Exercise in pregnancy

[MissHoney85]

I'm four months pregnant for the first time, a much wanted child conceived after two years of TTC and an unsuccessful round of IVF.

My DH is very physically active. He loves cycling, climbing, hiking, adventure sports etc. I've joined in with some of these hobbies, and all of our holidays revolve around them. I started running a few years ago and got addicted to it quickly. I've run several marathons and at my fittest could easily run 50 miles a week.

I realised that too much running was interfering with my cycles when TTC and eased off to about 10 miles a week. After becoming pregnant I stopped running altogether. I know that was probably unnecessary, I didn't have sickness and wasn't especially tired. I guess I was just being cautious. My resting heart rate also went up by about 10 BPM as soon as I became pregnant, and I started to get a bit out of breath going up stairs or small hills. I have made sure though to go for a walk every day, and since the 12 week scan have tried to regain some fitness by walking 10-14k steps a day.

We are now on holiday and have had to stop a lot of the activities we usually do, like long climbs and mountainous hikes. I get really out of breath walking up inclines and have to go super slowly. DH has been generally willing to adapt, though a bit disappointed, but has made a few comments about how I've got so unfit.

Today it ended up in a bit of an argument, where it became clear that DH thinks I've become 'sedentary' and have overreacted in the amount I've cut down. He's been reading articles about climbers who carry on climbing while pregnant and thinks that fitness is only impacted in the third trimester. He doesn't see how something so small can make me less fit, and the decline in my ability to walk uphill is all because I've stopped running.

I think basically he's worried that this change is going to be forever. I 100% intend to take up running again asap after birth and am looking forward to my child seeing me run a marathon.

Have I been excessive in the amount I've cut down? And / or how can I make DH understand better?

Being negative, I could say he seems a bit controlling...

Being optimistic, I never wanted kids as bad as you so I am being careful what I say. Things like monitoring changes in your heart rate or being so cautious sounds rather micro-managing to me but maybe only fellow IVFers can comment. I was climbing mountains in Italy at 16-17 weeks pregnant. Your precautions aren't what many women feel they need to do in pregnancy, but that doesn't make them wrong. You're on your own path.

Having kids is a big change and no one can guarantee you'll go back to your old activity habits (probably not for many years, kids are time demanding...) but It sounds like you want to reassure him that whatever changes come, you will both find a way to be happy together thru them. That your common values and interests are still there and ready to take on new challenges, too.

Everyone is different, and that includes during pregnancy. The third trimester breathing can get harder because all of your organs are squished, but even before that the amount of blood you are pumping around has increased substantially, you are also expending more energy. If you aren't comfortable climbing, then it's only for a short while, I don't see why he thinks it's such an issue; yes some women can and do carry on with the activities they were doing before, others don't feel like they can or don't wish to, both are fine. If you are walking plenty that's great, but if you do find yourself breathless often it might be worth getting tested for anemia, I had it during pregnancy and iron tablets helped a lot.

OP, you need to educate your husband on the effects of pregnancy. You get out of breath and tired not because you are unfit, but because of the inevitable changes pregnancy has on your body, including quicker increasing heart rate. It will all go back to normal soon after you have a baby as you are generally fit. During the entire pregnancy it is recommended to stay active, but when you feel out of breath you should stop. As they always say you should be able to hold a conversation during exercise.

Full disclosure: I’ve never been pregnant. But many of my friends say they felt the most tired, physically weak and generally awful during early pregnancy, and picked up again in the middle before slowing down again right at the end. Do what you think is right. I have a pregnant friend currently who is still running 10k at 8 minute miles at 14 weeks, but my uni housemate could barely walk up stairs in her first trimester despite being an avid runner. Everyone is different I guess!

Only you can know what level of exercise you're comfortable with, it's important to listen to what your body is telling you. I also remained active during pregnancy; spinning, running and swimming. However I stopped spinning at about 28 weeks because it made me so out of breath and ditto running at about 32 weeks. I kept swimming right up until my due date because it still felt comfortable. Pregnancy is not the time to push your limits, if you're getting out of breath it's your body's way of saying slow down! Your body is working really hard to grow a baby, you're allowed to take it easy. And your DH needs to realise you're in charge of saying when you've had enough, he's not the one growing a whole new human life inside him!

