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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Exercise in pregnancy - what are you doing?

32 replies

louloubellamozzarella · 26/07/2013 17:24

I'm interested to know what you pregnant ladies out there are doing exercise-wise. I am 9 weeks and checked with my midwife who advised the standard line of nothing new or too intense - but fine to keep up what I was doing already if I take it steady.

When I found out I was pregnant I'd just got back into spinning and body pump classes .... It's my first pregnancy so didn't want to push it and haven't been going to these since as they are high intensity and work the ab region/core a lot.

I have done a couple of longish cycle rides (taking it steady), been for a slow run (before the weather got too hot) and have been trying to swim a couple of times a week.

Once I feel like eating normal food again and don't feel so knackered, I'll be signing up for preggo yoga and doing swimming 3+ times a week.

Just interested to see what other people in the same situation are doing really... and to get some more ideas of other stuff I could be doing. I feel so much better once I've been swimming so feel like I need to force myself to keep going!

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purpleaura · 26/07/2013 18:13

Hi OP. I'm 34 weeks and I've been swimming 3 times a week and absolutely loving it. I just feel brilliant afterwards- no aches or pains. It's magic!

I also cycle into work and back (not far- about 2 miles each way) though its starting to get a bit uncomfortable now, with my knees splayed to the sides and giving bump a nudge with every pedal! I must look a bit of a sight! A few friends and family have said I shouldn't be cycling but I just think its really important to stay active. I shall continue as long as I feel happy doing so.

Hope that helps x

CareerGirl01 · 26/07/2013 18:38

I did loads of exercise but took down the intensity. Spinning appeared to make my hips sore - there's a thread somewhere which I started. Was doing five times a week 20-25 bike/cross trainer - weights and then Pilates and yoga moves for a cool down Exercised right up to 39 weeks! And was back progging at 6 weeks - had an ELCS. You don't have to strain yourself though!

HazleNutt · 26/07/2013 18:46

I did pretty much everything I did pre-pregnancy, including Bodypump up til the very end. There are special pregnancy options that your instructor can show you. If you feel fine then it really is fine to keep doing most exercise you have been doing already .

islingtongirl · 26/07/2013 18:51

I've been keeping up my reformer Pilates classes twice a week (36 weeks now) as well as an antenatal fitness class and now I have started mat leave I'm going to some pregnancy yoga classes and walking etc. Ladies who kept up exercise, do you think it helped with birth/recovery? Really hoping there are positive benefits as starting to get a bit tired now but trying to keep going to the end as much as I can!

HazleNutt · 26/07/2013 19:16

Of course, it's difficult to say how much it helped and how much was just down to luck, but I didn't have any aches or pains during pregnancy, felt absolutely fine. Had a short labour, DS out in a couple of pushes and no recovery issues either. I do think at least some of it was thanks to the exercise and keeping active.

vallinnapod · 26/07/2013 19:54

I am cross training on a relatively low intensity 3 or 4 times a week plus some light arm weights and with lunges and squats.

I kept this up (with running up to about 20 weeks) with my first PG and had a very easy birth and recovery - in fact I looked better than Kate post-preg bump-wise

As Hazel said, no idea if it was this or luck but hope to have a similar experience this time.

Original poster

louloubellamozzarella · 26/07/2013 21:41

Thanks for sharing and good to hear that you're still managing to keep up a routine. Just my experience but most ladies I've known do nothing while preg - this is not an option for me, I'd go crazy with no exercise!

OP posts:

Ruralninja · 26/07/2013 21:44

I'm 23 weeks and I'm doing two training sessions a week with a trainer - strength training. feel brill

Original poster

louloubellamozzarella · 26/07/2013 23:47

Sounds good Ruralninja. Did you start your sessions while pregnant? I was considering some personal training so I'm motivated to do gym work again but not sure how I'll find it while pregnant.

OP posts:

Woodifer · 27/07/2013 06:11

Loulou - I been doing adapted bodypump at the way through (37 weeks now). In fact I started in first trimester. Kept weights low - really focus on good form. No crunching (anything lifting shoulders), no lunges or jumping for me (as pelvis issues previous pregnancy).

colleysmill · 27/07/2013 06:25

I'm in the early stages too and at the moment I feel so exhausted all the time I'm not doing anything all!

