Vanessa Ruck’s Pregnancy Journey: The Realities of Riding and Motherhood
Vanessa Ruck’s Pregnancy Journey: The Realities of Riding and Motherhood
As a passionate motorcycle rider and athlete, Vanessa Ruck’s journey into motherhood is filled with excitement, challenges, and a few unexpected twists. Here’s her story
Yes, you see that right… A mini Vanessa – Ruckymonster is coming in December 2024. Eeek. I am 16 weeks pregnant!
Pregnancy is a magical journey, but it is different for everyone. And it is safe to say I’ve been a little off my game recently, and that’s down to the energy that growing another human puts on the body! As a female I feel like it’s’ something we don’t seem to talk about enough. We’re just expected to crack on and act like everything is fine. Which is not the way it should be, we should be sharing our experiences, uplifting and helping one another through what can be a very tough but also very rewarding 9 months. This is why I have decided to share my pregnancy journey with you all, from the good, the bad, the highest of highs and lowest of lows.
What is this new body I am living in? Where has all my energy gone? (18 weeks)
My goodness I feel like I barely even know my own body! The headaches, sporadic morning sickness [thankfully minimal for me], constipation [yes…and diarrhoea…], sore breasts but the toughest part is the energy! It’s like I’m running on 5% juice. Ok I’m not the best for resting in general… The Himalayas, ABR Festival etc are big events on a normal body but doing all these things with pregnancy has certainly been a learning experience.
While right now I can still see my toes, I know they will soon be disappearing behind my growing bump and already double sized boobs!…
What’s next in the adventure?
This is going to cause a pause in my motorsport activities; however, my longer-term goals remain the same! I will be riding, driving and not quitting as our family grows. I want to thank my sponsors for the incredible support they’re showing me, all bar one who has walked away.
My commitment to motorsports, providing a positive but real perspective of life, and giving energy to the world remains as solid as always!
Pregnancy is exhausting!
“You are the most badass women I know”… But even ‘tough’ people have lows. This is what happens when you decide to sit on the kitchen floor because you are too tired to stand and wait for the kettle to boil…
Who’s body am I living in? And why is it so tough? (19 weeks)
Everyone says pregnancy is incredible but for many, like me, it can be a really tough period and I genuinely don’t feel society talks about it enough. I’m 19 weeks and I’ve had;
- What feels like chronic fatigue for nearly four months
- Raging headaches that cloud your entire world
- A digestive system that can’t decide between gridlock or fast fire
- Hormonal changes leading to frequent bathroom trips, even without my bladder being crushed
- Up to four pees a night, disturbing sleep even more than my achy joints already do
- Insomnia, likely worsened by the uncertainty of what’s ahead
- A noticeable loss of strength, likely due to fatigue and energy diverted to growing a human
- Constant feelings of hunger, as my tummy behaves like a rescue animal that’s never been fed
- Dizziness and nausea, along with hip pain worsening from body changes and extra weight
- The hormonal rollercoaster of irritability, tears, mood swings and (sorry to hubby Ruckymonster and Anika for having to deal with me)
And let’s not forget the body changes that feel completely out of control. My breasts have already doubled in size without even producing milk, and my belly is unmistakably growing. Thankfully, I still fit into Ruckymonster’s trousers!
It’s all totally overwhelming… Yet millions of women go through this, and we expect them to carry on as if nothing is wrong. In the first three months, when you can’t tell people you’re pregnant, it’s especially hard. I’m used to putting on a brave face with my pain, but I wish society was more open to sharing the realities of pregnancy.
Yes, it’s wonderful; I’m growing a whole new human, but my goodness, it’s a journey!
