Exercise and pregnancy

[ChickenMe]

Hi everyone

For the main part I've been trying to keep active during my pregnancy (18w). I'm curious to see how others are getting on with this?

For instance, if you've had a previous pregnancy, how did exercise help? Easier labour? Did it help with weight gain?

I go to the gym and I also try to go on walks. I had to stop the gym for a while as I had a heavy bleed. But I missed being active so much, I started to feel depressed! So I'm back on it (but just taking it easy).

What exercise do you like doing in pregnancy? Are there any you had to stop doing?

I think there are defo psychological benefits if nothing else.

Would like to hear all about other ladies' experiences

In my last pregnancy in 2012 I was practically crippled with sciatica and hip bursitis and it has been a long recovery to get back to a reasonable level of fitness. There's no way I'm giving up on that and ending this pregnancy the same way. I do Pilates (my instructor gives me pregnancy modifiers such as not lying on my back), kettlebells, I'm starting pregnancy yoga and I weightlift three times a week. My midwife told me to only do gentle exercise such as walking, how could I tell her I was deadlifting over 40 kg?!

I did Body Attack until 37 weeks. I definitely think it helped with the birth. After all, pushing is bloody hard work!

Thought all you ladies interested in physical fitness whilst pregnant might enjoy this article:
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/the-running-blog/2014/nov/04/does-childbirth-improve-athletic-ability?

Interesting article, thanks. Trying to keep motivated to carry on as soooo tired as keep waking up to pee !!

I swim 14 hrs a week and walk my dog lots , I am 27 wks and getting tired now but going to keep it up . I swam lots and my previous labours were reasonably short and recovery fast .

I pretty much kept up with my normal exercise regime (mostly high impact intensive classes) and was still teaching Bodypump 9 months pregnant. I had a very easy pregnancy without any of the usual complaints, aches and pains, short (not easy, but short) labour and DS shot out in 2 pushes. Was back in gym in just few weeks as well, very speedy recovery. I'm sure keeping fit and active helped, so planning to do the same with this one.

As said, labour is hard work, so being unfit most likely won't make it any easier.

What I also noticed in the 1st trimester - I was more tired if I didn't work out. If I went straight home and sat on the sofa, I felt exhausted. If I dragged myself to the gym, I was fine and full of energy afterwards.

StuntNun it's such a shame healthcare professionals have no idea about benefits of exercise in pregnancy. If you have been active before pregnancy, then walking just won't cut it.

Rubyboo, geeky swim question, what are you swimming in, suit-wise?! I am 28+4 and just about squeezing into my TYR crossback suit, am thinking may soon need to scare the other swimmers by breaking out a 2-piece! Not just the tum but my boobs are out of control!