Active and fit during pregnancy

[Cinai]

First time pregnant at 40. I’m trying to put together a workout plan to get in good shape and support/prepare my body for deliver and recovery….now that I’m in the second trimester, I feel good enough to focus more on my health again. I’m not quite sure where to start though…before pregnancy, I did martial arts, occasionally yoga and Pilates, and running. Martial Arts is out of question now and I think I might need to let go of running as well. I went for 5k this weekend but my joints really hurt. I was a bit overweight before pregnancy but already put 5kg on since and I think running with the extra weight doesn’t do me any good.

Any ideas and suggestions of what is most helpful? I’ve considered looking for a PT and/or signing up for online classes (or following a YouTuber).

Should I focus on building up core strength? Grateful for any recommendations of good online classes / programmes / courses etc…or just for others to join this thread for accountability because I always found it hard to keep going with fitness classes.

have a look at midwife pip’s website, she has programmes for pregnancy

Thanks @MrsScotland this looks good, I’ll give it a try

I am a bit lost with exercise at the moment. I normally go to a pretty tough kettlebell class with a lot of core work. I haven;t been for 3 weeks since finding out. I am 39 and want to be fit for birth but also apprehensive about going to my class as I lost a baby at 14 weeks and feel like I want to do everything to make this one work out x

Check out Bumps & Burpees on Instagram, she has programmes for each trimester and postnatal. I have her book too and really like it.

I was also first time pregnant at 40. I found swimming really good, particularly in the third trimester, and it's free for pregnant women at council pools. I also did pregnancy yoga classes, and it was a nice way to meet other pregnant women. And I walked a lot and kept this up throughout pregnancy, right til the end (I was lucky to not suffer from any hip/pelvic issues). Listen to your body, and ask midwife if you're unsure.

Yes, I just googled a bit and came across Bumps & Burpees, will check it out….i also saw The Bump Plan, does anyone have experience with them?

I’ll probably wait with swimming a bit longer, maybe I’ll do that towards the third trimester when I need something very low impact. I never was the biggest fan of swimming, and going into cool water when it’s cold outside is worse 😅

@MrsScotland Sorry to hear about your loss!

I put pregnancy yoga on YouTube and do whichever workout I fancy! I did a quick 15 minute one today when I got straight in from work as my back was really sore and it massively helped!

I've also found the more I do them the better my breathing gets and the more I can hold in my core (i.e sucking in baby).

Walking is really good exercise, gentle but still lots of movement and it's meant to be good for getting baby in the right position towards the end

Don't forget pelvic floor exercises too! I completely forgot in my first trimester thinking I had time and now almost every time I wee, when I stand up a bit of dribble comes out! I do pelvic floor exercises like a mad woman now haha and it's getting a bit better