I cycle to commute to work. I can take the bus but prefer cycling as it’s faster.
I read online pregnant people shouldn’t cycle but no explanation why. I can imagine if your 8 months pregnant and with a large belly, there could be challenges. But I don’t understand why there would be an issue during first and second trimester when the belly is not large.
Any information on pregnancy and cycling?
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Usually when the cycling stops, that’s the first indication of pregnancy.
I only recall knowing one person who commuted by bike, and who became pregnant. That was a coworker who never stopped commuting to work by bike, I think up until the day before she went into labor. She got some flak from coworkers, but I respect it!
My impression is the worry is that a fall could cause injury. But as my wife put it, “Unless you’re planning to live in a pregnancy bunker, live your life!”
That was my impression, too - it was just the concern about falling. I feel like there might be a tinge of “cycling is so dangerous” mixed in to that.
I like that final sentiment. Personally I’ve seen tons of people with their little toddlers and even infants in various compartments on bicycles, I see no reason why the womb is any more or less safe than most of those various compartments.
It doesn’t mean there’s no risk, but heck when you think about kids being strapped to parents backs/fronts/in bicycle trailers, it makes me wonder if there really is any meaningful difference in risk?
And all this doesn’t even take into consideration the risks to a fetus while traveling by car.
My wife is pregnant right now so this is something I have read up on. All the information I found says that I cycling during pregnancy is fine, right up until the end. There are caveats though: if there are complications with the pregnancy consult your gynaecologist first (probably do that regardless), don’t cycle if there is a heightened risk of crashing (ie. when roads are slippery or balance is affected by changed centre of mass), maybe don’t go mountain biking or ride over cobbles on a road bike, don’t go too hard (keep heart rate below 115 to 145bpm) and wear a helmet.
Staying active during pregnancy is actually a good thing and can actually reduce the risk of premature birth.
If you want to ride a bike while pregnant I would talk to your doctor and take common sense precautions to reduce the risk of crashing. Stop if something feels off.
I can understand why people worry. When my wife rode her bike (she’s due in a few weeks and has stopped now) it stressed me out too. But as far as I can tell, the concerns are not really supported by evidence.
Disclaimer: I have no first hand experience with having a uterus and I’m not a doctor.
If they are Dutch, just for the brief moment they are giving birth 😝
I recently moved to The Netherlands. I expected to see pregnant people cycling. I did not expect to see people who look like they could be on their way to the hospital cycling.
How else are they supposed to go to the hospital to give birth ??
A buddy of mine recently cycled to the hospital to get pneumothorax surgery. It is not recommended to cycle to the hospital for pneumothorax surgery.
Hi! I’m a mom of 3. I biked until it wasn’t comfortable for me, something like 35ish weeks, with my dr’s approval. I did crash once when I was like high 20s weeks, doing something dumb. No ill effects, fortunately. I have friends that biked longer, but as in all things pregnancy, it’s really variable how your body’s going to feel and you just gotta go with it. Happy to chat more, feel free to dm me!
I am only 8 weeks currently and a first time mom, so a lot of unknowns for me. It feels unnecessary to stop cycling this early in the process. Cycling is the only way I typically get my heart rate up every day, and it makes me happy. And I assume Dutch ladies cycle at least until they physically struggle with large bellies.
I will take you up on your offer to DM you when I have more questions. I get a little overwhelmed sometimes. I have the book, “what to expect when you’re expecting” but it can be nice to talk to someone. Thanks!
You bet! And congratulations! The early times are maybe the hardest part, at least in the confusing and scary side of things. Lots to worry about and not a lot that you can actually do about any of it. Reach out anytime. Good luck!!!
You stop cycling the moment you are 2, bicycle is a word for a reason.
maybe a home stationary cycle might be an option?
That’s not going to get me to work
Just put some wheels on it!
Get a work from home job and then you can ride your home stationary bike to work.
I broke my collarbone, got a concussion and got a really bad scar on my knee when I had a really bad fall off a bicycle.
I can’t imagine a similar fall would be great for a fetus.
something similar happened to my spouse. car accidents destroy lives, and people get hit by cars while walking, so risk in life is unavoidable. I can’t hide inside forever.
I would argue that it’s not forever, but just to term.
I can only imagine what being cooped up for that long under ‘special circumstances’ must be like, I definitely don’t have a great record on sitting put when I should.
And I only say this as a sort of reverse Devil’s advocate with full respect that you can and maybe should ignore me. I’m just here cuz it’s on the internet and seems to be inviting comment, but there are people who like to say ‘there’s actually only a 50:50 chance for anything, either it happens or it doesn’t’, I think these people start living very conservatively after the hospital stay. Statistics are real and you can game them comfortably.
