Hatcam or other fitness gurus - can you give me some advice on exercising around full term in pg?

[FrannyandZooey]

Hello, Hatcam I notice you are the person to speak to on this so I hope you see this thread

I am nearly 37 weeks pg and have been going to the gym semi-regularly - not doing anything particularly strenous as have had SPD problems but am doing a nice upper body workout, trying to work quite hard and raise my heartbeat etc. My question is, I am feeling a bit worried in case I go into labour on one of the days when I have visited the gym. Sometimes I feel quite tired afterwards, and I am wondering if it might leave me without enough physical reserves for labour - maybe I am being daft about this, I don't know if it works that way. I would like to go on exercising because it could be weeks until the baby arrives, I like the endorphins, and I am sure it is helping my blood pressure / general fitness levels a bit anyway. I am getting plenty of rest at other times as it is hard to be active with the pelvic pain anyway.

Do you think I should just carry on as normal, slow down a bit, or stop altogether?

hopeful bump

please anyone chip in with ideas, I just put hatcam in title as I believe she is knowledgeable about such things

For what its worth, I think you can carry on as normal - I think if your body couldn't cope it would naturally slow down anyway. You might find that means it slows down as it anticipates labour, but if its making you feel good and you really feel you're not pushing yourself then I say good for you. Just make up for the exertion with plenty of rest otherwise and good food and I'm sure you'll cope really well. I did lots of exercise last time round and felt my body coped so much better than before, so I'm planning to keep up a routine for as long as I feel like it. And part of that is definitely psychological too - made me feel more prepared for labour. Good luck!

thank you, no I think you are right - I am not pushing myself and I am enjoying it, so it should be ok shouldn't it
I just have this fear I will come home ready to collapse pleasantly for the evening and start feeling some contractions

Agree with greenlawn, don't underestimate the psychological benefits. In last preg, I went swimming every morning right up to the day I went in to hospital. It was the one period of the day when I felt calm and centred (and weightless!). I wouldn't worry about not having enough physical reserves, it's not as if you're running a marathon (I hope). Just take it slowly, and enjoy the last few weeks as much as you can.

Good luck with it all!

Could you swim instead? I would try and slow right down at this stage, but I am a lazy mare

can't swim, have spd and only know breaststroke!
thanks for your thoughts

hey there frannyandzooey

There's no real physiological reason you should change your routine, if that's what you're used to. If you feel good and you're not feeling too knackered, then keep going. Eat well and get plenty of rest in between exercising.

But.....be sensible. If you're posting this, then maybe there's a seed of doubt in your mind that it is a bit tiring, which may be a sign that you should ease off a little?

Does that make sense?

Being fit stands you in really, really good stead for labour, I exercised right up until giving birth and I think it really helped me recover quickly, but you must listen to your body.

Good luck with the baby!

yes i do understand totally
I am a bit of a fusspot though and there are normally seeds of doubt about EVERYTHING in my mind but I will try to focus and find out whether this seed is justified or not
I think it really improves my mood and I read that exercisers are less likely to be overdue! but I am only managing to go once or twice a week at best so I don't know if I will be getting all the benefits

anyway, thank you, it's been helpful

hi FandZ, I exercised right up to the end with both of my pregnancies - with DC2, I did a spinning class, my waters broke in the changing room and I gave birth a few hours later.

Go with how you feel and as long as you are not doing anything heavily energetic and you are listening to your body then you should be fine. I ditto hatcam's comment about keeping fit and active helping with the recovery. And remember to hydrate well too.

Good luck!