[Submitted Question]

We own a horse farm and I ride horses almost daily. At what point in my pregnancy should I stop? I’m about to enter my 12th week. Should I stop now or is it still safe for me to do?

[WombToBloom]

Horseback riding is an excellent sport, but not always such a great one to perform during pregnancy. Before your question can be answered, it is important to know what type of riding you're doing. If you're riding slowly on flat terrain with little risk of falling, then it's probably fine for you to continue until the middle of your second trimester. If you're riding at a fast pace on hilly and/or rocky terrain, which increases your and your horse's risk of falling, riding, particularly after the first trimester, is probably not a great idea. Of course, it goes without saying that jumping is not a recommended activity at any point in your pregnancy.

All that said, you need to be aware of how much jarring or bumping you feel while you ride. If you are at any risk for preterm labor, then a lot of jarring into your second trimester could cause enough pressure on your cervix to induce labor. You should be cautioned to be aware of your changing center of gravity as your pregnancy progresses. You may have to alter your position on the horse in order to keep your balance. Another issue to be aware of is your increasing weight - keep an eye on your horse as you get further into your pregnancy to make sure it can handle that extra 25-35 pounds.