What You Should Know About Mountain Biking While Pregnant

The moment that second line appears on the pregnancy test, everyone and anyone will have an opinion on your body. This is especially true when it comes to exercise and rest: you are doing too much and not enough of both, and be careful but have fun. Easy, right? That’s nothing compared to telling people you want to mountain bike while pregnant.

Mountain biking while pregnant is controversial. It is not listed as an exercise to avoid, such as skydiving and hot yoga. However, it is also not listed as a recommended activity, such as swimming or walking. Thus, mountain biking is not an activity to start if pregnant, if you have not done it before.

People exercise for a plethora of reasons such as clearing the head, staying fit, and because they love that sport. A lot of mountain bikers are passionate about mountain biking, and this includes those wanting to get pregnant and start a family. Before mountain biking while pregnant, be sure to discuss with your doctor. But meanwhile, read on about who has done it and how to make it safer.

Sonya Looney: Mountain Biking While Pregnant

Sonya Looney, a pro cyclist, shook up Instagram on March 12, 2020, when she posted footage of herself mountain biking at 40 weeks pregnant. A few days later, she had a healthy baby and told Bicycling.com all about doing what she loved while pregnant.

A quick scan through the internet reveals she is far from the only person that refuses to give up their passion simply because they are pregnant. This list includes Gen Baril, ER doctor, and passionate mountain biker.

However, Sonya and others are honest that it isn’t without controversy. The American College of Obstructions and Gynecologists don’t list mountain biking as an activity to avoid, but it isn’t listed under the recommendations, either. Then there is WebMD that would prefer it if your bike was stationary, an activity some adore and others find a bore.

Why Mountain Biking While Pregnant Is Controversial

The reason opinions are divided over if pregnant people should mountain bike is due to the risk of falling. As the Mayo Clinic points out, falling while pregnant isn’t unusual. Which makes sense because growing a baby causes a shift in a person’s center of gravity, impacting balance.

The Doctor Matters: Mountain Biking While Pregnant

When it comes to having a positive pregnancy, three things impact your ability to do what you love: your health, the unborn baby’s health, and your doctor or midwife. As somebody who has been pregnant in both the United States and the United Kingdom, that last one is the only one you can fully control, and that person matters.

When it comes to the first two: you can do everything right, but your body might betray you and, in the words of a UK midwife, “the baby didn’t read the book.” But you can shop around for your doctor (or midwife in the UK) and find a medical professional that will respect you as an intelligent person with your own life, not just as a baby incubator.

Find that doctor that will listen to why mountain biking matters to you. Then also get checked out that your body can handle it as there are specific issues, like blood pressure and the place of the placenta, that can impact how you exercise while pregnant.

6 Things To Consider When Mountain Biking While Pregnant

It’s fantastic when you get the green light from your doctor or midwife to keep mountain biking. However, even after that, there are just a few other things to consider.

Listen To Your Body

Some people get pregnant, and the only difference is that eventually, they need a bigger waistband and, possibly, a larger bra. That’s it. They feel better than they ever and, well, how nice for them.

Then there are those of us who may have been in the best shape of our lives before becoming pregnant, and then it was like being taken over by an energy-sucking vampire. Life goes from three-day overnight backpacking adventures to suddenly have to take a rest after going up the road for a carton of milk.

Thus, there are two truths for mountain biking while pregnant. First, it is certainly not the time to take your 10-miles three times a week habit to a 20-mile five days a week habit. Secondly, don’t push it, even if you can only manage a total of 5 miles in a week despite previously doing 30 miles six days a week.

Lastly, have patience. Some people who do great their first trimester can’t get off the sofa their last. The people who had to carry barf-bags just to travel from their couch to bed in the first trimester are the ones hiking the day before they gave birth (true story). Things change; go with the flow.

Always Have Plenty Of Water

You are pregnant; you’ll need more water than a camel. It’s just how these things work.

You Will Need To Pee

You are pregnant; there is a weight on your bladder; you’ll need to pee more than ever. Plan your bike routes with this in mind.

Oh, and those clever EllaPee devices are not so easy to use once the belly expands.

Stay Cool

Keeping yourself from overheating is always important, but it is vital when in the first trimester of pregnancy. Tips to keep from overheating:

• Check weather
• Be sensible about times of day
• Dress correctly
• Bring lots of water
• Pack ice packs
• Wet a buff
• Take breaks and don’t push it

Assess Your Balance

Continually assess your balance. Remember: things shift, fetuses move, your body puts on weight. So it is good to always make sure you feel confident about your balance. If you’ve had to take a week or two off for whatever reason, make sure your first day back on the bike is a gentle one. A lot can change quickly when growing new humans.

Do Not Mountain Bike Alone

You might be eating for two, but the baby doesn’t count as your second when mountain biking. So have a non-pregnant bike-buddy when going out. The human body is weird, and it only gets more bizarre and unpredictable when pregnant. So while you shouldn’t wrap yourself in bubble wrap, just be aware things are different, and it is good to have a backup.

Summary

People have successfully and safely mountain biked while pregnant. However, it is recommended to talk to your doctor or midwife and to listen to your body. Keep in mind your balance will change, and you’ll need more water than ever before. But mountain biking or not, may you have a happy, healthy, and enjoyable pregnancy. And years later, you can take your children mountain biking with you.