23 weeks pregnant and haven't done ANY walking.

[twinklelittlestar01]

Hi all, 👋🏽

As the title says I am pregnant and haven't done any walking. Currently 23 weeks and have had a difficult pregnancy so far.

I suffered from Hyperemesis from week 5 to week 19/20 of the pregnancy and so lost a ton of weight and became really deconditioned. I was basically in bed for all that time.

I have finally started eating again and also back at work for the last 2 weeks but I'm now in pain due to symphysis pubis dysfunction. I struggle with walking, standing, taking stairs, getting in/out of bed or the car 😕

I always thought when I get pregnant I'll start walking /eating healthy from day 1 but things don't always work out how you imagine!

Ideally I want to have a natural birth but will have epidural if needs be. Can I still start to walk and have a good/easy birth or is it too late?

Please can anyone share if they had similar experiences.

Thanks! 😊

If walking aggravates the spd, don't do it.

If walking is ok for you, sure!! Just start small and work up distances. Don't overdo it. Over-exertion makes spd worse.

I get really bad spd/pgp and stopped walking the second I found out I was pregnant because I already know from my previous pregnancy that it makes it worse for me.

Find a physio/chiropractor/osteopath who specialises in pregnancy issues for manual manipulation to help the spd not get worse (or at least unmanageably so).

Hi @twinklelittlestar01
I'm exactly the same I was hoping to be really fit and active during pregnancy but also suffered with hyperemesis from weeks 5-16. I was in bed most of that time & lost around a stone in weight. Even when the hyperemesis wore off I felt really weak & most days feel light headed/breathless/dizzy. At 37 weeks now I still feel like that after doing a bit of housework so I've barely gone out of the house. I've been lucky enough to work from home during covid but that means I've been very sedentary & I feel really unfit not having my usual walk to work. I've also been suffering with bad pelvic pain since quite early on (had the same problem with my 1st pregnancy) so even if I've felt well enough to go for a walk or do some exercise it isn't long before I have to stop!

Have you tried a support belt? I got one from amazon for about £10. It doesn't feel like it's giving much support when I have it on but I can definitely tell the difference later on. If I don't wear it whilst doing the housework or walking I get awful pelvic & back pain afterwards to the point I can barely move at all.

I wouldn't worry at 23 weeks you still have plenty of time to hopefully start feeling better & start walking. It's too late for me now 😂 I have found getting up and moving around if only for a minute or two helps with the pgp if I'm really not up to doing anything

Another hyperemesis sufferer here. I am only 19 weeks. I used to walk, cycle and swim regularly. Now I get out of breath going up one flight of stairs. If I am on my feet for more than 30 minutes I need a nap. Don't worry. It's just the nature of the beast. Your body will let you know what you can and can't do. Just go with it. Hugs x