To play sport when pregnant - just been banned from yoga!

[squirrelish]

I am only 4 and a half weeks pregnant. This is my first, so I am new to all this. I find exercise really important for reducing stress. Everything I have read says that you can carry on with your usual exercise at first.

I have already been asked not to come back to my gymnastics class (ok, maybe I was expecting that one) and my yoga(!) studio. Other sports I have enjoyed in the past are horse riding, watersports and martial arts. I don't think I'd be allowed to go back to these either.

I know swimming is going to be suggested, but A) swimming laps is boring B) I have a serious skin condition which gets worse when I swim.

So, am I being unreasonable to want to do something more engaging than walking and running for the next 8 months? As I said, I am new to all this, so maybe I am.

I wouldn't do any seriously risky sport like a contact sport. I wouldn't take up a new strenuous sport but remaining active (whilst under the care of midwives etc) is recommended.

Pregnancy yoga is good if you can find a class you like. I think it's that connective tissue becomes looser when you're pregnant?

I did spin and other HIIT classes when pregnant with no bother, I just had to let the instructor know. Or you could try Body Combat - like MMA but without the actual contact?
Congrats BTW!

Probably not the point but why does the yoga teacher know you're pregnant at 4 weeks?

I think it is very unreasonable to ask you not to come back. You know your body, you know how to take it easy and not strain yourself. Exercise isn't harmful to a normal pregnancy anyway.

I've heard of pregnancy yoga (possibly post 12 weeks) so maybe look that out.
Otherwise (if not swimming) some running/ walking would be great for clearing the head when pregnant (to me). You can cycle up until your balance starts to feel off.

You can definitely do yoga, but need an instructor who knows what they are doing. They are certain positions which aren't safe.

I was rubbish, as I was completely wiped out with tiredness, but friends still played tennis, went to the gym etc. They stopped horse riding.

I wouldn't start something new like combat. But an instructor at my gym recently had a child. She was working out until the end!

There is pregnancy yoga (and Pilates etc) as exercise is good during pregnancy.
I would probably avoid contact sport but that's it.
I could be lying through my bum but I think horse riding should be avoided (could just be first trimester or not avoided at all though)

Oh yes, I did cycle a lot, and thrashed my DH at table tennis when I was 5 months pregnant.

Yes speak to local leisure centres and midwife about local antenatal classes. We have antenatal pilates, yoga and aqua fit. I've kept up with circuit type classes and meta fit though. The instructors sometimes look a bit scared, I'm now 29 weeks, but most high impact stuff can be adapted and you're right for the first trimester most exercise Is fine, just be wary of things where you could fall or contact sports.

I would say everything on your list except yoga could be classed as contact. I didn't surf when pregnant more because I was worried about other people bashing into me-would imagine similar issue with other Watersports? Horse riding is an obvious risk although a lot of people do it when they work with horses. Gymnastics or martial arts should be adaptable to be non-contact and low risk. Being banned from yoga is ridiculous! I would imagine it may all stem from indemnity... can you chat to organisers and see if you can find a solution? Otherwise, it seems you spend a fair bit on all these clubs...if they won't have you could you work with a PT instead? Either at a gym or outdoor session? Then they can tailor to how you're feeling as pregnancy progresses and you won't get bored! If you don't already run it may not be a great time to start. Definitely don't give up things you love, you're likely to have a much easier pregnancy and delivery if you keep active.

I'm 15 weeks. This weekend just gone I competed at Belton Horse Trials and I completed the rest of the season hunting after finding out I was pregnant.

I promised my DH I would stop riding at 26 weeks, which is annoying as I have an impressive string of six hunters/eventers. The risk isn't worth it - I can pick them up again in September.

There is plenty of low risk exercise you can do.

I done yoga jogging and Zumba until my due date ended up with a long hard labour and emergency section I coped and recovered so well the physio said my fitness level was to thank for nit becoming exhusted even through dayd of labour and bouncing back. I would actually complain to the classes especially yoga there is no need to stop.

Yoga is only contraindicated in the first trimester and then after that it's only not recommended until the third trimester if you're new to it. So you should be fine with it after your 12 week scan.

I ran until 20 weeks and now swim. Played the odd tennis game until 16 weeks.

The obvious answer if you are happy to do so is not to tell people you are pregnant!! Risks are very low but the providers have to be cautious, you don't, so if you're happy to continue with normal activities just don't tell them you're pregnant!

I doubt you will be running at 8 months pregnant, believe me. unless to the hospital at 36 weeks like me

I have a skin problem too. Running, sports - swimming in chlorine makes it worse, - having a child never made a difference to it..

Find a specialist yoga course for pregnant women if you can.

Most exercise class, whatever type, don't want to take on pregnant women because basically they do not have the experience about it.

Enjoy it whatever you decide to do.

*16 weeks not 26! Three way I'm going I wouldn't be able to get on the buggers at 26weeks!

This really irritated me.
Your regular exercise classes won't let you participate once you're pregnant (if they know.... but I bloated out immediately unfortunately).
You can't start any pregnancy exercise classes until 12 weeks.

So I ended up not exercising for 2-3 months, whilst eating loads to combat nausea, and piling on weight

There are always pregnant ladies in my Zumba classes, and my yoga and Pilates classes and I stayed in my classes whilst I was pregnant. I think you should check with your yoga studio again, I was always told that as long as they know and you agree to not push yourself then it's fine. My yoga instructor would give me alternatives, as did my Pilates instructor, Zumba was fine at my own pace.

I think you need to check again.

I carried on running all the way through pregnancy (even went for a run on my due date - Gabriella support bands are great!) But I didn't do much in the first trimester. I went to a pregnancy yoga class and they didn't let me do much until I was past 12 weeks. My understanding was the advice was that you could maintain the same physical activity as pre pregnancy, but a lot of classes will be very wary with you pre 12 weeks.

I ran up until about 6 weeks before my DD was born and then walked 30 mins daily up until she was born. I've run since I was 15. I also ran a half marathon while 4 wks pregnant (I didn't actually know but it wouldn't have bothered me). I think the poster who said yoga might be no go cos of how stretchy you get may be right, but 4 weeks is waaay too early for that... but if you exercise now, carry on and then modify as you get bigger/more uncomfortable. I would have avoided contact sports and horse riding for obvious reasons. My feeling was that I needed to be fit for the most physically draining thing I would ever do - give birth - it makes no sense at all to me to stop exercising (unless you get SPD or other conditions, obvs)

I had pt sessions all the way through with number one. This time I'm doing Body pump, body balance and running as well as swimming (although I've had a really sicky week this week and not done anything)

If your instructor understands the needs of pregnant women then there is no need to stop.
I continued heavy weight training and general fitness together with karate for most of my pregnancy.... some things were adapted or removed from my routine and obviously no contact in karate...
You're pregnant, not ill.
I had no sport related issues with the pregnancy

My yoga studio has had pregnant students and teachers practice throughout. With adaptations.
Is yours bikram? I would think bikeam or other "hot" yoga would be a bad idea but most other styles can be adapted.

I also cycled to the very end and ran till it was uncomfortable.

I've a friend who is being induced on Wednesday, she hasn't given up her Jazzercise class at all!

I danced (Latin and Ballroom) until 7 months and only stopped because my hips are playing up (due in 10 days time).

Exercise through pregnancy is beneficial, just listen to your body and don't push more than you are comfortable with.

On the other hand, if you're not already fit, it's not the time to start an intense training programme.