21weeks cycling to work?

[Mawgatron]

I went for a short experimental bike ride today, and it felt fine. I have avoided cycling since my BFP because of paranoia about falling off, but I feel like it should be ok.

Also, I have basically turned into a sofa from doing NOTHING in terms of exercise, if I start cycling again then I will be getting a solid half hour/45 mins of exercise 5 days a week.

Obviously I know about being careful, lights, road awareness etc, but am I being stupid to consider it? My bike is a town bike, and the riding position is very upright, so I am not hunching over my bump.

Verdicts please! Xxxxx

[janey1234]

I don't know... I'm 18 weeks and used to cycle a round trip of 26 miles 2-3 times a week. Since getting my BFP I've not done it once, I'm just too scared of falling off. I've only fallen off once, and been knocked by a car once, but I know the risks of cycling in central London aren't great and frankly personally don't want to risk it...

But then again I do love to worry, so maybe I should just back in the saddle!

[Bejeena]

I am only 12 weeks and am still cycling but I do still in intend to be cycling at 21 weeks too, and further.

My moto is quite simple, if I am not well enough to exercise for 30 minutes a day then I am not well enough to go to work, end of.

Of course this attitude might change.

I didn't cycle in the snow and ice though, which I would have done pre pregnancy, also for fear of falling off.

[PacificDogwood]

You should do whatever you are comfortable doing - physically and mentally IYKWIM.

Personally I can see no reason at all why you should not cycle if you have normally cycled that route before.
Being pregnant is not the time to take up kick-boxing possibly, but everything else? Keep doing what you have always done.

[comixminx]

I cycled during both my pregnancies (in Oxford). Obvs you don't want to fall off, but I wouldn't want to fall off if I wasn't pg either! The pregnant body is generally pretty sturdy and you'd have to have a serious accident of the sort that would cause anyone difficulties before it caused issues for the baby. Be careful and sensible, but if you feel stable and comfortable enough (eg no SPD problems) then go for it.

[comixminx]

Ps I kept cycling till going on mat leave each time: 38 weeks first time, just under that with pg 2.

[GinAndSlimlinePlease]

My friend did it all the time until she went on maternity leave. as a fellow cyclist I thought she was unnecessarily putting her and baby at risk.

But it's your call! If you're relaxed, you should. Also, the exercise will do you good :)

[cyclecamper]

I'm 21 weeks and would cycle if I had the energy - the first signs I had that something wasn't right (it didn't occur to me that I could be pregnant) was not having the energy to cycle to work and back. We went cycle camping in January and will again (hopefully) in March and April. I had to get off for the hills, even really small ones! If my Husband gets over his chest infection, I shall be enrolling him to pilot the tandem in a couple of weeks so that I can get some excercise. I might even dig one of my bikes out and give a few short trips a go soon.

[topology444]

I am currently 39 weeks pregnant and cycle daily. Actually I prefer cycling to walking as I do not feel my weight so much. At the beginning I was worried about falling but then I made a small survey with my cycling friends/family: It seems everyone remembered a fall but every fall was more than 10 years ago (40 years in some cases...). I decided that it is very unlikely that I would fall during my pregnancy and that I could take the risk.

I also spoke to some dutch/german friends: They were surprised that anyone recommends not to cycle (here I mean commute cycling, not mountain biking or racing) if you have a healthy pregnancy.

[CityDweller]

I would if I could! It makes my spd so much worse though, so I had to reluctantly give up around 22 wks. I've cycled everywhere most of my adult life, and I hate not being able to now

[SoftSheen]

I cycled to and from work until about 30 weeks, at which point I started to feel my balance wasn't so great, and so I walked/ got taxis instead (luckily only about 2.5 miles each way).

Just do what you're comfortable with, but make sure you ride carefully and have a safe route.

[owlface]

I'm 33 weeks and cycle 5 miles a day. I have adjusted my bike so I can put my feet flat on floor. It isn't an optimum cycling position but it makes me feel safer. I didn't cycle in the snow and ice, but I wouldn't have done that had I not been pregnant either as I have had a couple of accidents before. I was so glad to get back on my bike though, I hated being dependent on others for lifts to work etc. I can't walk far anymore for a variety of pregnancy related issues, but cycling is fine, no pain. I checked again with my midwife last week and she said I can carry on as long as I want.

[bogwoppitinatree]

I only cycle once a week on the day I have to get the train to work. 22 weeks (2 weeks ago) was when I simply lost the energy and really struggled. I have put bike away now for the next few months. I think it simply comes down to how you feel and how comfortable you are. I do have a very active job though (teaching in an outdoor environment) so I am already quite tired when I finish work and don't feel the need to push myself too much in terms of extra exercise. I wouldn't have qualms about continuing though if I felt up to it.

[Woodifer]

Last time I worked full time and cycled every work day up to ML at 38 weeks. I had SPd and found it so much easier than walking.

