So I'm not a newby here, but for the sake of privacy, I did make a separate account to talk about this as we aren't really ready to tell anyone as it is pretty early. 

Recently I found out that I am pregnant. It is still pretty young, I'd say 5 going into 6 weeks. This is my 3rd pregnancy in the last 7ish years, the last two I had were miscarriages and both ended at around 9-10 weeks. The last one was especially difficult for my husband and I, and we decided to wait a while to try again. We have been prepping for this one for a while (6+ months) and I did not expect to get pregnant right away (within the first month). When I first found out I had my week of being extremely emotional, highs and lows, but now I am starting to get my head on straight I feel like. This pregnancy is a LOT different from my last 2, I am getting all of the hormonal feels (nausea, tiredness, fatigue, cramps, tenderness, sensitivity to smells) when my last two I only had one or two things. 

My doctor is telling me to keep doing what I've been doing. I know many women out there that continue to ride and barrel race when they are pregnant. My thing is, is I have been planning for MONTHS to go to Buckles and Barrels 4 Bailey at the beginning of September. I've been working hard to keep my horse legged up, we've been running in a bunch of different pens large and small, getting our timing down. I sent out my entry fees and paid for my hotel room the first week the entries came out. This has been my first year that I am actually able to go and the stars have lined up perfectly, but now I am pregnant and I am a little concerned about running barrels. I feel like WHAT IF something happened and we slipped, slid or tripped, how guilty would I feel? But then there is the other side of me that has been putting up months of hard work and effort, and my horse is exceptionally well footed and has not taken a bad step since I got him. He takes very good care of me. My husband is not worried about my riding, he says that it is still the same risk I've always taken when running barrels but I don't know if he's saying that to make me feel better or if he really means it lol  

I have seen many women do it and I will still be in my first trimester come the beginning of September, the baby will not be that big at that point and will still be in the protection of my body or so how my doctor explains it. But now when I ride, my mind is on this little bundle growing inside me. My horse is very safe, honest and consistent and I trust him wholeheartedly. I feel like I'm between a rock and a hard place. I would love to hear your stories! 

I have no stories. But you have to do what right for you!  I lost a nephew and momma took all precautions and then some and still lost him and they already lost one before that.  It doesnt matter what you do.  We all take chances everyday by just waking up and getting out of bed! 

Congrats!!! The fact that you already thinking the safety of your child and not even bigger than a nugget means you gonna be a great mom! and probably from here on out you will question yourself even when your child is an adult!  Well so I been told  never had kids myself or the desire for them!

Praying that you carry full term and enjoy it!!! again a huge congrats!!! and you will be fine no matter what you decide!

I did have a friend that rode in the last trimester her belly hit the saddle horn  I wont lie I was really concerned but I wasnt in her shoes.  When baby was born the emblical cord was wrapped around his neck.  She later told me that she wish she had quit riding sooner!  but cord still could have been wrapped anyways so who knows.  He has growned up now!

I think there is a time to quit riding especially if your belly touching the horn

Congratulations!! My husband and I had a hard time getting pregnant, once we finally found out I was, I quit riding. Not because I wanted to but my husband begged me too. LOL Horses and barrel races will always be around but do what YOU feel is best for you. No ones opinion matters other than yours and your husbands. If you both feel like it is decently safe to run what you are riding then go for it. I have nut cases around here so secretly I didn't feel safe riding what I had. Maybe have someone run for you? You still get to go, be around everything, run the show, but someone else rides for you. Again congratulations Mama!!!

I don't barrel race, but I roped until I was 5-6 months pregnant and quit when it became uncomfortable. I know several girls who ran barrels well after that. My doctor told me to continue to do what I had been doing but listen to my body. When I first found out I was a bit hesitant for a few days or weeks (I ride horses for a living) but with a little time I was riding normal and confident again.

Since you have a history of miscarriages I would not risk it, there will always be barrel races and you will have plenty of time for barrel racing after the baby gets here. But I would not be barrel racing at all if I had a history of 2 miscarriages just not worth it. I rode and barrel raced while I was pregrant but stoped barrel racing I think around 5 months and then I just rode and helped with the roping stock. But with someone with a history I would be parking it and enjoy that baby growing in you..

Thank you all for your feedback.

Turnburnsis, I don’t think I would go that far! I think once the baby is starting to show, I feel like barrel racing will be set aside and I will just ride.

Claire, I have thought about having someone run my horse but my list of people I trust to ride him is like, very small. He needs an experienced rider not because he is bad, he is very soft in the face and very light with leg cues and I don’t want someone to ruin him.

Little_Bug, I think that is where I am at. I know that I can ride, I am just a little hesitant about it at this point, but I feel like if I keep riding then maybe I will ease into it. I’m usually pretty picky about where I run, I am familiar with what grounds are good and where people have issues with slipping and falling anyway. There are some pens I refuse to go to because I’ve seen too many horses trip, fall, slip etc.

SouthTX, well my point of view is this. I have been resting more (seriously, I’ve been sleeping a LOT) but the doctor told me to keep doing what I’ve been doing. Generally, miscarriages are beyond our control and there is no evidence that exercise ‘causes’ a miscarriage. My first one I was still riding and working out, but I was in great shape before the pregnancy so I continued on. The second one, I literally did EVERYTHING right..and everything I was supposed to, dotted all my I’s and crossed my T’s including stopped riding and I still miscarried.  The made it so hard to lose that one because I tried SO hard. The OB swore up and down that is was nothing I did that caused it and nothing I did could have changed it. That was a hard pill to swallow. 

 This one is a little different, I haven’t been stressing as much to make it perfect and so far I feel it is a lot different than my other two. So that is where I am at, I would like to continue riding because it is a form of exercise for me and it also keeps me sane in my crazy, busy world right now.