Exercise during pregnancy? « Back to Group Discussions

[my kidlets and me]

Hi all - while this is baby #5 for me, it's the first pregnancy where I am exercising regularly.  I started running regularly back in the summer, and am currently running ~5K 2 times a week and rowing once a week.  I'm hoping to keep it up as long as possible, both for the health benefits, and so I don't have as much ground to make up after the baby is born (this pregnancy is a surprise, to say the least).  

I know that I should take it easy so I don't get injured - I'm not sure when relaxin starts kicking in, but it's pretty soon, yes?  Any BTDT tips from other mamas?  

Thanks for the feedback!

[RunAddict]

Good for you! I ran throughout my 1st pregnancy, even doing some 5k races, a 10k and a half marathon at 17 weeks. I ran 4 miles the day before giving birth too! I found a lot of misinformation about heart rate and got some negative comments too, but it didn't bother me. Most people who gave me grief weren't athletic anyways, so they didn't understand. Just stick with it, take it easy, and drink lots of water! Stretching helped a lot too.

I totally found it helped with my natural labor and my ability to bounce back. Good luck!

[my kidlets and me]

Thanks for the feedback, RunAddict!  So you ran all the way through your pregnancy?  I had planned to train for a 10K at the end of April....sounds like this might still be possible, as long as I don't try to break any speed records (not that I'm a fast runner at all...).

This is very encouraging!  Anyone else?

[somegirl99]

I've been running a bit too, but my schedule has not let me do it regularly.  Hoping that a change of positions at work next month will let me do more.  I did a 5K race last weekend with my 2yo in the stroller, that was fun.

Other than that I've been doing some low-weight lifting, lots of stretching, and trying to work transverse abs.  We have free yoga twice a week at work, my new schedule should let me have time for that, but is it ok just to do regular yoga and not prenatal?  Otherwise I was thinking of getting a prenatal yoga DVD.
 

[LeighPF]

Last year (or the one before?) one of the women who ran the Chicago Marathon gave birth that evening (full term).

Me, I prefer my water aerobics and the lots and lots of walking I do to get us everywhere.

[GISDiva]

I took water aerobics last time around through our rec department, I looooved it.  I was with a bunch of old ladies who didn't give a s#*%, but they were constantly fawning over me.  

I really, really need to get back into a yoga habit.  Seriously.  And somegirl99, it was always my understanding that you can do regular yoga as long as it feels OK.  Let me double-check with a friend of mine though, she's a certified teacher (who has never taught a class -ha!), but she has knowledgeable contacts. :)

[somegirl99]

Thanks GISDiva, I appreciate it!
 

[LeighPF]

I was the youngest by a generation in my class, most of the others were old enough to be my grandmother, but it was fun chatting with them, and everyone was so friendly. I love my Y.

It was a really great stretch and it made a huge difference in helping me sleep. I am trying to decide about signing up for January. I would have to change into my suit before preschool drop off though and hussle.

[FarmerCathy]

I try to walk everyday and then trying to find my prenatal yoga and weight lifting videos.  They are in a box somewhere.  Good luck though on trying to find a good prenatal yoga video.  They all are kinda substandard.  I have the crunch mama one and its a little low key for me, but it has some good stretches.

[GISDiva]

Originally Posted by somegirl99 

Thanks GISDiva, I appreciate it!
 

She also said the same thing, do it until you don't feel right about it anymore.  She also said that if you're taking a class, it's also up to the teacher sometimes whether they're comfortable in knowing how to modify the poses and/or use props to properly support the body.  Some know more about it than others.  I can't imagine the series I took once through my local recreation department at a school library for 30 bucks would suit prenatal needs, but who knows. 

[somegirl99]

Originally Posted by GISDiva 

She also said the same thing, do it until you don't feel right about it anymore.  She also said that if you're taking a class, it's also up to the teacher sometimes whether they're comfortable in knowing how to modify the poses and/or use props to properly support the body.  Some know more about it than others.  I can't imagine the series I took once through my local recreation department at a school library for 30 bucks would suit prenatal needs, but who knows. 

Thanks for the quick follow-up!  I haven't taken the classes here yet but my coworkers are really positive about the teachers.  I guess I will try it out a few times and see what I think then maybe talk to the teachers.

[mellybelly]

I was a pretty avid runner prior to getting pregnant, but I've found myself getting dizzy recently. Anyone else? To be fair, I also just moved my running indoors (to a treadmill, which I haven't used for a LOOOOOONG time), so maybe it's just because I'm trying to focus on the TV (individual TV on the treadmill) while bouncing up and down? Anyway, I've been reluctant after that, but did use an elliptical this morning, which was fun...

And so glad to hear about yoga classes - I've taken a few recently and planned to take more.

[CrunchyMama19]

Originally Posted by mellybelly 

I was a pretty avid runner prior to getting pregnant, but I've found myself getting dizzy recently. Anyone else? To be fair, I also just moved my running indoors (to a treadmill, which I haven't used for a LOOOOOONG time), so maybe it's just because I'm trying to focus on the TV (individual TV on the treadmill) while bouncing up and down? Anyway, I've been reluctant after that, but did use an elliptical this morning, which was fun...
And so glad to hear about yoga classes - I've taken a few recently and planned to take more.

Even when I am not pregnant, a treadmill will make me dizzy if I haven't used it in awhile. I was actually peaking in training for my first 50K then we got our surprise #3. I am not going to do the 50K now but I am still trying to run some. Most runs though are making me feel a little queasy but not too bad. I have never ran through a pregnancy before because the first trimester wipes me out so bad but I REALLY want to try this time to keep running even if it's lower mileage.

[my kidlets and me]

50K?  Wow, that is amazing!

[mellybelly]

I'm with you, CruncyMama!  I'm also expecting #3 and also have not been able to run through my prior 2 pregnancies since the first tri wiped me out SO MUCH.  Good luck to both of us.  My goal is to make it through a 5K in late May/early June and then be ready again for a 5K in October and November.  I usually run 5Ks in late May/early June, July, October (Halloween!), and November (Thanksgiving).  I'm hoping to do all but the July one next year (I'll be like 37 weeks at that point and that one is out of town to a place that we usually visit at that time of year, but I don't know that we'll make the 7 hour drive this time around...  but maybe...)

Good luck!!!

[CrunchyMama19]

Originally Posted by my kidlets and me 

50K?  Wow, that is amazing!

Thanks, it's taken me a long time to get to this point. Of course, it seems everytime I reach a new peak in training (either distance or speed), DH knocks me up!