to be panicking that I shouldn't have pushed it at the gym now I'm pg?

[emeraldgirl1]

I am a regular gym-goer and would ideally like to stay exercising if poss while pregnant (this is my first pregnancy). I knew I was supposed to tone it down a bit though so since I have found out I have been more moderate than usual.

But I have just read that you should keep your heart rate at below 140 or 150 when exercising while pg! This is helpful for the future as I will take note but I am panicking that I have not done that so far!! Could I have done any damage?
FWIW I don't think my heart rate would have been anything like that high for an entire workout, maybe for just a 15 min portion...

Stupid me

:(

In the nicest way - don't be a dafty. You will be fine - as a regular gym goer your body is used to the exercise. Just slow it down a little now.

Nooby - dafty is my middle name :)

Thanks for the reassurance!!

You'll be fine....the rule with pregnancy is keep doing what you were doing before, just dont start a new regime.

During the first trimester your baby cant regulate his temperature so just try not to get too hot.....it will all be fine.

I used to teach aerobics and I taught right up to 36 weeks - you'll be fine :)

Do keep up with the exercise - it is great for you and will aid your recovery after pregnancy. In fact if you pm me your address I will send you my Erin OBrien Denton pregnancy workout DVD I did in all 3 pregnancies. I don't need it anymore!

BettySwollocks - that is helpful thank you as I do tend to overheat very easily - I'm always the idiot you see at the gym with the bright purple beetroot face dripping sweat everywhere.

Nooby you're a star, thank you!!!

It is highly unlikely you have done the baby any harm, but I would advise you slow down in your 3rd trimester. I exercised a lot in pregnancy and the workouts made what my midwife called an "irritable womb" (that is probably not the correct medical term). She said unless I toned it down a lot I could go into premature labour as the exercise kept giving me lots of Braxton-Hicks.

There is plenty of time to get your figure back after the birth and if you choose to breastfeed this will help you lose the baby weight.

turbo - I certainly don't need an irritable womb, according to DH I am quite irritable enough already

You pushed it in at the gym at now you're pregnant?

YANBU, hope he was fit :)

Sole source :) :)

I know someone who taught - yes, taught - a spin class after her waters broke. Her DD seems fine ...

BigRedIndia - OK, now that's really pushing it...

I remember watching a programme that investigated where the "max heart rate when pregnant" came from. The doctor responsible said he'd plucked it from thin air as he was asked to give a limit quickly. He figured if we kept our heart rates below that we would definitely be ok.

If you're used to exercise then really don't worry. Just do as much as your body is happy to do and try not to push yourself too hard.

Happy SEven wow - you have to love doctors! one of my best friends is a doctor and she swears she gets half her info from wikipedia. (She's joking... I think...) :)

I carried on horse riding until just over 7 months. Nothing silly, just enough to keep me ticking over.

I'm so glad I did, I think it's helped me with my pregnancy. Just don't go overboard!

Yes, the Max HR when pregnant number was chosen purely out of guesswork (just think how bonkers a single number is when one woman might have a max HR of 200 and another 160, saying 150 is completely different for those two women.)

this book is pretty interesting.

I'm not a woman, but very supportive of DP who exercised continously throughout her pregnancy, she found intensity was heavily regulated by her own body and it simply didn't let her get to as high an intensity as when not pregnant.

There's lots of evidence that maintaining your fitness through pregnancy is better for you and the baby.

Thanks FredGeorge - one to add to the amazon wish list along with What to Expect etc...

I just really want to carry on exercising as much as my body will let me; I feel rubbish when I don't and it has a huge psychological impact on me. OTOH I'm a pathetic worrier and would never want to do anything that could backfire, so it's about finding a balance. I'm rubbish at balance :) :)

Don't worry about it..... measuring heart rate unnecessary but best when pg to stick to the talking test - ie don't work out at a level that you couldn't speak at. I exercised through each pregnancy, ran on treadmill until 7 months, swam until I gave birth etc. (I was fit before though).

Heartrate often about 160 otherwise I wouldn't have been able to do anything and swimming is good as even if you get your heartrate up you don't overheat in the pool!