Don’t get us wrong, pregnancy truly is a miracle. But, it’s also a period of a lot of restrictions for a woman, which is far from easy. If you’re carrying your little one now, your Google history is probably full of questions such as “can you eat sushi while pregnant”, “can you ride a motorcycle while pregnant”, and more.
We get it, you just want to live the life you used to before you found out you’re going to be a mom. Maybe even try something new and exciting, such as riding a motorcycle! But, as a mom-to-be, you already feel the need to protect your baby, so you start questioning how safe it is.
Don’t worry, momma, you’ll be back to your regular hobbies in no time. We get how weird this whole transition to motherhood can be, and it’s completely normal if it feels that way. For now, however, there are some things you should avoid doing for the sake of keeping your little one safe.
We’ll answer all of your questions, so you can make a decision for yourself.
Can you ride a motorcycle while pregnant?
So, can you ride a motorcycle while pregnant? The answer is yes, but we wouldn’t recommend it. Riding one is pretty dangerous even when you’re not expecting a baby, but with your little one, you have two lives to think about.
You should always ask your doctor for advice about anything that could affect your pregnancy, but most doctors advise against riding a motorcycle. Not only is it dangerous, but it also puts a lot of strain on you. You activate your muscles to hold the balance, and your heart begins to beat faster.
On top of that, both your adrenaline and cortisol levels increase, which puts your body under additional stress besides supporting another life growing inside of you. And don’t even get us started on how dangerous motorcycle accidents can be.
Riding one has its risks even when you’re not pregnant. Even though there are fewer motorcycles than cars in America, they still took about 14% of traffic fatalities in 2014, and that number continues to grow.
Whether you decide to ride one while pregnant is up to you, how experienced you are, and whether is that the risk you’re willing to take. We still recommend you talk to your doctor so you have a clearer picture of the risks or even some benefits that riding a motorcycle during pregnancy brings.
Pros and cons of riding a motorcycle while pregnant
Since we can’t give you a clear answer to “Can you ride a motorcycle while pregnant?” question, it’s only fitting to go through some pros and cons of it so you can make a decision yourself. If you’re a rider, then it’s probably hard to see the cons because of how fun and fulfilling riding is to you. We totally get it.
However, you should always remember that you now have two lives to consider. Without seatbelts and any cover, motorcycles aren’t the safest vehicles out there. However, if your doctor gives you the green light, there are some pros to riding a motorcycle while pregnant, too.
Let’s list all of the benefits and some bad sides of riding while carrying your little one, so you can weigh it all out and make a final decision.
Pros
Any kind of physical activity is good and it shouldn’t stop, even when you’re pregnant. Although riding a motorcycle doesn’t seem like you’re doing much for your body, that’s not really the case.
In fact, riding a motorcycle for half an hour has pretty much the same effect as going for a jog! It’s a low-impact exercise that keeps your muscles working and your heart pumping. So, considering these things, riding a bike can be a nice addition to your exercise routine.
Besides being good exercise, riding can also lower your blood pressure while having a positive impact on your blood circulation, too.
On top of being a good exercise for your body, it has positive effects on your mind, as well. Riding a motorcycle can increase endorphins in your body, which can positively affect your mood, especially if it’s something you’ve enjoyed even before your pregnancy.
We know how restricting pregnancy can be. It can make you feel like you’ve lost your old self, which can negatively impact your mental health. Riding a motorcycle can give you a sense of freedom, which is why you might be thinking of trying it out at this period of your life.
Your baby is protected inside, so jerks and bumpy roads shouldn’t have a negative effect on her. As long as you’re safe, protected, and don’t do anything too crazy – your little one and you should be alright.
Cons
While there are some benefits, you’re probably trying to find out can you ride a motorcycle while pregnant because you’re aware of how dangerous it can be, and most experts would agree with you. Unfortunately, there are some cons that could outweigh the benefits we’ve just mentioned.
The first one that comes to our mind is the chance of fatal accidents, which is around 30% higher than those caused by driving a car. Unfortunately, the risk for pregnant women is even higher.
Pregnant women are at risk of falling off the motorcycle, which could cause serious abdominal trauma. On top of that, you’re a lot more prone to strain and tear your muscles due to higher progesterone levels.
Lastly, although it might make you feel better at first, high levels of adrenaline in your body caused by motorcycling can harm both you and your baby. Riding also increases cortisol, which could also increase your heart rate.
The safest trimester to ride a motorcycle
We get it, sometimes you simply can’t resist doing the things you used to love before your pregnancy, including riding a motorcycle. Although it’s advised that pregnant riders avoid doing it altogether, no matter how experienced they are, sometimes you just have to feel that kind of freedom again.
Whether you stop riding for a year or decide to take the risk and do it while pregnant, it’s up to you. However, you should still pay attention to what part of your pregnancy you’re in. If you’ve just found out you’re pregnant and you’d like to enjoy one more ride before you take a break, it should be fine.
Anytime during your first trimester, with proper precautions, you could enjoy some easy rides on your bike. Of course, since not all pregnancies are the same, we still recommend you talk to your doctor first.
In the second trimester, however, you should be a lot more cautious. If riding is something you absolutely have to do, you can try it for a few minutes with the right protection. However, you should stay away from your motorcycle completely once you enter your final trimester.
Your center of gravity shifts in the third trimester, affecting your balance, which puts you at greater risk of falling and injuring yourself.
If you’re looking for a new hobby and you’ve never ridden a motorcycle before, maybe you should try out something less risky. Because learning how to ride a motorcycle can cause you to fall quite a lot, we recommend you leave your lessons after your baby is born. You might even enjoy it more.
Some precautions you need to take
If you decide to ride a motorcycle while pregnant, you should make sure that you and your baby are completely safe. To avoid serious injuries, here are some things you should consider regarding safety:
- Protective gear is a must-have. You should always make sure you’re wearing light clothes that cover your entire body, and a high-quality helmet. These kinds of clothes will let you have better control over the vehicle and allow easier movement.
- If you’re riding an older vehicle, it might have a kick-start, which you should definitely avoid as it requires force.
- Make sure you sit properly on your motorcycle. Your back should be straight, with both of your handles at the right angle. If your motorcycle allows it, it would be great if you could use some kind of support for your back.
- Avoid wet, bumpy roads and long rides. While bumpy roads put you at risk of falling off your vehicle, long rides might lead to strain, since your body gets tired a lot faster when you’re pregnant.
- We recommend avoiding rush hours and riding at high speed. Although you might be super cautious, it doesn’t mean that others are, too. It’s best to be extra careful and avoid any possible accidents.
- Make sure you always follow traffic rules and avoid riding during bad weather. You should always have snacks, water, and medicine close to you.
Read this: Can You Snorkel While Pregnant? 10 Tips To Keep In Mind
