Riding while pregnant

[MissTwisties]

Yeah well, I never had to ask myself this question with my previous daughters. Now that I'm expecting, I do ask myself if I should ride. I don't want to stop and put my bike away. I have tried to find "facts" or studies about this on the net, nothing conclusive. On the other hand, I read a lot that if you are being careful, and ride only until it start feeling "ackward", you'll be fine.

I told myself I would still ride this summer. This baby will most likely be a December baby. I will not start to show until at least 2 more months. So I'm thinking...I will take it easy, no more speeding, and always try to ride with someone else, not by myself. Just basically still enjoying the riding season, but just mellow cruising around on my favorite roads.

Thoughts, experiences with this? (your wife, or any lady who ride and have kids on here)

[Doc]

You should be fine as long as you can fit on the bike.

Other than the increased risk from riding of course...

Get a baby on board sticker for the back of your helmet....

[BCT748]

Not sure about right now but You did just give me an idea that should be done by the time you need it. Motorcycle baby seat, maybe even put some pucks on it for track days

[medic001918]

I wouldn't advocate it. While it can be done, it does add risk to the pregnancy. There are conflicting viewpoints from doctors on the subject as well. Not to mention that slowing down and being "safe" doesn't absolve you from the risk of other drivers. It's not just about you, it's about the baby as well.

The medical side of me also has me wondering how the sustained vibrations would effect the pregnancy? Could it cause the placenta to tear away from the uterine wall causing blood supply problems? Not to mention that pregnancy increases the chances of getting a trauma workup at the hospital if anything goes wrong. It's just an added dimension of risk.

Not to mention that if you continue to ride, and something did go wrong...would you end up blaming yourself?

My wife and I have decided that when she gets pregnant, she probably won't be riding with me until after the baby is born.

Shane

[imkindafkedup]

Make it a poll,
My vote is to ride.

[spydah]

I'm not sure the vibrations would have any more effect than the vibrations in a car. Its not like she's riding a harley with mad loud pipes. Modern day sport bikes are extremely smooth with little vibration.

Compare that to the old days with horses. I'm sure being pregnant didn't stop women from going where they needed by horse. Theres a lot more vibration and sudden movement on a horse.

The only risk would be an accident. Now you have twice as much to loose.

[daviid]

my mom did it. i dont know how long till she gave up, but i know she did

[highsider]

My wife's doctor said absolutely, unequivocally not. He never would elaborate on why, but I assume it is the obvious crash risk.

[Brian675]

Your choice.

[keeena]

My wife is preggo and i put a halt to 2-up riding w/ her. She got her license a year ago and we delayed her bike purchase for the same reason. But just b/c it was our decision; never had a medical reason.

[akira700]

Vibrations of a car and that of a bike are pretty different.

Its your choice. What's more important? Riding or possible risk of
miscarriage however small. My wife had a bicycle accident though minor
she did miscarry. She was 43 yrs old at the time so it
was a very critical issue for her. But as luck would have it
she got pregnant at 45! So it turned out well in the end.

[spicy]

the miscarriage rate back in the horse and buggy days was also CONSIDERABLY higher...

though if you want to contribute that to shitty living conditions and poor hygiene/nutrition, you probably could, but i doubt there's much of a way to say "crap suspension and lots of vibrations are 100% fine"


also, an I-4 is one thing, but a V-twin is another... vibe central, at least having just ridden my bro's 600RR 3 weeks ago.

[Cheese]

There are two types of expecting mothers. Those that understand that complications happen often completely unrelated to the activities of the pregnant mother and those that second guess or blame themselves whenever anything goes wrong. If you're the latter, don't ride.

[chrisc]

Are you asking about this from a possible miscarriage situation from riding the bike?

My wife is a labor and delivery nurse. I asked her about this, and she said "tell her to talk to her doctor"

My wife rode her bicycle up until she was 24 weeks pregnant and was very, very active throughout both of her pregnancies, and her doctor supported this.

A lot of it, I assume, depends on your personal medical history, your age, your current state of fitness, etc.

Your doctor is the best one who can judge if there is a risk to the baby from riding, besides the obvious motorcycle-accident risks.

[OreoGaborio]

Get this & wear it over your jacket
"bun oven" Design on Products : CafePress.com

[MissTwisties]

Are you asking about this from a possible miscarriage situation from riding the bike?