Normally I run 2-3 times a week. I really want to go (normally would be out now early) but just the thought of pulling on my trainers just makes me want to sleep.

Longtalljosie · 27/07/2013 06:35

I do Pilates and on my teacher's advice didn't exercise until 16 weeks then went back. She's trained in antenatal Pilates though so often I would be given an alternative exercise to do...

Goldenhandshake · 27/07/2013 08:07

Ive been walking about half a mile each morning as usual to drop DD to child minders, which I will continue to do up until I start maternity leave.
Ive just had a pregnancy pilates dvd delivered so will be doing this as well as swimming once a week.

Yonionekanobe · 27/07/2013 08:32

I did a lot of exercise prior to this pregnancy (DC2) but was so sick in my first trimester and a little beyond, I had to completely give up. I'm now swimming, light running/paper walking, and yoga and feel much better that I'm doing something.

In my first pregnancy I was so worried (post an EP) that I sat on my arse and ate cake for nine months

Yonionekanobe · 27/07/2013 08:33

Paper walking!? Power...

MrsPatMustard · 27/07/2013 08:39

I've been really struggling to do anything at all. From week 5 onwards have been really breathless doing anything more rigorous than walking up the stairs. Was told this would pass after 12 weeks but currently 13+4 weeks and no sign of it letting up yet. Last Saturday went for a walk in the country for an hour then came home and fell asleep for 2 hours....

Someone please tell me this will pass soon! Worried I am going to be a big fat blimp who is too feeble to push out the baby in labour...

lljkk · 27/07/2013 08:42

Not pg now, but when I was I pretty much continued with whatever I was doing prior to pregnancy. I once got praised for cycling 35 miles round trip to a 34 week ultrasound. Honestly, just listen to your body & keep cool (that's the challenge right now!!)

JBrd · 27/07/2013 08:48

I did Bodypump and Pilates during my last pregnancy without any problems, and am planning to for this one. Just battling with tiredness af the moment, I really struggle with the later classes. Had to give up Cx Worx, as that is understandably not recommended when pg. Planning to do pg yoga as soon as they let me, it's fab.
Unfortunately, I'm rubbish with doing exercise at home, bought a DVD last time and did it once

colleysmill · 27/07/2013 10:03

Further to my earlier post dsis text and dragged me out for a run. Only did 4k but I feel much better for it now! :)

Yonionekanobe · 27/07/2013 10:10

Well done colley! Amazing how getting out there helps - its just getting the trainers out that's the killer!

colleysmill · 27/07/2013 10:18

I can't put into words how ruddy marvellous I feel. And despite not doing much recently how the old fitness level was ok. More confident now to do more (although I might pass on the 10k run before breakfast that I sometimes do!)

HazleNutt · 27/07/2013 10:41

that's my experience exactly - if I just came home and sat on the sofa, I felt exhausted. But if I dragged myself to the gym, I had loads of energy afterwards.

Feelinghungry · 27/07/2013 11:00

Hi OP, I remember feeling anxious about continuing exercise in the early days of pregnancy but I read a lot on the subject which implied if you were exercising before then it is fine to continue. So I contined to exercise as much as I did before but at a lower intensity - running 5k - 10k a few times a week, circuit training etc. I felt great afterwards and think it is one of the reasons why I havent had any of the usual pregnancy symptoms (no swollen ankles, no back ache, have lots of energy still, sleeping well etc). But now at 27 weeks I am starting get groin ache post running; I think my belly is just getting too big and heavy so I am very sad to say I might have to hang up my running shoes or invest in a maternity support belt - does anyone know anything about these and if they work??

Bootyluscious · 27/07/2013 11:06

I'm 19 weeks now & for the last month I've been swimming 20 mins 5-6 times a week I feel great! I'm hoping to continue up to the birth

HazleNutt · 27/07/2013 11:12

feeling I tried a few but unfortunately they didn't make any difference. Could you find some other activity instead of running? I found running difficult as well when the belly was getting bigger and started to bounce too much, but could do aerobics classes til the end.

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