Exercise in first trimester - feeling a bit s**t

[mumofmunchkin]

I'm currently 6 weeks pregnant with my third. Prior to getting pregnant I was running a lot, and playing netball every week. I had every intention of keeping it going as long as I could, and playing netball probably up to 12 weeks.

However, I think I'd forgotten just how generally s**t I feel during the first trimester. Not throwing up, but my legs feel like someone has tied weights to them and random bouts of nausea during the day. I had to walk half a mile this morning and needed a sit down at the end as I was flushed and feeling ill.

Has anyone else managed to exercise through the first trimester? How?

Honestly I think it's just luck as to whether you have debilitating symptoms and are able to. I've always exercised the whole way through but I don't have sickness or fatigue in pregnancy. If I did I would just do as much as I could. Is there any type of activity that you feel more able to cope with like swimming/cycling on a stationary bike/yoga? Otherwise you might have to wait till you feel better and pick up after 12 weeks.

@mumofmunchkin I'm in week 6 and feeling terrible too, aiming to go for a swim later but we shall see! Listen to you body and dial it back a bit!

I did none for my entire pregnancy, despite being very active beforehand.

I had horrible hyperemesis, and the women in my family had all had SPD during pregnancy, one being wheelchair bound from 10w until birth. I decided it wasn't worth the risk and stopped all exercise as soon as I got my BFP.

I was sick for 17w and still got SPD, but least it was at 37w and even so it lasted for about 8 months after DD was born, and I still get occasional twinges (understatement ) 6 years later.

Lots of people I trained with said I should have continued training, and pointed out women who carried on until 38w etc., but I'm glad I took it easy. It could have been much, much, worse.

If you are already fit and active before your BFP then you probably have already got the health benefits. Take it easy for now, if you want to resume activity later on then do so but don't feel pressurised to do it just because someone else did, even if that other woman was you last pregnancy.

yeah, I got lots of exercise, in spite of puking lots & general horrible grot feeling. Took it easy, so slower pace, less distance, but did what I could. If a 10minute walk wore me out then that would be enough for that day.

I was lucky my sickness was gone enough by 14-18 wks I could then just keep going with how I felt.

I was fine until about 7 weeks then I had to cut down which meant I went from 5 gym class sessions to 3 and couldn't cycle anywhere as I was simply too tired. I also couldn't do any exercise in the afternoons/evenings as my morning sickness hit.

Found it really depends on the week and day by day. I had a rough period weeks 5-7 where I did very little (no running or cycling). Now at 10.5 weeks I manage 1 run a week and 1 long cycle and some cycling around town. Hoping it gets better as I was running 3x a week and did the duathlon at 4 weeks pregnant before nausea and fatigue kicked in!
Take it easy and definitely listen to your body, I didn’t early on and one memorable bike ride had to stop to throw up due to motion sickness & morning sickness!