Yes, I am. Obviously, I am well aware of the risks of riding in itself. But the way I see it is, I could hurt myself falling down the stairs in my home, slipping on ice, car accident, etc. Am I going to stop living my life? I do not want to sound selfish, and some people might think I am...but the fact is...I'm gonna love my baby with no limits, but I want to still enjoy life while he's growing inside of me, does that make sense? Of course, no more alcohol, no more RedBull, etc. LOL

If there was proven risks that riding in itself could cause problems with the pregnancy, I wouldn't do it. Vibrations? Does a EX500 vibrate that much...I wouldn't think so? I could be wrong. I am not going to ride after a few months from now, I will not enjoy a full riding season. As soon as it starts feeling uncomfortable, the bike gets put away. If anyone can find some studies on this, I might change my views entirely...but yeah what some of you said, some women keep on doing their activities (altho do restrain themselves a bit) and everything goes just fine...

Thanks everyone...I WILL talk to my doctor about this also. Your input is very appreciated.

[MissTwisties]

Get this & wear it over your jacket
"bun oven" Design on Products : CafePress.com

Thanks Pete! That is an awsome tee!

[spydah]

I'm gonna love my baby with no limits, but I want to still enjoy life while he's growing inside of me, does that make sense?

Well put. I think you already got your answer. Just be careful

[Kham]

why you shouldn't ride? because there could be accident just like the one inside you. i mean you enjoy doing it right? will there be any other question(s) related to pregnancy?

i kid

[Cowboyrider]

A lot of my friends who have been preggers have been encouraged to keep doing there normal activities, including horse back riding...

just not to start up anything new that you weren't previsouly doing.

As another woman, right now, not being pregnant I would keep riding (horse - no bike yet ) But I don't know if that would change once I was pregnant.

[medic001918]

My wife is a labor and delivery nurse. I asked her about this, and she said "tell her to talk to her doctor"

My wife is also a labor and delivery nurse and we've discussed this many times. The general consensus from what we've discovered is it's not a great idea to ride...but there are people who will say it's fine.

Shane

[Doc]

So... to clarify...the only reason it would NOT be ok is because motorcycling is an inherently risky endeavor.

It is NOT because motorcycling causes any issues or concerns with the developing fetus.

Your call Twisties. Ride safe!

[mzdagrl]

I have heard both views on this, and I agree completely with both - because the decisions were made by the woman in question. My sister-in-law (who doesn't ride) still goes to the gym, she kept jogging until a month or so ago, and she is about 7 months along right now. When it got uncomfortable, she lowered her intensity. I know the gym isn't a bike (i.e. you aren't going to have a left-turner at the gym), but jogging is decidedly more jolting than a typical bike ride, so I think if you are honest with your doctor and pay good attention to what is going on in your belly, you should be fine. And if ever you start to worry so that it isn't fun anymore - stop!

[dankatz]

I am an OB and in fellowship training to become a high risk OB.
There are no specific studies addressing the issue of motorcycle riding in pregnancy that I am aware of. There have been excellent points brought up. If you ask your average OB they would say don't do it because you'll blame yourself if you have a miscarriage early and may even find the OB liable for letting you do it. Early miscarriages happen to everyone, 20-25% of people. The older you are the more likely (ie 43yo bicycle accident probably not the cause of the miscarriage). Any activity, be it sports or motorcycle riding should be a personal decision. There are certain activities that are a no-no like SCUBA diving. I don't see how riding by itself would cause a miscarriage and it would be rather difficult to enroll 1000 pregnant women who ride bikes and tell them to continue and then see how many will have a pregnancy loss to do a proper blinded randomized trial. As others have mentioned, talk to YOUR doctor and see what his/her feelings are about this. You need to trust your doctor and their judgment - if you don't, get another one. Lastly, the issue of blaming oneself is common among pregnant women and needs to be seriously considered. There are certain activities that do contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes such as cigarette smoking, cocaine use, alcohol use, etc...but, the majority of conditions of pregnancy are beyond the control of the patient or the care provider. We are fooling ourselves if we think otherwise.
Dani

[MissTwisties]

Dankatz...thank you for your input. I have a history of miscarriage, before my youngest daughter. I lost one at 10 weeks. Just because I'm 35 and already had this happen before, I suspect the doctor will advice against it...