Exercise in pregnancy ... some advice please!

[BorgLady]

Hi all,

This is my first pregnancy and I'm currently 26 weeks gone. I had AWFUL morning sickness at the beginning, the kind where if I moved, I threw up. Consequently, I spent seven weeks on the sofa without moving and pretty much atrophied.

I'm much better now (thank God!) but I still can't do very much without getting totally exhausted, which usually leads to heartburn, and then more throwing up. If I walk into town, it takes me two days to get over it!

I thought this would improve over time, but it really hasn't. Now I'm starting to think there's no way I'll get through childbirth if I can't get upstairs without being out of breath!

I was thinking about getting a pregnancy exercise DVD, something gentle I can do every day to build up my stamina a bit. However, I'm a bit worried this might not be the time to start, as I haven't done any exercise since school and although I'm not overweight, I wouldn't describe myself as fit.

Does anyone have any advice? Should I just put my tiredness down to normal pregnancy fatigue and not worry? Or am I setting myself up for something horrible like forceps?

If I should be exercising, what kind of thing should I be doing? Something like yoga, or should I go for Davina's pre and post natal workout? I heard good things about that!

Any advice would be most welcome. Exercise and I have been strangers since the days of horrible PE teachers and freezing cross country runs!

I exercise loads and am 33weeks PG and haven't had any issues. Currently walking about 7 miles per day, plus I do yoga and swim when I can (really wanted to do aqua natal but just haven't had the time)

I think maybe agreeing something with your Dr might be a good idea as it might give you the confidence that it's OK for the baby etc.,

I'd def. recommend yoga - even just as a stretch type of work out and to relax. Also an aqua natal class if you can make one (not lengths, which can be quite tiring on certain muscles IMO)

you should def not attempt to get fit now

in pregnancy you should aim to retain you pre-pregnancy levels of fitness (with certain caveats about high impact stuff)

so, if you've done pretty much zilch for years, then stick to walking or swimming

i would advise you to speak with your midwife if you're worried about coping with labour

speak to GP about the tiredness - doesn't sound that usual for someone to be that tired in 2nd trimester - you might be a touch anaemic (low in iron). In terms of exercise - would have thought walking and swimming would be nicer than a fitness DVD.

I'm 25 weeks pregnant and used to do quite a bit of exercise before the dreaded morning sickness kicked in. I was training for a marathon so was fairly fit (even if still overweight)!

But, like you BorgLady, my sickness stopped all that as couldn't even walk through my office without feeling sick and light headed!

Started feeling better about 18 weeks so decided to start exercising again. I go swimming about 4 times a week during my lunch break at work, and try to go walking twice a week. I'm still not as fit as I was but it does really help with boosting energy levels.

So I'd suggest a swim every now and then and definately a walk to build up strength. Any type of movement and exercise is good. I've been told that 20 mins moderate exercise three times a week is what we should all be aiming for.

So go for it! It'll make you feel so much better.

As for Davina vid, been thinking about that one myself. If you do get it let us know how you get on!