Stay Safe and Comfortable Cycling While Pregnant - A Guide

Exercising regularly during pregnancy is advisable for you and your baby. As long as your health care provider gives you the go signal to do so, exercise won’t increase your risk of having a miscarriage, low birth weight, or early delivery. In fact, healthy pregnant women are advised to commit to 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity aerobic activity weekly. 

There are many kinds of beneficial exercises for pregnant women. These include walking, swimming, yoga, and strength training. It’s also worth considering trying cycling to keep you healthy and prepared for childbirth. To learn more about how to boost your cycling performance, comfort, and overall experience while pregnant, keep reading.

• Consult Your Doctor

If you regularly cycle before your pregnancy, it’s generally safe to continue exercising during pregnancy. However, be sure to check with your doctor. Let them know how much cycling you are doing now and how you would like to continue it throughout your pregnancy. While you may be able to keep doing regular cycling while pregnant, you may need to ease up on your routine as your belly gets bigger. 

• Listen to Your Body

Being pregnant means your body is working extremely hard to grow your baby. Expect the first trimester to be exceptionally tiring for your body as it creates the placenta. For this reason, plan your cycling routine accordingly. As much as possible, avoid long, taxing training sessions, especially in the evenings. Cycle instead during mornings when you’ll feel more energetic.

Additionally, it’s true that exercise can help with morning sickness, but this is not true for everyone. As your belly grows, your internal organs will get more cramped. This compression can cause shortness of breath. 

For some pregnant women, this shortness of breath makes them gag. This is why it’s important to listen to your body. If cycling makes you feel worse, it’s time to take a break or slow down. 

• Mind Your Balance

During the second trimester of pregnancy, you may find it more comfortable to raise the handlebars and sit in a more upright position. However, as your baby bump grows, your balance can get affected. If your balance starts to go off, take a break from cycling. Other signs that you should give cycling a rest are some common side effects of pregnancy, including backache, rib pain, and hip pain.

• Invest in a High-Quality Cycling Clothing and Equipment

Gaining weight during pregnancy is normal. However, this extra load might cause saddle sores, which are painful lesions formed due to close contact with the bicycle seat. To make your cycling sessions more comfortable while you’re carrying the extra weight, invest in a comfy bike seat cushion or buy cycling shorts. You may also want to stay off the bike to let the saddle sores heal.

Conclusion

During pregnancy, it’s important to remember that your body works hard as it grows an entire human being inside of you. This means you have to take better care of your health by cycling and doing other types of exercises. Doing so is necessary to promote healthy weight gain and improve your overall well-being. If you decide to cycle through your pregnancy, ensure you have the right cycling accessories and other equipment to make your experience safe.

To move freely while cycling, buy a comfortable bicycle seat. At CUSHBIKE, our bike saddle is designed with your comfort in mind. It effectively reduces friction and absorbs shocks. Browse our other items today!