The glow! The magic! (20 weeks)
Pregnancy isn’t all as it seems! As I have said previously I have been having a rough time, but I’m unbelievably relieved to have finally made it to the second trimester ‘glow’ that everyone raves about. I’ve now had 5 days without a throbbing headache and absolute exhaustion. OK my bowels still don’t know what’s going on, my abs are rapidly becoming unusable (you should have seen me stuck on the ferry top bunk in Norway…the mama belly roll onto the side has begun) and the shooting ligament pains as the abdominals stretch are there (worsened by my strong core), oh and no longer being able to fit 80% of my trousers…that’s all part of it. But I am finally starting to see the magical side of growing a little human inside me:
- I no long just look like I’ve been eaten all the cake, I actually look pregnant which brings so many loving smiles from total strangers – that energy is invaluable
- My porn star size boobs are no longer incredibly sore (bonus for Ruckymonster)
- My hair is thicker, nails stronger and longer, and my skin clearer than it’s been since pre puberty
- The baby bump massages from my family Alex and Anika are heavenly both for relaxation but also soothing the stretching skin
- I’d love to say my energy is back to normal; it’s still far from it, but it’s considerably improved, making adventures with my bump fun! We even did a 5-mile hike up Sugar Loaf in South Wales.
- The bond with hubby is incredible. Getting to see his face as he feels it wriggling inside me plus at scans as he holds my hand watching the little black blob on screen. It’s magical.
You have my word that I will continue to share the honest realities of my journey so if there are any areas you’re particularly in, please let me know.
The excitement of motherhood is building
We have our first baby outfit!! Whilst I was riding a Harley Davidson Road Glide CVO motorcycle in Norway with Tour1 I was gifted this little outfit from Julie one of the lovely ladies on the tour.
Check out my YouTube for more detailed riding motorcycles while pregnant information
Emergency pregnancy hospital visit (22 weeks)
Following an excruciatingly painful night of cramps and next to no sleep I had to make an unplanned visit to the emergency maternity triage. With the NHS at breaking point I have to say I’m super impressed by the support. It was a considerable wait but the midwife, doctor and nursing team were wonderful at the Grange University Hospital.
I had initially just put the stabbing cramps to constipation (a common joy of pregnancy) but it seems something more is going on. I guess I have good news and bad news. The good news is that the baby is super happy and there are no issues or concerns with pregnancy. The bad news is the pain is due to the scar tissue caused by my three previous ovarian cyst surgeries. The scar tissue is effectively pulling and stretching with the uterus growing, which is causing excessive pain.
There is no treatment, way of helping it or improving it. It’s a case of trying to manage the pain. And it could disappear and go away. But it could come back again in two weeks time, for the rest of the pregnancy. But least we know what it is and it’s nothing malicious.
The good news is the little Mini Ruckymonster in my belly is happy, wriggling and with a strong heart beat. Life is never smooth sailing, so when you see all the shiny perfect lives on social media, please remember that we all have battles and challenges.
I still want to be me, active, fit and strong (24 weeks)
Pregnancy doesn’t have to mean losing who you are or what you do! Fitness through bump growth is certainly a new challenge but hey…who’s going to shy away from a challenge? Not me!
Listening to your body is a huge part of pregnancy, staying active is also extremely beneficial in more ways than people realise but also exercise with the correct technique is key, which is where I am so thankful to have Emily from EBWfitness to support with personal training and dedicated pre/postnatal bootcamps!
Emotional rollercoaster or wake up call…? (25 weeks)
Recently I had an emotional break down over Ruckymonster opening the packet of wraps wrong… Like seriously!? No packet opening, or should I say ripping technique, matters that much in the scheme of life. The important thing was us realising that I’m pushing myself to hard. My hormones are a roller coaster with pregnancy but I’m not helping myself enough with the changes in my body and the energy it takes. I’m exhausted. Last night I snapped.
Millions of women have gone through pregnancy but somehow many of us feel so under prepared for the journey – or at least I do. As my bump grows I’m trying to adapt, some things are like post my accident, such as being kind to myself, resting, changing movements to avoid strain… Yet somehow I keep piling on the pressure to myself. I need to get more done, I need to build the right ‘nest’ for the baby, the big to do list, I need to keep fit and active, weed the garden, spend a week in the digger on our projects. Fight on…
Tonight was a wake up call. I need to rest more. Time for a new mattress to try and improve my terrible nights tossing and turning, time for an afternoon nap to help my bodies energy for baby growing and time to be kinder to myself. I’m terrible at resting!
I am terrified, the importance of having a support network during pregnancy (26 weeks)
How would you describe the emotions of being pregnant…? TERRIFIED, that’s the honest answer I would’ve given you two days ago. However this weekend I gathered together my family and closest friends for a baby shower, it felt a little bit American but I’m never one to put off having a celebration.