Only you know how you feel! I felt very active in pregnancy, not so much in the 1st 12 weeks due to nausea but I was able to still attend my regular classes. However my friend (who was used to running half marathons) looked exhausted and had horrendous sickness. Pregnancy affects people on different ways! All the hormones, the increased heart rate (that's how I knew I was pregnant)!
The way your husband is going on it's as though your not doing anything 'because your pregnant' I have met people like this who like eat lots of crap and sit about a lot using that as an excuse.
However how your describing it, your keeping yourself active and walking a lot. Just a slightly slower pace.
Tell him to pump off!!

Show your DH a video on YouTube of what happens to a women’s body in pregnancy and reiterate that your body is literally growing another human being...sorry but I feel like he is painfully ignorant and quite selfish.
Women’s bodies are amazing, he clearly has no idea🤦‍♀️

The problem here is not your reduced excerise it’s his lack of understanding and unappreciation. Listen to your body and do exactly what you want to do!

Also it’s only logical to cut down if the running was affecting your cycles! I think you’ve been completely right and wise! The priority right now is not walking uphill ect it’s growing your baby! Give yourself a break xxx

I was super breathless in the first 12 weeks or so. In fact my trainer was the first person to know after DH I was pregnant as just 2-3 weeks in I was huffing & puffing through a session. Basically your body had to MASSIVELY increase your blood supply and grow a whole new organ in the first couple of months - it’s a huge task and its common to be breathless. It should settle down now. In my experience though is that it’s good to keep your fitness up through pregnancy - pregnancy and birth are big physical events and it helps to be fit! And there is really no need to stop doing anything that you can comfortably do.

Thanks all, it's reassuring to hear all of your perspectives. It's so hard to know what's right. Everything seems to come down to "everyone's different, listen to your body" - but it's hard to know what to listen out for! I know every pregnancy is precious too, but I think there is an added pressure when you know you can't just sneeze and get pregnant like some people seem to!

@Buzztothemoon and others who kept exercising. I am definitely keen to be as fit as I can during pregnancy to prepare my body and reduce the time I need to regain fitness after birth. I'm cautious about pushing myself as I dont know how I will know I've reached my limit. As a long distance runner I'm pretty used to punishing my body! I don't mind doing that when it's just me, but I'm scared of damaging my baby or scaring my body into rejecting it. What signs did you look out for to tell you that you were at your limit?

My friends very fit and just had her first. She kept running until it was uncomfortable but used heart rate monitor and didnt go over a certain amount. She found spin classes a useful switch as she didnt think it put as much pressure on her body as pregnant running.

Perhaps seek personal trainer who has experience with very fit pregnant ladies?

I kept running whilst pregnant - did a half marathon and did a fair few hikes. My fitness and heart rate wasn’t impacted at all until the second half of the last trimester. It sounds like you’re being over cautious, but understandably so with the struggle to conceive.

I got out of breath from talking too much around 4-5 months. It was awful and I was convinced I was dying. By the time I was 7 months it had passed and I did parkrun (at a brisk walk) on New Year’s Day!

OP I totally believe keeping fit helping with labour and post pregnancy especially yoga and walking.
I was told by the consultant to continue with what I normally do as long as it's comfortable and not too out of breath. I stopped using the skipping rope when i was around 20 weeks as it was uncomfortable. I also wore a Fitbit to monitor my heart rate.
I know what you mean about worrying when you can't get pregnant quickly ttc for 2.5 years and a failed IVF also.

I have had 3 kids and have done an endurance sport to a high level. You’ll be wheezing like a 50 a day smoker as you have less room in your body for your lungs. The baby nicks all of your oxygen too. It’s not lack of fitness. None of the faster runners in our running club bothered with running during pregnancy. You just need the loo the whole time, look hot and flustered. Use the break to let your body rest up and you’ll be flying, niggle free in no time afterwards. Your husband won’t be able to keep up.

If you want to run the golden rules are keep your pulse below 150 and do not overheat.

