Yesterday I saw this really postive and inspiring article about cycling while pregnant. Just the day before I had seen a pregnant cyclist and had thought to myself I wonder if I would keep cycling if I was pregnant (which is a scenario I am unlikely to face as I don’t think I ever will be, but anyway).
It was really nice to read that she hadn’t let the views (which were often negative) of others effect her and that she carried on cycling. It was also interesting to read how in European countries women wouldn’t think of doing anything different and would keep riding until the day of the birth (I particularly enjoyed the story about the lady who cycled to hospital!)
It was also interesting (and rather disheartening) to see the way people (mainly men actually) felt it was their responsibilty and right to tell ‘pregnant women’ what they can and can’t do. It’s as if more than ever, when you are pregnant you are public property to be poked and prodded by everyone and their dog. And to be told all sorts of conflicting information about the most mundane parts of life. It seems if some people had their way women would stay indoors for 9 months wrapped in blankets.
But, overall, there were lots of encouraging responses. It was rather ironic to see that most first hand experience of cycling while pregnant were positive, and it was people who had never been pregnant (or could ever be) that were dishing out the negative advice!
I hope that we start to see more positive and encourage article about the benefits of cycling, rather than endless scaremongering.
I never thought that biking would be nice for pregnant woman though my friend keeps on telling me it’s healthy.
I always thought walking looked really hard when pregnant, cycling seems like it could be a nice relief for tired feet, and a quick way to get around!
Great article! Those ancient myths and urban legends are so hard to eradicate. A lot of people I know (in Austria), especially “older” ones, believe in nonsense like “biking is very bad during pregnancy and leads to miscarriages”. Always nice to see good (real) information about it!