girl-parts related complications.

I agree with lmlacross that, for me at least, being physically ready ended up being the most minor issue. I was exhausted (sigh… having already had one and knowing how are it is at the beginning, I sort of wish I could fast-forward #2 to toddlerhood; I’m just not a baby person), like REALLY exhausted, and it felt like my baby needed me constantly, so it was really hard to get away from the house even if I had people ready and willing to watch her. If you are breastfeeding, getting away can be really tricky for a while. If you are a great milk producer, it might be easier because you can nurse and pump back-to-back, then leave the house with a bottle waiting for the next feeding. But if you need a few hours between feedings for your own supply to return, which I did, it was kind of like (1) nurse baby (2) RUN out of house with a 1.5-2 hour clock ticking, (3) blaze through 30 minute ride and get phone call as you are getting off, with screaming baby in background, “Please come home, she’s hungry again.”

It can just be trickier than you expect, even if you have people to help, to disengage yourself from your child for long enough to get to the barn and ride. When I could get a couple of hours to myself, sometimes I wanted to exercise, sometimes I wanted to ride, and sometimes I just wanted to eat in peace or sleep.

I think the important thing is to not put too much pressure on yourself or set pre-baby goals about when you’ll be back at a competition. There will be enough stress in your life that you can’t control without adding stresses that you can opt out of. Just see how it goes, and if you find yourself settling into a rhythm where finding time to ride regularly is fun rather than stressful, then you might be doing your first event back this fall. But if you discover that just quietly hacking your horse on the days you can make it to the barn, and not committing yourself to a 4-5 day a week serious riding schedule, is what works best for you, then allow yourself to be that rider for a while.

[lmlacross]

@NeverTime;8563450

If you are breastfeeding, getting away can be really tricky for a while. If you are a great milk producer, it might be easier because you can nurse and pump back-to-back, then leave the house with a bottle waiting for the next feeding. But if you need a few hours between feedings for your own supply to return, which I did, it was kind of like (1) nurse baby (2) RUN out of house with a 1.5-2 hour clock ticking, (3) blaze through 30 minute ride and get phone call as you are getting off, with screaming baby in background, “Please come home, she’s hungry again.”

Oh God. I think I blocked out the pumping. It all just came flooding back to me. (-:

[Wee_Dee_Trrr]

I’m pretty flexible when it comes to when I get back around to doing everything. My pony isn’t going anywhere, he’s established in his training… I’m not worried.

It’s actually my mom that has this arbitrary timeline for my riding. When it comes up she’ll say things like “Oh you’ll be back for such and such event.” I’m due late May, and said event is early August. The thought makes me cringe a little! I’m sure she’ll forget about her timeline once the little girl arrives, but at the moment it’s annoying to have her “planning my comeback”.
^^Makes me sound like I live with her or that she funds my riding. None of that is accurate. She’s just overly involved. haha!

[Foxtrot_s]

Oh the joys…fortunately my husband came along while I was nursing - we had a camper so it was off to ride, back to nurse, off to ride, back to nurse…

Another memory - I used to ride sidesaddle so at the end when riding astride made it feel as if the baby would just pop out, I wore my husband’s riding breeches and rode side-saddle until about three days before.

I was blessed with such an amazing horse…so kind and tolerant. She even let my older child (22 months) stand under her as she had had a foal at the same time as my new baby - monkey see, monkey do – that is until I saw daughter reaching to nurse the mare…