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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

How much exercise would you do?

12 replies

hobbgoblin · 17/03/2009 21:47

I'm 24 weeks, haven't gained much weight really but have gone all wobbly and untoned with tops of legs and arse getting bigger. I want to keep it under control over the next 10 weeks at least and as I'm not eating much at all it looks like exercise is going to be the way.

Given I am fairly out of shape fitness wise, and also with plcenta praevia (unless 30 week scan says no longer the case) how much exercise would you do if you were me?

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diddle · 17/03/2009 22:07

I wouldn't do a great deal, would definitly get advice from midwife, and maybe do some pregnancy specific stuff, might be worth buying or renting Davina's pre and post natal workout dvd and take it gently

Jackaroo · 18/03/2009 00:37

The alarm bells are ringing for me here when you say "I'm not eating much at all "......

jeez, you're having a baby. I know this days everyone acts as if it's something your body should be able to do whilst you train to be a circus acrobat, but go easy on yourself!

Placenta previa is one of the things that can contraindicates exercise during pregnancy, so unless you have a midwife/gp who is very clued up about prenatal exercise, I'd just steer clear.

If you're out of shape, and not eating much, and have placenta previa, I think you have answered your own question!

If you do get the go ahead, bear in mind that you need to start at the beginning, and that walking (with slopes) is the way to go.

But really, I just wouldn't.

SniffyHock · 18/03/2009 00:41

I was always told you shouldn't start anything new in pregnancy. Paula Radcliffe was probably training more than I could not pregnant but her body was used to that. Do not start exercise you are not used to. Def consult a professional.

Leannabanana · 18/03/2009 07:29

hobbgoblin - i was just reading about something called preg-orexia in a mag yesterday where ladies are so scared of getting fat during pregnancy that they really restrict food intake and up exercise....be really careful not to go to far in your bid to stay in shape....we aresupposed to put on around two stone....i really understand your anxiety but try and balance it with the needs of your bubba who is relying on you in every sense to be taking GOOD care of yourself healthwise...i have started GENTLY swimming twice a week....speak to your midwife and see what she recommends....remember to enjooy your pregnancy....your body is amazing because it is sustaining the life of your growing child....treat it with love and care not keep it 'under control'....

Gemzooks · 18/03/2009 08:23

agree with others. you can tone up gently doing squats at home, not too low, half squats. I do series of different ones with small handweights..

I found the cross trainer was good in preg, but you mustn't overdo it. 10-15 minutes slowly. Now I'm 38 weeks I go outside and just go up and down on a step for 10 minutes, not too fast.

your aim is to gently strengthen yourself, keep supple and flexible and get some low level cardio, like walking, stepping. I found the pilates in pregnancy dvd quite good for stretches. you really need to do gentle stretching and flexibility exercises to ward off aches and pains.

also, as someone who had very nice toned thighs, bum and tummy,(and got it back again except for the tummy due to stretching) you just have to let that go until after the birth. I never had an ounce of fat on my thighs, but while pregnant and breastfeeding I slowly gained fat and everything went wobbly. You need that fat for nurturing and feeding your child. It goes away again with exercise after the birth, but for that period of your life, you need it. You can always be a superfit mum, don't worry about looking wobbly and weight gain in preg, there is nothing you can do about it, your body is very clever and wise and is going through these changes because you are nourishing a baby. Don't try to control your body too much during this time, there's plenty of time to get back in shape later.

given the placenta praevia, I would maybe even not risk going on a cross trainer, just do walking, gentle stepping or swimming, but squats and gentle toning is OK.

christiana · 18/03/2009 08:35

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hobbgoblin · 18/03/2009 09:23

Thank you, there are some great suggestions here. Don't know why I didn't think of Yoga or Pilates as I loved these when I used to go to the gym regularly.

I admit there are 'issues' with me in this pregnancy which are contributing to my feeling the need to be in control of my body so I guess I need to watch that.

It's a fine balance between accepting my pregnant state and embracing it and the need for me to stay independent and not too wrapped up in being a mummy again. Life is going to be very tough and I don't have the support necessary to indulge and relax and I need to hold on to my identity pre-pregnancy because I just know that, recently dumped, I'm going to feel fat, frumpy and tired after the baby is born and that won't help me bond.

OP posts:
sarah293 · 18/03/2009 09:25

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christiana · 18/03/2009 09:26

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brettgirl2 · 18/03/2009 09:53

But if you can keep up exercise it's good to do so. I had awful back pain from about 22 weeks up until recently (it's now settled down at 36 weeks ). But this stopped me from doing much and I'm just so unfit and because I'm heavier my legs are barely strong enough to carry me. I don't care about my weight (which is never really a problem anyway) but I just want to get fit!!!! I can only walk about a mile and I used to be able to climb mountains!

lljkk · 18/03/2009 10:03

I would do lots of walking & as much swimming as I felt up to.
Key is go with how you feel, don't over-heat or get very tired.

Leannabanana · 18/03/2009 10:16

hobbgoblin - poor you - sorry you are feeling so sad. please don't worry about bonding tho....wait til your little one looks in to your eyes....it will have all been worth it i'm sure... i really struggle with how many stretchmarks appeared during my second pregnancy and looking back at pictures of me during pregnancy i can see that i actually did look really fat and frumpy BUT as soon as James was born i realised how insignificant it actually was given what my body had just done!!! this time i am trying to be accepting of the changes that will naturally occur...get yourself to a yoga class....mind body and spirit....i recommend a really good book called The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz too...lovely little tool for calming your mind... x

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