heart rate during exercise question

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I'm 31 weeks and still doing cross trainer at gym a couple/three times a week. Nothing strenuous and I did have a conversation while doing it last week. But then I realised there was a point where HR went to 166 so dropped it. I'm fit and don't come off dizzy or sweating profusely - mild persperation on forehead only - but then I began to worry. Am I doing baby harm? My pregnancy so far has been good. I read such different reports about exercise - most of which says ignore heart rate and go with your body and what's right for it and your fitness levels pre pregnancy

Well, I'm not a doctor, but have also been exercising and reading round the subject. The old recommendation of having a maximum heart rate of 140 appears to be somewhat outdated as what is normal for one woman or one particular type of exercise varies (my heart rate gets much higher on the rowing machine than on the bike for the same perceived exertion). If you can still talk, are not completely pouring with sweat, and feel fine then there shouldn't be any reason to worry.

I found this book: www.amazon.co.uk/Exercising-Through-Pregnancy-James-Clapp/dp/1886039593/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1286205011&sr=8-1 informative as a summary of the author's scientific research; it's a bit of a dry read but explains what evidence has been used rather than the quite common "best play it safe" approach. I've also got the Runner's World book.

I'm still cycling and swimming at 35 weeks and the baby is doing fine.

Agree with corgi the 140bpm is outdated -it is now recommended to exercise on a scale of percieved effort with 10 being max. You want to be about 6/7 ie the 'speed of chat' - more important is not to get dehydrated or overheat.

I ran til 34 & 37 weeks with my pregnancies - babies were fine.