Now I'm 12 weeks, have a crazy 15 month toddler and work partime, really miss not cycling on my non-office days. Been pretty cautious of snow and ice.

Totally personal choice based on perceived risk, balance, comfort and energy.

[Christelle2207]

depends on the route, round here no cycle lanes and would be worried about being knocked off by some idiot.
i fell off my bike at about 8 weeks and was fine but v shaken up at the time to have fallen off while pg. only been out in good weather since.

[pourmeanotherglass]

I kept cycling up to around 7 months the second time. I work in a city centre hospital with no parking, so it was a choice between a 20 min cycle or a 40 min walk - and I'm rubbish at getting up in the morning so I stuck with the cycle.

[Mutley77]

I would if you can and don't feel any ill effects. I feel so lazy this pregnancy - even doing a 20 min walk knackers me out - and I'm sure that is no good for me or my baby.....

Although I wouldn't want to encourage you and then you end up falling off and doing some damage - as a fall from a bike could be serious - so do what feels right.

[CorporeSarnie]

I cycled up until 34 weeks (delivered at 36+5), it was easier than walking as I had mild SPD, kept me active and in spite of EMCS, I was up and walking slowly into town (only 2miles) within a week of birth.
I mainly used cycle paths, but did cycle on-road where it was appropriate, and didn't feel particularly more vulnerable... falling off or being hit is a possibility if cycling, but so is having a serious crash if you're driving, and no-one would tell a pregnant woman not to drive because of this finite risk.
If you feel up to it and enjoy it, do it.

[Mawgatron]

Right. I'm gonna do it. Once the freezing rain/blasting wind settles down a bit ;) thanks for all your advice ladies, have bought a nice comfy gel cover to put over my lovely stylish brown leather one for the time being, and seat is lowered in preparation.

[IceNoSlice]

Going against the grain here... But I stopped cycling to work quite early on. Mainly due to morning sickness and safety concerns (I was pg in mid winter and my route was v icy). I used a MTB and hence was leant forward which made me feel ill and squished my tummy though.

Do be aware that balance can be affected by pregnancy in some people. But if you feel fine and safe, you'll be fine.

[AmericasTorturedBrow]

I carried on cycling til 8months because SPD was so much worse when walking. Do whatever feels comfortable

[mackerella]

I carried on cycling with my first pregnancy right up until delivery at 36 weeks. I've got a Dutch bike, though, so the upright riding position and very stately pace that it tends to encourage were both perfect for that - to be honest, I didn't really feel any difference in my balance or road skills. Like CorporeSarnie, I was also up and active very quickly after an EMCS, so I'd like to think that the cycling helped with that. I found cycling was the most comfortable way to cover distances over about 1.5 miles (we don't have a car so the only other options were walking or public transport), and I liked the feeling of independence that it gave me.

I don't really understand why it would be less safe to cycle during pregnancy, especially as it is the norm in countries with a high rate of cycling anyway (Netherlands, Germany, Denmark...) I didn't feel that my stability or road sense were compromised by being pregnant (ymmv, of course) and I certainly wasn't worried about falling off, given that this is not something I have done for about 20 years! I understand that the implications of being in a serious accident are more severe, of course, but I don't think that you're any more likely to be involved in an accident than when not pregnant.

[cocktailhour]

Hi, just wanted to echo the positive comments above. I'm 34+6 and haven't cycled regularly for the last 10 days, mostly due to weather in London but also the fact that I simply can't swing my leg over the bar on my mixte bike anymore. Having said that, I Boris biked yesterday and it felt like the most delicious thing ever!

Am picking up a rather girly Pashley this evening; decided to take the plunge as it's fully step-through plus v.g. for baby seat post-arrival. At 34 weeks I spoke about my cycling concerns with my GP (a fellow cyclist) who said it was absolutely fine to continue riding through London but that I should choose my route with care (I think this applies whether you're PG or not, TBH!). He also said it would help the mobility of my pelvis which would be a good thing for labour/delivery!

Perhaps I'm being naive but I think you'll know if you can handle it/when you should stop. As for me, I'm hoping to stay on the bike until I stop work at 38/39 weeks. At the moment it's the only regular exercise I'm getting and far, far less tiring than walking!

[LittleMilla]

I've been inspired by this thread and hopped back on my bike this am (16 weeks) after quite a long time off.

I used to cycle before my DS and stopped when I was about 16 weeks with him. We lived in London then and I suddenly felt nervous, which in my mind is when you become dangerous. I am a firm believer that a confident and decisive cyclist is a safer one.

Anyway, we now live in Bristol and I have started FT work again. Been having to drive to take DS to nursery but DH got a bike seat for him this week and I was SOOO jealous of them yesterday that I got back in the saddle this am. It felt amazing, just so liberating.

I'm not sure my cycle home (mostly uphill) will be quite as much fun though

[owlface]

Ooh cocktail, enjoy your Pashley!