My lovely mummy did a baby bump blessing with me and my closest female friends. I didn’t really know what to expect, but, there is an amazing sense of tranquility within my soul following the ceremony.
My best friends, mum, mother-in-law and Anika all gave me so much energy love and support, not just telling me that things are going to be okay and perfect, but being realistic and helping me understand that there are going to be huge challenges ahead and that’s okay and that’s normal but with my personality and support from my tribe and Ruckymonster, I’m going to move into the next chapter of motherhood with great energy.
It’s incredible to know that I have such a strong support network and how that has given me a new level of peace about the huge transition and life change of going from an extreme sport athlete to being a mum… But don’t you worry! The extreme sport athlete isn’t going anywhere she’s just having a pause because she’s a fat Oompah Loompah
You’re too old… You’re too young… (27 weeks)
The world is so full of judgement about when is the right time to become a mum and have a baby. As I stand here today on my 38th birthday I can hand on my heart tell you that right now at this age, someone described as a geriatric mum, is the perfect time for ME to have children.
Yes I could’ve had children when I was 22, 17 or 28 but my mental state, my ability to create a nest, and my desire for adventure and my own life first were far from ready or fulfilled.
I will admit that my accident in 2014 dramatically enlarged the timeframes in which I felt ready to have a family, so much time in bed and in rehabilitation then I had this extra fire and desire to make up for lost time, pushing the idea of being a mum further back.
But thankfully with healthy lifestyle, fitness and incredible modern day medicine, having children later in life is perfectly acceptable and feasible. You might face fertility and falling pregnant complications, but I’m very grateful that Ruckymonster and I didn’t face these.
What I want to say here is that you and your partner are the only ones that can decide and say when is the right time pre-warning – if you’re like me, no time is the right time! Only you and your body will know.
Don’t let society push you into having a family early, into having a family at all or not having a family. It’s your life… own it!
The worst day of pregnancy so far (28 weeks)
As the 3rd trimester hormones escalate my goodness it’s worse than I thought. The last 5 days I have probably cried more than I have since post-accident.
The area I am struggling with the most is the catastrophic change. For Ruckymonster and Anika, not much has changed – other than having a fat hormonal Vanessa to deal with. But for me, I’ve had 6 months of losing sight of who I am. The baby arriving is not the moment life changes for a woman, it starts the day you get pregnant! I feel out of control of my own body but worse, my life.
The person I have fought so hard to become, a strong athlete, breaking boundaries, proving women can in countless races… it’s like she’s been erased. I can’t see my feet, I can’t even sit up in a bathtub without pretty monumental effort as my core has separated, my intestines, lungs and bladder have a fraction of my internal space making a lot of things awkward… even a sneeze is now scary for the separating pelvic floor. My work and world have almost totally stopped, no motorcycles, trips, riding.
I’m just at home facing a reflection in the mirror that I don’t recognise.
I’ve even had moments doubting this is even what I want. Yet, while I can pinpoint areas upsetting me there is also a strange feeling of knowing that I am actually OKAY and it’s just the confusion of change, the monumental impact of hormones and the uncertainty of the future.
I am okay but yet somehow, I am not. But what I do know is that deep down I 110% WANT THIS. I am READY TO BE A MUM and while terrifying, this storm, like all storms, will pass.
Pregnancy glow? (32 weeks)
I wouldn’t go as far as saying that, but I am relieved to let you know that I am doing heaps better than my last update. The baby resentment is dramatically better, my mind is able to see the positives of life again and I’m actively looking after myself, AND even possibly as far as… able to say I am excited to meet the new little human that’s been frantically trying to crack my rib cage or make me pee with a kick of it’s heel [seriously how is a 32 week old baby in a belly so strong?!]. The dark late trimester 3 phase has passed and I have to thank my parents, husband, friends and all of you for helping me through.
I’ve been overwhelmed by how many other women out there have also faced some hefty mental health and physical battles during pregnancy. So often we feel alone but the reality is that we are not, it’s just that the world hides the truth. These miss representations can be so harmful for our expectations.
The last few weeks I’ve been focusing really hard on self-love, being kind to myself as I grow a new human and hugely on increasing my readiness for motherhood. This has been in nursery preparations, second hand baby ‘stuff’ shopping and the wonders of audiobooks.
