walking in late pregnancy?

[booyhoo]

im 36 weeks and am generally not an energetic person but know i will need to excercise after baby is born, a couple of days this week i have taken very short and slow paced walks however last night i got cramps very low down like contractions. ( this is dc2) could i have caused this? and am i risking early labour if i keep on walking? they really are the slowest of walks because as i said i am unfit and a very short distance. the only reason im doing them is to try and get myself used to being active before baby is born.

braxton hicks. very good. keep going.

[disclaimer, if you're worried go see your gp!]

so you think its ok to keep up the walking?

I am 40 weeks this week and still walking regularly if a bit slowly and painfully. I have been getting very strong braxton hicks for weeks now and see it as a good sign of my body prepping for the real thing (though currently telling baby not to come just yet as dh has gastro and won't be allowed into hospital!!!

I walked and swam miles and miles right up to when DS was born. But I was fit to start with. I think walking is fairly encouraged in late pg isn't it?

When I was 1-2 weeks overdue with DS I walked and walked and walked (well, waddled) in an effort to get him moving - it didn't!

As long as you don't overdo it, it should be good for you. (But, as always, chat to your midwife if you're worried).

i also walked right up to birth. Infact i chased and ran a bit around a huge pond the day b4 i went into labour. It's not good to not be active at all unless you have a medical reason

If you WANT to carry on walking and are enjoying it then you won't do yourself any harm, but if it is tiring you out then save your energy for labour and start the new exercise regime after your baby is born. This late on in pregnancy is not a good time to start doing things you wouldn't normally do, purely because your body is already doing a lot just lugging your baby about and fattening him up for the big day When s/he is here you will be able to start walking with him/her in the pram or sling.

Best of luck.

I think walking, per se, isn't goin gto cause any damage - I walked about 7 miles a day right up until DS was born and I worked until the day before too without any problems.

He was born on the Saturday and I was back walking by Wednesday.

I'm due in August with DD (DS is now 11 months old) and still walking probably 5-6 miles a day (DDog likes his exercise!) but I'm slower (I'm blaming the fact I have DS on my back!!!) and I'm finding hills hard!!!

In fact, I'm seriously considering the Moonwalk, which is 26.2M, in May when I'll be 6.5months PG....

ANd my Dr and the Moonwalk organisers are fine with that.

BUT, I don't think you should be trying to increase fitmess levels this close to the baby being born. Could you try a swimming class? Aqua aerobics? That might give you a little more support?? Just an idea (and good luck with the birth!)

thanks all, you are ptting me to shame with your 6 and 8 mile walks!!! you have all confirmed what i already thought, that being a bit active is better than not at all. i hate swimming and the dog still needs his daily trot so i'll just keep going at my deathly slow pace and bore the hell outta him. haribosmummy, please let us know if you do the moonwalk, i'll order your medal!!!