Exercise Whilst Pregnant

I have just had a read of this and am shocked that some women react in such a way to pregnant women exercising. It also reminded me of a situation last week when a friend of mine mentioned on FB that she was at the gym after a tough spin class (she is 5 months pregnant). I couldn't believe the number of women 'friends' that she has who started to slate her and have a go about her overdoing it, it was really quite surprising. Everyone seemed to think she was doing something terrible but she was following a pretty tough fitness regime before she was pregnant and in fairness has toned it down a little.

I still go swimming 3 times a week and have my pilates class on a Wednesday, I have no intention of stopping it but after seeing so much negativity, I'm starting to worry how people will react to me! I've had a lot of spotting recently and after just speaking to my mother (and telling her it was a little worse today) the first thing she suggested is the exercise might need to stop- as if she thinks that's what has caused the bleeding?!

Do/did you exercise during pregnancy? 

I was told by my GP to continue to do the same level of exercise that I did before and that is exactly what I intend to do. I don't do classes or anything but H and I regularly go on long walks and I will do so as long as I can do. 

My friend goes swimming a lot and is continuing to do so too as it's what her body is used to, what your body is used to it what you need to do throughout pregnancy within reason, as the shock of a big change to your system is more harmful to the pregnancy I believe.

Mb xx

I think as long as you aren't doing anything different to what you usually do you are fine.

I went to the gym at least 3 times a week all the way through my pregnancy and when I went on ML at 31 weeks I would go 5 times a week and was there the day before J was born.  I ran up until 6 months then it got too hard and awkward. 

I'd just carry on the way that you are lovely. Aslong as you are feeling up to it in yourself, then it wont do you any harm. It will probably be good for you doing some anyway. Life doesnt stop when y9ou get pregnant, some people i know go on bedrest! You have to keep yourself going. Suppose some people dont understand that tho.

x

Ive asked a similar question on ttc this week after taking up Zumba I'm sure I read somewhere if you are a runner to take it a bit easier in the first tri but whether that was because it is high impact or I read it in something like runners world I don't know with Pilates and yoga there are some positions to avoid at certain times of the month so maybe in pregnancy your teacher might suggest doing things differently but that doesn't mean stop. I saw Paula Radcliffe run a 10k at 6 months pregnant and she looked fab!

Not sure whether that helps-on my phone and can't re-read it

Hope the spotting stopsRachel x

I was also told as long as its nothing new its fine, I teach dance and was still doing quite acrobatic movements, although I didn't really get to having a bump stage.  I was told at the gym to try to keep heart rate below 140.

I was advised to keep my heartbeat at a certain percentage of maximum - can't remember what the percentage was but it meant I had to keep heartbeat at below 136 - I really struggled with this as I was used to training at a much higher level and found keeping it below 136 incredibly boring so gave up after 1st trimester. 

I spoke to my MW about this as I am a regular gym goer, plus we have an allotment.

Her advice was as long as you don't do anything new or increase intensity then excercising is fine, obviously after a certain point have to stop any excerise that involves lying flat on back for prolonged periods of time, and my trainer had me switch from sit ups on the floor to using an excercise ball.

MW also said that the bigger you get then consider decreasing the intensity of the workout, so if doing cardio then should only just be breathless and still able to have a conversation, so for example I had to change my routine on the cross trainer etc (I can no longer do 20 odd min on the hardest level). If doing a class tone done the jumping and if using weights obviously be carefull how heavy a weight you lift.

Her final bit of advice wa if you don't feel well or feel uncomfortable then stop.

I have had no negative comments at the gym but I am often there udring quiet times howevre MIL thinks I should stop (she doesn't say so directly just little things liek you don't need to do that now, i am just putting it down to concern and carrying on anyway).

When I was pregnant with my daughter I exercised all the way through my pregnancy and had a Personal Trainer who had qualifications in training pregnant women. I went to the gym on my due date and walked to the hospital when I was in labour.

Due to my last pregnancy being high risk I stopped going to the gym at 6 weeks but I walk as part of my job so continued to walk for 3 hours a day (roughly) until I left work at 30 weeks.

I never had any negative comments in the gym, only positive ones. And all the muscle men let me use the equipment before them

I read this and I must admit, I can't get my head around being able to go for a jog at 39 weeks pregnant

I think exercising is fine as long as you are fit before you fall pregnant and there is no link to the bleeding. I rode my horse during pregnancy, for example, but I wouldn't have taken it up as a new hobby. If you are bleeding after exercise, or any previous bleeding increases, then absolutely I would stop. Why take the risk? The body is a clever thing and tells you when things are getting too much, we just have to make sure we listen.

I carried on going to the gym 4 times a week until i was around 6 months pregnant.  I only stopped then as my nan was taken in to hospital and as I was her only local family during the week I was exhausted going to the gym early in the morning, working all day and then visiting her every evening.  She passed away 3 weeks later but I decided not to return to the gym as I was too tired.

I didn't do any weights, just carried on with the same intensity of cardio I had done before falling pregnant.  I thankfully didn't get any comments except positive ones, but it was a small gym and I saw the same people every time I went.

I think as long as you're sensible - don't push yourself, don't do things your body isn't used to and stop if you're in pain, discomfort or something doesn't feel right then I don't see a problem

I was / am a jogger.  I did a half marathon and regularly 10K races.  however, I had spotting at 5 weeks so didnt go running as was worried.  Ive been for one run and afterwards I had bad period type cramps so Im not going again. 

Everyone is different though.  Just listen to your body.