Exercise in pregnancy - what did you/do you do?

[maddiedh]

Hi, I'm wondering whether anyone can offer me some advice. I've just found out that I'm pregnant and I'm wondering what exercise other people have done or are doing in pregnancy. I'd really appreciate any advice people can give about this. Thanks

Am 8 weeks with DC3. Didn't do much with the first 2 other than walking (day to day stuff but also hiking) but went into this pregnancy much fitter - walk a couple of miles every day on school run, running twice a week. Have had a couple of weeks off my regular kettlebells class as feeling too exhausted but heading back next week - teacher knows I'm pg and is modifying the programme to suit me.

Hope to keep both up into second trimester. Will walk the whole way through (hiking over stiles on my due date with DD in vain attempt to evict her so am used to hiking in pregnancy!)

I swam as much as I could it was fine

This info is great, thanks. I've been doing body balance classes but I was worried about moves that involve twisting. Do you think I'm being a bit crazy to worry about that? I was running but I've swapped to the cross trainer which feels a bit better. I just don't want to be an unfit blob in 9 months time. I also love the idea of having an easier labour if I'm fit!

talk to your instructor, there are ways how to adapt exercises for pregnant women.

A lot of the twists instead of being done across the body can be done the same side IYSWIM. My instructors were great at adapting for me and towards the end I sat out the abs track which gave me a nice midway breather!

18 weeks and still spinning 3 times a week. Not even trying to take it easy now, just going with how I feel. Struggled a bit in first 12 weeks with my energy levels but feel much better now.

I'm jealous of all you people managing to exercise so much during your pregnancies! I'm in week 12, and haven't been able to do much of anything at all so far. Walking dog round park for 40 mins is exhausting. Was pretty fit before. Did a lot of Afrobrazilian dance prior to pregnancy. Had a scare in week 11 when did some dancing and next morning had a bleed. Dr told me to do no aerobics, weightlifting, or other vigorous exercise. Also a bit paranoid as my mom nearly lost me at 12 weeks from walking too far.

Hi all, I'm 5 weeks pregnant and like everyone else am terrified of anything going wrong. I am fairly fit and want to make sure i pop back into shape as quickly as possible after baby arrives. i have been advised by a gym instructor to give up spin as its quite intense and will make me too hot and I am unsure about ab work (plank / crunches etc)... just feels wrong. Does anyone have advise?

Ab work is generally considered fine in first trimester, but I think the golden rule has to be that you shouldn't go anything you feel uncomfortable about.

At the moment I'm walking the dog everyday and that's it. I'm considering getting back into classes at the local gym back in the UK (I'm in France until January), but just things like aquafit and body balance.

Plank is fine to the end. In fact it can be bizarrely helpful for back pain and giving the bits of you that are getting squished a rest! But the catch is you need to have been doing it all the way through and you won't be able to hold it as long.

Jillian Micheal's with abs until month 3, JM without abs until month 5. Suzanne Bowen and Erin after that. Was back in my jeans after 4 days. I literally punched the air. Exercised 5-6 days a week. I had more aches and pains if I didn't and found it really helped with the rib pain as well as helping me to sleep.

I think the key points are: go easy on abs exercises (eg sit-ups) but still do things that help your core; don't knacker yourself or overheat and rest when you're tired.

I used to do a lot of hiking, running and swimming. Since getting pregnant I can do just about nothing! DH hustles me out the door to go round the park with the dog about 3 times a week which helps with the round ligament aches. But by the time I have done a days work I am exhausted. I sleep for 10 hours and am exhausted as soon as I wake up. I am trying to build more little walks in like going out for 20 minutes round the block at lunch. I think you really need to listen to your body and what it is telling you. For me it's all about rest as I have bad morning (and evening!) sickness. If you are able to do more then great, but don't feel bad if you can't always get the exercise or nutrition you are used to. Walking is very good.

I recommend you to enroll to a yoga class for pregnant women. Yoga for pregnant women can really help you to improve your breathing and flexibility. You can also do yoga at home but try the basics first. Yoga is a full body exercise it relaxes your mind and body.

I did Body Attack until 37 weeks. I had an easy pregnancy and I'm convinced being fit helped. my body also went back to normal pretty much straight away.