I’m not yet ‘ready’ for motherhood but I’m on the journey and there are smiles and excitement again!
This is not the time to give up
When life brings us tough times it’s import not to lock ourselves away and give up. So despite my struggles with pregnancy I’ve been determined to keep doing my free schools programme and have spoken to 1,600 more wonderful students taking my total to over 24,000. Find out more about my school programme here
With the addition of social media, I can’t imagine what growing up today must be like so if my story as a female breaking boundaries, battling back from a life changing accident, coping with turbulent mental health issues, living with chronic pain and giving tools that have helped me…empowers the future minds…Then I’m committed!!
Life isn’t about being perfect, always winning and getting everything smooth. Setbacks and struggles are normal, what’s important is how we pick ourselves up, learn from them and fight on for a better version of ourselves.
I’m unfortunately not going to be able to keep offering myself for free through the whole pregnancy due to most of my work having to stop but I’m determined to do what I can. If you’d like to donate to support my programme please contact me
Time for chocolate (37 weeks)
With just 24 days to go it’s time to open the first chocolate! Confused?
With our estimated due date being December 19th we’ve decided to shift the dates of our advent calendar to a fun bay due date count down. I’m still not feeling ‘ready’ as such for becoming a mother, but I’m feeling prepared.
Pregnancy for me, like for many, hasn’t been smooth sailing. Lots of complications, feeling like my body has been taken over by an alien (which in some ways it has), add the painful complications of my hip pain, and the sheer size a baby bump and additional 12kg of weight it brings. I certainly haven’t loved every moment.
Thankfully the last few weeks, supported by me slowing down a little but I actually possibly found that pregnancy glow people rave about.
Sadly it was somewhat short lived, and as the due day approaches the ‘beached whale’ like discomfort, ‘practice’ contractions called Braxton Hix, hip pain sleeplessness, and huge restlessness that comes with not being comfortable is really taking over.
The good news is we know when the baby will be born…on its birthday
Staying active (37 weeks)
Staying active throughout pregnancy is proven to help both mother and child. I wasn’t sure if I’d make it up Sugar Loaf again so close to our due date but I knew I wanted to try… And we made it!!! Such a good feeling!!
Feeling lazy in pregnancy (38 weeks)
I’m so lazy! I’ve not done a proper work out in a month, I’m eating more than ever, I’m exhausted when I do just a fraction of my previous day…and my head is continually telling me I’m useless and lazy.
BUT… every day while I feel I am doing ‘nothing’ my body is going through dramatic changes as it throws colossal energy into growing a new human. Pregnancy is a wild rollercoaster and it was not until I saw these two graphics that I really truly comprehended the internal change women’s body goes through.
No wonder we need to pee continually, panic about a potential pee when we sneeze, have bonkers bowel movement, barely any lung capacity and find a kid size plate of food utterly filling. The human body is incredible.
Hypnobirthing – feeling empowered (39 weeks)
How big is its head? And it has to fit out of my?! YIKES!! yet… Mind blowing fact – if you were knocked unconscious, your body could still birth a baby!
Child birth is terrifying but…discovering hypnobirthing, which is effectively the science behind labour and natural birthing, has been a game changer for my readiness! My emotional state as the clock ticks… the impending due date ever getting closer…is like winding up a rubber band. My whole life I’ve had nightmares of labour, heard horror stories and watched absolutely completely miss-represented birth scenes depicted by Hollywood – which all set women up for miss expectations, the wrong mindset and, sadly the result is a statistically far higher need for medical intervention.
Labour is natural. Our bodies have evolved to do this exact process, the body knows what do to if you just relax, find the right head space for maximum oxytocin and let nature take over. Yet society and modern medicine have turned birthing into a medical procedure
How my labour goes, especially with the complications of my hip… only time will tell… but I can tell you that with hypnobirthing my aim is to be relaxed, listening to my body and letting it take control. Yes things can go wrong but the natural science behind it brings so much empowerment to the process.
Plan A is a home water birth with my family
If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding and racing, I’m on a mission to prove that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough. See more about my story plus read about my life changing accident, which started it all.
You can find me Vanessa, The Girl On A Bike over on Threads, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok and YouTube, and www.thegirlonabike.com.
