Exercising when pregnant - kettlebells and running?

[evertonmint]

I've just today found out that I am pregnant with DC3, due in June. With 1 and 2, I wasn't that into exercise and just gave up everything except walking while pregnant. But now I'm much stronger and fitter. I have been doing kettlebells classes for 3 years and I run a few times a week. I want to keep my exercise going as long as possible in this pregnancy, but obviously don't want to take any needless risks.

Have any of you done kettlebells during pregnancy? Is it doable or not?

And for how long did you carry on running?

Finally any top tips? I'm assuming I shouldn't be pushing myself as much as normal, whatever I end up doing. But anything else I should watch for generally?

Thanks!

This comes from the Kettlercise websites FAQ.
Q:Can I do Kettlercise if I'm pregnant.
No, absolutely not. If you are following the programme and you are pregnant we advise you to STOP immediately. Due to the nature and intensity of the programme we strongly advise you to not take part in Kettlercise either following along at home to your DVD or taking part in Kettlercise classes with an Instructor. This even applies ‘post’ birth for a short period but particularly if you have had a ‘C’ section, and as with any exercise programme ALWAYS seek the advice of your GP before partaking particularly post pregnancy.

I can't see any reason to stop running though just listen to your body and if something hurts in a bad way then stop doing it.

i ran until the beginning of third trimester with my second. I ran until the beginning of second trimester with my first.

Its a listen to your body thing I reckon. I put on 3 stone with my first so wanted to continue as long as possible with the second without feeling I was putting my baby at risk. If its part of your life before getting pregnant, its hard to stop completely. Plus most of the blogs I have read say if you were doing it before pregnant its fine.....even beneficial.
Happy Mum=........

Thanks!

I found a bit more info on kettlebells. It seems I can do some exercises but by no means all and need to adjust the way I do them, which is probably why the Kettlercise programme says to stop as their programme would need too much adaptation. I think I'll stop classes but ask my teacher (who is also a personal trainer) to put together a pregnancy-friendly set that I can do at home.

I'll definitely carry on running as long as I'm comfortable. Did you road run or cross country? I'm a cross country fanatic so a bit nervous about tripping (although I've never actually done that before so don't know why I'm suddenly worrying now!) Do you reckon road running would be more sensible, or should I not worry until I actually get a bump?

i road run (or more likely a favorite path by the river). Tripping up is the issue i reckon and something about ligaments being looser. You're more likely to trip up as a balance issue to the baby weight....different centre of gravity etc.
Depends what your paths are like.... branches and potholes arent gonna make it easy!
I'd say adjust it as you get bigger

If you run regularly, there's no reason to stop until you no longer feel comfortable doing it. I ran up to about 28 weeks and then replaced it with power walks. Post birth, I started running around the 3 weeks mark with all the children.

Incidentally, I always found my first post natal run AWESOME! It felt so good to be free for half an hour.

I have a trainer who has pretty much every qual under the sun (including expertise in pre-natal exercise). I am 6+5 and we are doing all of the kettle bell and weight exercised we have ever done and will do up to 14 weeks. She says that it will be great to have strong back etc for later in pg and will help with getting back into shape afterwards (I am 41 by the way).
However, it is one on one tuition so I guess she is keeping a close eye on me and there may be some exercises that are not appropriate.

I think the general rule when pg is carry on as before (obv using common sense) but not to take on anything new. Just try and not get too overheated as in the first trimester the baby can't regulate temperature and make sure you tell your kettle bell instructor you are pregnant so she/he can let you know what is ok and not ok to do.

Don't give everything up though, keep as active as you can, it will def help long term.

Oh and congratulations :)

Bohemond - that's helpful, thank you. I can imagine that normal swings will be fine but that some twisting or above head stuff, or some of the fast and furious sets we did may not be. I'll definitely get my teacher to put together a programme for me. I love kettlebells and don't want to give up if I don't have to. I'm 37 so in the "geriatric yet fit enough to lift kettlebells" mother camp too ;)

Good point about overheating, Betty. I shall take it all easy but keep doing it as long as possible. I do the school run up and down a hill, so even when I stop official exercise will be getting plenty of active time in. I was fitter going into my 2nd pregnancy than my 1st, even though I didn't due much during it, which I like to think contributed to the much better labour and recovery. Going for even fitter and hence even easier (well, it's all relative right!) third time round :)