Should i ride a bike while pregnant

Unfortunately, as Susie Mitchell discussed last week, the information on cycling while pregnant is jumbled at best. Your body is already working extremely hard creating and growing your baby.

If you have chosen to continue cycling through your pregnancy, there are a few things you will need to be aware of. If there is any medical reason for you to stop exercising, take heed. Listen to your body. During the first trimester all the hard work is going on inside of your body as you create the placenta, and this is exceptionally tiring for your body.

Be aware you will be far more tired than usual and plan accordingly. You can carry on cycling in the second trimester and third trimester but get advice from your Doctor and keep safe. As your bump grows in the second trimester, you may find it more comfortable to raise the handlebars on your bicycle so you are sitting in a more upright position. In some cases your balance can be affected by your growing bump. Common side effects of pregnancy and your changing body include backache, rib and side pain, and hip pain.

Pregnancy yoga or Pilates may help with aches and pains or try pregnancy massage. Every pregnancy is different. Bonus Tip: You can buy maternity clothing to help you cycle while pregnant. As the pregnancy progresses, your body will change and may not be able to handle as much strain and stress. For example, nausea, pain, or exhaustion are signs to slow down or stop. Ignoring such signs could endanger you and your baby. A simple test for determining whether you are overdoing it is holding a conversation while cycling.

If you struggle to catch your breath while cycling and talking, slow down. Frequent dehydration during pregnancy can lead to complications, such as low breast milk production, neural tube defects, premature labor, and birth defects.

Take enough drinking water or other fluids with you on your cycling trip. As your pregnancy bump grows bigger, your regular bike may no longer be the right size for you. For example, a growing baby bump makes it harder to bend over the handlebars.

You may find that you need to raise the handlebars to help you stay in an upright position. If during pregnancy you require a new bike to accommodate changes, go for one with swept-back handlebars and a wider adjustable seat. Stretchy clothing, like large bib shorts, are ideal because they offer a comfortable fit without stifling you or restricting your range of motion.

For optimal comfort, check to make sure your undergarments are also comfortable for riding. If you typically prefer cycling on bumpy, steep trails, or busy streets, find easier routes. As the pregnancy progresses, you might find navigating sharp turns or making sudden stops more difficult. Pregnancy requires your body to burn more energy to move. As long as you still feel like riding and your doctor says it's OK, it is safe to ride a bike while pregnant. Bike riding while pregnant is not exactly the same thing as your usual bike riding, however.

There are a few safety precautions to keep in mind if you choose to cycle while expecting. And remember, you should always check with your doctor to make sure that any kind of exercise is safe for you, especially if you have a high-risk pregnancy. Overall, peddling a bike while pregnant is a safe, low-impact aerobic exercise to do while pregnant. How prone you are to falling depends on a variety of factors, including the terrain, the traffic, and your level of experience.

If bike riding is not something you took part in before you became pregnant, now is probably not a good time to start. In general, stick with aerobic exercises you are already familiar with when you are expecting. When riding a bike, a helmet is the most important piece of protective gear you need, regardless of whether you're pregnant or not.

Falls while bike riding can leave you with some nasty cuts and bruises as well as a head injury. Accidental falls also may hurt your baby and can even cause miscarriage, so it is worth considering whether you feel comfortable continuing this type of exercise. The good news is, you can get the same physical benefits from a stationary bicycle while greatly reducing your risk of falling.

If you do decide to ride a bike while pregnant—and your doctor gives the OK—you will want to take whatever precautions necessary to protect your developing child from a potential fall. The main way to do that is to reduce your risk of falling, whether that is by choosing flat terrain, making sure your bike fits you properly or deciding to stop when you feel begin to feel off-balance later in pregnancy.

Keller says that stationary bike riding is a suitable alternative for pregnant people. She also says it's a "safer option that offers the same cardiovascular and low-impact benefits of cycling with essentially no risk of falling. Both the environment and your changing body add to your risk of falling on a road or mountain bike, but with a stationary bike, those factors all but disappear.

Like outdoor bike riding, stationary bike riding also can help stabilize blood sugar, improve circulation, boost energy, and prepare you to have both stamina and strength for labor. Because any fall can cause abdominal trauma, Keller generally advises against outdoor cycling during pregnancy, saying that indoor cycling is a safer choice.

Outdoor cycling presents many risks beyond our control - such as traffic, a sudden change of weather that could make familiar terrain more treacherous, unpredictable pedestrians, and other cyclists," she says. Whether you choose to hit the road or a stationary bike, remember that as with any kind of physical activity throughout your pregnancy , it is important to read your body's cues and listen to what it is telling you.

If something feels uncomfortable, stop or slow down. If this is the case, you may feel more comfortable replacing cycling with walking or swimming as alternative forms of safe, low impact aerobic activity, she says. Staying hydrated also is vital for both your health and the baby's when you are pregnant, so take extra care to drink enough fluids when biking.

Keller also suggests cycling in a well-ventilated area if you choose to stick with stationary bike riding. Instead of maximizing your efforts, Keller advises keeping your exertion intensity moderate.

Being pregnant doesn't mean you can't work up a sweat, though. It's actually beneficial to get your heart pumping regularly while you're expecting. Aerobic exercise is beneficial to your health and it is an important type of exercise to get when you are pregnant. Again, you probably don't want to push yourself on a regular bike due to the risk of falling.