Anyone know about pregnancy and wind/brass playing

[FloweryBoots]

I?m a keen amateur trumpet player and have just got pregnant (6 + 4). Just wondering if anyone can tell me how the pregnancy is likely to affect my breathing for playing and when/if I?m likely to need to stop. I often dep for orchestras, which is a handy extra bit of cash, but don?t know when I?ll need to stop. Does it affect breathing much, or will I just need to stop when I can?t guarantee I?ll be able to stay awake to the end of the concert, or not start labour part way through?!

Um I am not a brass player but as nobody else has replied maybe this will be a bit useful... I sing in a choir and during both pregnancies have managed to keep going and doing concerts until about 7 months pg before stopping.

The timing of stopping was partly due to term/concert dates, not just my choice, but TBH I would not have wanted to do concerts much later than that as I did start to get a bit short of breath and sometimes a bit dizzy after long phrases or loud bits; and it is easier to "cheat" by sneaking extra breaths when in a choir than playing an instrument where you might be on your own or just 2 of you for some bits I guess? (The other thing was that we would be standing up for most of the concerts which got hard towards the end, but I guess that wouldn't apply to you).

Also take a look at this link if it works - Alison Balsom planning to play a trumpet concerto at 7 months!

It seems to be different for everyone. Both myself and a girl I've met via these boards have gone from very sporty, fit women to those who are left depleted climbing just one flight of stairs or taking the dogs for a stroll around the park. This doesn't seem to affect everyone by a long shot - but it is debilitating and I'm finding, rather upsetting, getting so out of breath over "nothing".

Hi,I play the trombone and was able to play in a concert at 9 months. I did feel dizzy, but the hardest part was at 3/4 months, when I felt too sick to play. It didn't have any effect on the dcs or send me into early labour!

I had a friend who played tenor horn and was rehearsing for the regionals whilst in labour, I remember it was quite funny all had to be timed between contractions. A week later at the regionals she had her new DS watching her. It can be done.

Ha, pregnancy and wind I could tell you about. Wind instruments however... not a clue

At 6 months I played the violin in a production of fiddler on the roof which involved climbing up and down a ladder onto a narrow platform 3 times a night for a week's run and I was fine.

Not quite the same as playing a brass instrument but if I were you I would just play it by ear (sorry for the pun) and see how you go. Everyone seems to be affected slightly differently in pregnancy I think.

Hi,

I'm a professional trumpet player and am pregnant with my second child. My first was a boy and I worked right up to the very last minute, finishing work at 10pm and giving birth at 4am the next morning. I found standing up to play difficult to do from around 5 months and felt a little uncomfortable during growth spurts for a day or so while my abs re-adjusted. I am now 9 weeks away from giving birth to a little girl. This pregnancy has been much easier as I think I am carrying differently - much more to the front, either that or my body has got used to being stretched. Breathing is ok but I find I can't sustain as long phrases but my top register has never been better - every note I play is naturally supported!! For me, the biggest struggle was getting used to having nothing there after the birth - no baby or muscle tone but it does come back after a couple of months.

I play the saxophone and play in a community orchestra. I was fine up until the last month generally, (although there was the odd piece that I really couldn't keep up with!). Occasionally felt a little dizzy but just ensured I took extra breaths (phrasing - out the window!)or 'awarded' myself a sneaky bars rest here and there.

I found standing to play (well, leaning against tables, etc)was much comfier as i got further on. I think DD used to like it,I miss feeling her rumbling about while I play - and funnily enough last month (aged 6 months)she came to a 70 minute concert we gave and was quite happy the whole way through in the audience with her grandparents!

it was harder for me, but I played Clarinet, including in orchestras as a releif, in all my pregnancies.

You have to take more breaths - don't rely on that big one at the start for a phrase! - but it kept me going and I didn't stop till I went into labour!

All my kids (now 9, 7, 6) love classical music, if that helps!

Its the sustain for singing the last notes I lost... although I did find trying to turn the pages at 7mo virtually impossible (viola, so quite a long way from the stand!)

Hello there!

I know this is an old post, but I am a brass player in NYC and I'm coming to the end of my second pregnancy. I'm putting some info out on the Internet for new moms that play brass or winds, hope it helps! I remember feeling lost the first time so I hope this information helps someone out there!

Sincerely,

Audrey

www.audreyfloreshorn.com/blog/2017/3/17/being-pregnant-and-playing-a-brass-instrument-caution-physical-details-included