I'm normally active, but pregnancy took its toll on me, especially first time when in the first half I was exhausted and nauseaus and losing weight despite gaining bump because it was that hard to eat. Second half I had SPD and ended up near housebound. By the final week, I could not even get myself off the sofa without help.

DH and I rarely argue, but we did have a row when I was 17 weeks as in his head the first trimester was long gone and I should have been glowing... I put him straight on that one after 4 months of feeling too shit to eat!

Every pregnancy is unique, and you just have to work with what you are dealt.

The fitness can come back when you are recovered and ready.

If you are worried about overdoing it and can afford it then trainers with training/ experience in pregnancy and post natal are definitely worth it. Not least of all because fitness is only part of the battle - specific advice on maintaining pelvic floor/ core strength while pregnant and then repairing/ rebuilding strength after is really helpful and a good experienced trainer will know exactly what to do and will be able to check for things like diastasis recti post partum or help you work around ligament pain/ avoid damage (when the waves of relaxin kick in). Also later in pregnancy especially there are some things to avoid in terms of specific exercises/ stretches. If that’s not possible there are some good websites and online forums - GP/midwives are good to advise too, although there are some that still have a slightly old fashioned view!

But the main message is about what’s comfortable especially re: cardio. If you can do it comfortably then it’s basically fine. Pregnancy is definitely not the time to push yourself or try for a PB! But if you did it before then you can carry on so long as it doesn’t cause discomfort (ie always stop immediate if you can’t catch your breath, feel dizzy or faint, any pain, nauseated, fatigue). Also just accept you will be working at a lower intensity and that will gradually taper off too towards the end. Like others have said by the end i was still walking, cycling & doing tailored training sessions but phased out weight training around 24 weeks & running around 28 weeks. Lastly don’t push it the other side too - your body needs time to heal and regain core strength first. Build up and take the time you need to do that right or it will knock you back getting back into training. Think about it as 9 months ‘up’ and 9 months ‘down’.

I don't think there's any good justification for a pulse rule. Agree about don't overheat. Also keep hydrated and don't strain anything.

I’m on my second pregnancy and for both of them, from a few weeks after my bfp I’m out of breath doing the smallest thing. I often have to sit down if I walk up the stairs. It seems to be simply the way my body deals with pregnancy as I was not unfit before or after the pregnancy (although not exactly fit either). Your DH needs to understand everyone reacts to pregnancy differently and it’s hard work on the body. And he needs to be a lot more supportive than he is being... if he’s moaning about a reduction in your physical ability now (the only change he’s experiencing), what’s he going to be like when baby arrives and he can’t just continue as he always has done without thinking of a tiny one and the limits they have. Honestly, if your body wants you to rest, do it. You will regain fitness after the birth and even more so when you feel up to increasing your exercise again. I’d be having some clear words with DH about his attitude. I also had infertility, so I get the additional worries you have xxx

You're growing another human ffs. His baby.

Tell him to fuck off, go at your pace.

And don’t worry too much about fitness in labour. My last pregnancy, I did zero exercise and limited walking (partly due to being out of breath and partly due to bleeding when I walked too much), yet I coped just fine with 25+ hours of labour, including 3 hours of pushing (it wasn’t exactly fun, but I did not feel a lack of fitness causing any problems). So exercise is not the be all and end all. Xxx

Before I was pregnant I was a very regular gym goer. Done weight training and lots of high impact classes like body attack, metafit and a bootcamp. I altered a lot of my training, dropped the high impact classes like body attack about 20 weeks as I felt I had to pee every 5 mins but kept up boot camp until I was about 30 weeks pregnant (it was run by a fully qualified personal trainer who would adapt all the moves etc) I kept up the gym till I was 38 weeks, but by then I was doing very small moves and lifting light weights as I generally found everything a lot harder and was tired. I think at that stage I was exercising more for my mental health rather than physical health if that makes sense.
Only you know what's right for your body during pregnancy, if it's too much to run, or climb then that's for you to decide so your fully justified in telling your husband to fuck off

Are your iron levels ok? I struggled around 4/5 months last time, was super breathless just climbing my stairs and it turned out I was anaemic.