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Pregnancy

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

Fit, Feeling Fabulous and Pregnant [smile]

16 replies

LittlePeaPod · 19/08/2013 07:44

Hi ladies,

Hoping to get a response from those of you that are either doctors, nurses, MWs, fitness instructors, fitness experts or fit pregnant mums/mum to bes.

I have always kept extremely fit. However for the last 15 weeks (currently 20+4) I have not been able to get to the gym because of my HG. FX feeling a bit better and I have started back at the gym. I know my own limits and can push myself pretty hard BUT I am very conscious that the baby isn't used to my exercise regimes because I have not been doing any throughout the pregnancy outside first 5 weeks.

Just wondering can anyone provide some fact based advice with regards cardiovascular training? I am current keeping my heart rate no higher than 145 bpm because I am worried increasing it further may harm/distress the baby. But keeping my heart rate at 145 bpm really doesn't even get me out of breath and I don't feel like I have had a workout. Sad. Does anyone know if I can take my heart rate any higher than 145bpm? Your help/advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

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Carole803 · 19/08/2013 09:26

I am qualified to give stats, but I go to the gym, spin, body balance or swimming once or twice a week.

But I wanted to know about how far to push myself, what was safe etc, so I booked in for a review, with a pregnancy trained person, at the gym and I found it really helpful.

We looked at how to set up the bike to account for the inflating belly, how to monitor my heart rate and keep my "enthusiasm" under control!

Pre-preganancy, I was going to the gym three times a week most weeks and doing two classes back-back or one class and the gym or swim. So I have had to really reign back and remember I am there to maintain my fitness, but not to get fitter, or lose weight. Now I go two or three times a week, but only manage one class at a time. For spin classes I try not to let myself sweat too much, if I am getting too hot, I back off a little. I also force myself to drink a whole bottle of water through the class and another afterwards, obviously not in once go :)

I am 21+4 and find if I don't go to the gym, I really struggle to sleep, which is challenging (with insomnia) as it is. But more importantly, it makes me feel human and really helps to make me forget about the stress of the office.

My local hospital also runs a physio session for mums to be once a month. It is a one off class to talk about PGD/SPD (which I very occassionally feel!) and pelvic floor excercises. It covers little tips like how to get in and out of cars and bed, and how to monitor yourself when doing excercise. I found it helpful, but I know not every Trust offers this, so if you are interested in something like this, ask your midwife. I am in Bristol.

So apologies if this isn't what you are after, and for the long post, but the crux of my advice is book in with your gym and specify you want someone who knows about being pregnant, then they can talk about a fitness programme to suit you.

Carole803 · 19/08/2013 09:29
  • I am NOT qualified
ChairOfTheBored · 19/08/2013 09:47

I'm 18 weeks and had a session at my gym with the trained 'ante natal' instructor when I found out I was pregnant. She suggested keeping the heart rate at around 140 ish, but also doing intervals (as labour is like one massive interval session essentially).

She also told me to avoid the rowing machine (too much belly involvement) to do nothing that involed a crunch or sit up action (as it can split your abdominal wall) and to focus on things like core posture and stengthening and stretching my hamstrings, as as I get bigger these will come under pressure.

It's been a fab programme, which I do 2-3 times a week, depending on work and energy, and I also swim.

LittlePeaPod · 19/08/2013 09:56

Carole. Thanks that was really helpful. Think I am struggling because historically I have always pushed myself so hard it now feels like I am doing nothing really. I will look into the physio - thank you. I didn't realise I could still spin without pushing too hard. My MW wasn't really that helpful and just said not to over exert myself... Confused. What does that actually mean because my idea of over exertion may be beyond what the baby can cope with.

I really appreciate your response. Thank you.

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LittlePeaPod · 19/08/2013 09:58

Thanks chair

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ChairOfTheBored · 19/08/2013 10:33

You're welcome pea. Jus to add, I find teh posture on a psinning bike more comfortable than the 'normal' static bikes inteh gym at the moment (must be due ot my expanding waist) so often pop into the studieo if there isn't a class on and use the spin bikes instead.

ChairOfTheBored · 19/08/2013 10:40

Sorry - too many types to even think about correcting!

Carole803 · 19/08/2013 10:58

some nice points made Chair. I am always learning...

BTW - nice name :)

runninggirl85 · 19/08/2013 10:59

I am in a similar situation Littlepea.

I am a runner and run 6 times a week. I probably do 3 easy ish runs between 6 and 10 miles but slow and steady but have been doing interval training and racing 5k distance (this is pre finding out i was pregnant).

Since finding out i have slowed things down and am not racing but i'm hating it and feel like i'm going to lose my fitness too quickly. I'm only about 6 or 7 weeks (i think) so its very early days for me.

I want to do an interval set today but i'm like you and i want to push myself hard.. but not at risk of the baby.

Does anyone have any ideas on what is acceptable in running?

x

badguider · 19/08/2013 11:05

I based most of my pregnancy fitness on this book: www.amazon.co.uk/Runners-World-Guide-Running-Pregnancy/dp/1579547478/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376906510&sr=8-1&keywords=runners+world+guide+to+running+in+pregnancy

I didn't actually run after 15 weeks due to loose joints and overpronation but I did cycle (mountain biking on non-technical paths) up to and including this weekend at 37 1/2 weeks. I didn't get out of breath or very sweaty, I just rode at a pace that was a light sweat and increase of heartrate but pulled back if i started to puff and pant.
I found that a couple of hours' ride at that pace would feel quite easy at the time but leave me tired afterwards so I didn't push it any more than that.

badguider · 19/08/2013 11:12

I did this dvd too for strength - lots of squats and lunges here which felt fine at 15-20 weeks but became increasingly tough as my bump weight increased..

www.amazon.co.uk/Prenatal-Fitness-Fix-Erin-OBrien/dp/B000NJLQWE/ref=sr_1_4?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1376907085&sr=1-4&keywords=Erin+O%27Brien

runninggirl85 · 19/08/2013 12:34

Thank you - will take a look :-)

LittlePeaPod · 20/08/2013 07:39

Thanks ladies. I am not so worried with regards the strengthening/toning exercise. I am comfortable with that (doing weights, squirts etc., yoga and pilates). It's the cardiovascular and how high I can push my heart rate. Been doing some research and it seems the old advice with regards keeping your heart rate at 140/145 bmp has since changed to show we can push harder. I will try and speak to my GP and see if we can get a clear guideline on the heart rate.. It's very confusing and the NHS guidelines are so generic they are as useful as a chocolate fire guard.

Bad thanks for the link.

running my SIL is a runner (marathons etc.). She is 30 weeks with DC2. Spoke to her and she says she has carried on running and still is now at 30 weeks apparently she gets some reallyodd comments / looks from people when sheis out The only thing is she isn't doing the really long distances now. She has also carried on with her circuit training.

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VinegarDrinker · 20/08/2013 07:44

Have you seen the RCOG guidance? There is some useful stuff re. maximum HR etc. www.rcog.org.uk/womens-health/clinical-guidance/exercise-pregnancy

I am by no means super fit, but am a recreational/commuting cyclist. I cycled up til the day before going into labour.

LittlePeaPod · 20/08/2013 07:53

Vinegar. Thanks for the link. I will have a look at that.. Smile

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