Snowdonia in early pregnancy

[MrsTrump]

Hi there - I'm nearly 7 weeks pregnant and am meant to go to Snowdonia a week tomorrow for some hillwalking..I'm not sure if its sucha good idea if I'm pregnant though? Is it advisable? I'm a bit out of practice with hillwalking, haven't been for a while, I wasn't planning on doing much. I'm farily fit and healthy.. Any advice on whether I should give it a miss or not?
I was always someone who thought that I should just carry on as normal for as long as possible..but after ttc for nearly 3 years, being of a more 'mature' age.. I'm erring on the side of caution now!
Help :D

[queenofeverywhere]

If you're not used to exerting yourself through exercise it's not a good idea to start now. I played netball and did fitness classes before falling pregnant and continued once I had conceived until I wasn't comfortable with it but wouldn't have started anything new. Probably best to ask your GP or midwife before doing anything!

[BlueChampagne]

If you're not planning to do much, I think you'll be fine. I don't think you should deny yourself the trip. Don't push yourself; relax and enjoy. Put yourself in charge of cream tea research!

[MinesAPintOfTea]

I would skip the hillwalking personally. Go for a lake/coast stroll or take the train up Snowdon instead. But then I was vomiting and light-headed by that stage!

[MrsTrump]

Thanks for your replies much appreciated.
Queenofeverywhere - I excercise everyday in the form of walking my dog - half an hour in the morning and 1-1-5hours in the evening (5 out of 7 days) but I guess that's not the same.
Symptom wise at the moment I'm ok, little bit of nausea, a bit tired but nothing to hectic..
If I go I will definitely do a bit of hillwalking as its part of a club and nobody apart from my DH knows I'm pregnant..bugger the trip has been planned for a year..
I'll speak to him indoors tonight and see what he says.
Thanks again

[weebairn]

I don't think there's any problem with regards to the baby, so don't worry about that. You may find you're more tired and breathless though. I'm a fairly hardcore hiker and I was knocked down to 5 miles hikes in 1st trimester last pregnancy… (2nd trimester was ok again)

Will there be an option to shorten the hike if you're finding it too tough?

[Lizzylou]

I have walked up Snowdon, the trail I went up was fine at first but I found it a bit slippy and precarious towards the top, it was a glorious sunny day but foggy at the top.
When I was pg I would have been a bit worried about falling, but there may be steadier trails?
I found my balance was a bit off during pregnancy.

[MinesAPintOfTea]

I'd be even more reluctant to go on a group hike when hiding pregnancy. There is a lot more pressure to keep up, move quickly etc. You can always fake a bad ankle or something if you want an excuse.

[MrsTrump]

Thanks everyone, really appreciated your replies.
Weebairn - your right actually I feel a little breathless sometimes on my morning walks and had totally forgot that..MrTrump said he'd be happy to do a shorter walk with me but not sure that's very fair on him.
Minesa - your right also about the group walk, more pressure etc.
Think I'll talk to MrTrump tonight, he'll be a bit disappointed I probably won't be going but he'll be fine
Thanks again all, you've really helped

[TheWomanWithTheMysteriousLump]

I'd go but be completely upfront about my pg. Assuming your hiking mates have no overlap with work colleagues or family members you don't want to know, what's the downside of telling them?

[Plateofcrumbs]

As others have said already there's really no evidence that exercise poses any risk to the pregnancy, it's more a case of how you're feeling. Seven weeks is about the time that tiredness and nausea can start to mount so physically you may not feel like anything too challenging.

If it were me I would go providing you don't feel like you'll be under pressure to do more than you feel comfortable with. If you don't want the group to know you're pregnant you might be able to lay the foundations of an excuse by saying you're getting over a virus/feeling a bit run down then you have a reason for not leading the climb over Crib Goch!

Personally I would go and enjoy the hills - you'll have fewer opportunities once the baby arrives!

[weebairn]

Oh, and I also want to mention that I find fresh air is THE BEST thing for morning sickness. I would definitely try and go in some way if you can.

