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So, does anyone have experience riding with a newly pregnant spouse?

I realize this is largely a personal decision given the inherent risks of riding, extended periods of vibration, etc. We currently are not expecting, and if the situation arises of course we will discuss with our doctor. But, my wife loves to ride and I tend to be more of the mindset that women all over the world (excepting western cultures) work back-breaking jobs everyday until they give birth so...

Please don't vilify me, I am genuinely concerned, and interested in your opinions and experiences.

I rode with my wife in September 2005 when she was maybe four or six weeks pregnant. It was actually our best ride ever, through the back roads and rolling hills of Warren and Hunterdon counties in NJ and over the Delaware river into PA. I let it be her decision. After that, we decided that it was not worth the extra risk. It really is a personal decision.

Bob, thanks for that. I guess until I actually have a pregnant wife I won't know how it changes my assessment of risks. I may not even enjoy riding with her on the back with that risk nagging at the back of my mind.

Josh - My job is health, safety and risk management.

Ask yourself something - 'Is it worth the risk?'

Most female sports people are precluded from playing basketball, netball and the like when confirmed as pregnant because a simple 'bump' in the wrong place can damage the baby.

What's the risk of a 'bump' in riding the bike. Doesn't matter how careful you are, and how much protective gear your partner wears, some other fool can bring it all undone very easily.

There is little inherent risk of doing harm just riding or pillioning while pregnant. If anything, the excitement might bring on an early delivery if she's too far down the track.

It's the intangible risks that are the problem. Beyond two months - Forget the bike and take the car.

My two cents as a professional risk and safety practitioner.

That said - If I took my own advce I would never ride a bike - Too risky! However, I mitigate the risk with training, experience, good riding gear, judgement etc, like we all do. BUT - it still only takes one fool of a fellow rider or driver to bring you unstuck. It's a very personal decision, like you and others have said.

Mick.

One person's opinion. There are many risks I chance - riding being in the forefront - for myself. My wife also used to ride. That was her choice as well (like I could have stopped her!).

Once I became a father, or "expectant" father I learned there was a MUCH lower standard of "risk" I could stand for our child. We discussed the issue when we found out Judy was expecting. Pretty short discussion. We both knew riding was over until John was born.

But that's the choice we made. These things are highly personal and I would not question any decision you make. As always YMMV.

Mick and Bill,

Thanks Gents, both fair and balanced comments. What this really comes down to is Mrs. Newcamus and I have never been to a BMW Rally together and we want to before having a pup. I am making arrangements for us to go to the big one in Wisconsin in July. She is totally psyched about it and at the same time hoping that she will have the beginnings of a bun in the oven by then. Chances are she will not, or if she is it will be very early on. We will see, I'll make the arrangements and if things AND feelings change we'll just have to wait a few years, the bikes not going anywhere

My wife quit riding with me when she got pregnant and I agreed it was the safest thing to do. I continued riding solo but after the realization of impending fatherhood hit me, I also suddenly turned into a more conservative rider!

She has never ridden with me again, convinced that the boys would be made orphans if we crashed. I kept going, although slower and far less mileage per year!

Now, with the empty nest approaching, my mileage is climbing back up but she no longer wants to ride with me. So I am solo for the foreseeable future.

It is a personal decision but parents aren't just deciding for themselves. My advice is to do the traveling now before the rugrats arrive! Things will sure change once they arrive!

My PG first wife and I were in our car, a car hit us from the side, she miss-carraged. Don't think cars are very safe as well.

My current wife likes to jog early in the morning, I asked her if she thought it was a good idea to do so because of the possibility of a muggings etc, she told me "would ifs would not keep her from doing what she enjoyed".

In sort of an on-topic sort of way, let me add in our experience with medical opinions about riding.

My wife had a total knee replacement about 6 months ago. I directly asked/told her surgeon that we were motorcyclists and that we liked to ride, but is it safe with a "fake" knee.

His opinion was to go for it. Just take the normal care and have fun. Basically any trauma was going to be bad, but it was not going to be worse because of the knee.