[MrsTrump]

Thanks all, unfortunately being upfront isn't an option as the people going are friends. Think I'll play it by ear and see how my sickness is, my dh says he's worried about me slipping but I'm not do much, it's more the tiredness...anyhoo will see how it goes.
Everyones been so helpful thank you so much.
ps you're right will be my last chance for a long while to get out on the hills.

[Jellybean1234]

Hey! If it makes you feel any better I did Ben Nevis at 19 weeks pg, and I'm a serial exercise avoider apart from the daily dog walk! We probably do long walks most weekends 1.5-2hrs) but nothing demanding. I just took the descent REALLY gently and made sure I didn't get too out of breath on the way up, so pretty slowly up too. All in all, the usual 5/6hr walk ended up taking us 9hrs...oops! I was shattered by the end, but didn't feel bad or uncomfortable or over stretch myself.

[BabyOz]

I did some walking around Snowdonia in early pregnancy and absolutely loved it but then I was with people who knew I was pregnant which made it easier (I got breathless in first trimester a lot). The hills are fabulous though and I imagine solo hill walking is much easier than with a bub so enjoy it if you do go :)

[hannahlucyellen]

I walked up Ben Rinnes (local mountain) when 13 weeks pregnant and was generally feeling nauseous and tired at the time. I just took it very steady and didn't let myself get too out of breath. I also made sure I ate every time I felt even somewhat hungry! I LOVED getting to the stop, a real sense of achievement, especially as there was plenty of now :)

It's good for you to exercise, helps your VO2 max and that of the baby's, so go for it :)

[hannahlucyellen]

TOP SNOW

[anothernumberone]

I did a 10k at 8 weeks I barely ran since but I was running all the time before I would go but make sure to take extra care and bring extra provisions.

[capercaillie]

You'll probably feel more tired so don't aim to do an extra long walk.
Maybe do one walk, see how you feel and opt for an easier day afterwards.
I'd choose a sensible route - not aim for a route in full winter conditions (ie requiring axe and crampons) mainly as walking in snow can be much more tiring. Gentle ascent rather than steep. Not scrambling.

I hillwalked in both pregnancies and was mostly fine, if more tired.

[sinningsaint]

As someone who skied at 22wks I'd say if you feel ok in the morning then go for it! As others have said there is no proof to say it will bring harm to the baby, just might make you a bit worse for wear! Whatever you do try and enjoy your weekend.

[MrsTrump]

Hi everyone
Thanks a million for all the replies, they've definitely helped me in deciding. I've decided to give it a miss, mainly because the group don't know I'm pregnant and I don't think I'd get away with taking it easy without raising suspicion. Also we're travelling from Scotland so its not really worth travelling all the way down to decide on the morning that I'm not up to it.. Its a shame but I am going away with DH in April so maybe we can do some hillwalking then and I can take it as easy as I need.
I'll still get my excercise in, in the form of all the dog walks over the weekend
Thanks again everyone

[JimmyPerez]

Oh for goodness sake! Doing what you describe is no more risky than walking around Newcastle! Give me strength!

[MinesAPintOfTea]

Jimmy the only problem is that if the OP is refusing to even let the group have a hint of pregnancy she is going to be desperately trying to act as normal: carrying a heavy backpack and walking briskly/scrambling with everyone else. That's not a stroll around Newcastle.

I would hike with DH in the first trimester vomiting permitting but not a group hike with keen walkers who expect me to keep up unless I give an excuse.

[MrsTrump]

Helpful Jimmy thanks
I can't let the group know I'm pregnant as three of them are friends of ours, and we want DH's kids to be the first to know and then our family..
Anyway I've decided not to go as per earlier post. I won't be wrapping myself in cotton wool Jimmy don't worry
Thanks all

[JimmyPerez]

You're seven weeks pregnant, if you think putting on sturdy shoes is dangerous, you're in for a miserable 18 years.

She's 7 weeks folks and snowdon is not the eiger ffs. My 67 year old father climbed it last year.

Why on earth would you need to tell them? Do you usually just drink all weekend?

[MrsTrump]

Thanks Jimmy, here have a
and a
and chill out