Maintaining current level of fitness through pregnancy

[shannoncorrin]

Hello, I posted this on the pregnancy board last week, but that board gets very little traffic, so I thought this would be the next best place.

I'm in the middle of the 3 month undulating rotation which I'm following loosely. I'm about 6 weeks along. I lost my first pregnancy after 8 weeks, so I'm trying to be very cautious. Before my loss, my OB said not to lift more than about 35 lbs and to keep everything low impact, but I don't think she was aware that I typically lift more than this. I was always under the assumption that if your body was used to it, and you felt you were okay, you were probably fine. I don't want to stop x train, but I don't want to do anything stupid either.

Basically I want to maintain my current level of fitness through this pregnancy, I'm not looking to make any gains. I'm thinking of keeping my weights the same, not trying to increase them. I'm probably going to switch to mostly low impact, though I'm afraid I'm going to loose some of my cardio capabilities.

 

[momto4]

I have 4 kids, and continued to work out through them all, even running a marathon at 14 weeks with my last child. I think if your body is used to it then it's fine. The one thing I did avoid was laying flat on my back after the first trimester. I just listened to my body, if it felt like I was working a little too hard, I'd back off a bit. I think it's wise not to try to increase your fitness level during this time, but as far as maintaining your fitness level, you should be fine. BTW, I had 2 miscarriages, and neither of those were "caused" by continuing to workout.
Good luck, and congratulations!

 

[jdimascio]

I agree with momto4...I did the same with all four of my pregnancies, as well as my one miscarriage. Doctors aren't usually aware of your current fitness level and typically give everyone the same advise. I ran, lifted through all of my pregnancies, but listened to my body. Obviously the closer I got to delivering the less I was doing, but I was still active until the last day for all of them.

 

[melimcn]

Ditto.
Worked out to the very end with both of my kids...at the same intensity for the most part.
I did the High Step Challenge (a favorite) the week I delivered my second.

Modify where you need to. Stop if it doesn't feel good. Basic rules of thumb.

Doctors know very little about how fitness impacts pregnancy. All they do know is that delivery and recovery are easier if mom is fit the entire time.

And for the miscarriage...short of trauma to your abdomen...it's going to happen becuase there is a genetic defect with the fetus. You can't "cause" it from working out.
I'm sorry you went through that.

 

[Shantabulous]

Unless your miscarriage was due to an incompetent cervix, working out should not have any effect on your pregnancy, except to make labor easier

With my oldest, I had severe ms till week 14, but I as soon as I could, I got back on the workout wagon. I actually worked out the morning before I delivered. I had worked out for the last 2 weeks straight trying to get labor going, LOL.

Unfortunately with my second and last pregnancy, carrying triplets made working out a bit difficult. My doctor said that if I felt up to it, I definitely could. I NEVER felt up to it. Vomited everyday including the day I delivered.

So, in summary, listen to your body and do what feels best.

 

[maddiesmum]

Please be realistic.

You are correct to not strive to make fitness gains. You will lose some of your current capabilities, and this is natural, because there will come a time when the needs of the pregnancy and your own health override your mind's desire to remain super-fit while you are growing tiny humans.

I too remained active throughout my pregnancies, but with both I encountered this moment: either 9 months of "morning" sickness took their toll, or I just got too large, too ungainly, the centre of gravity changes and you are constantly re-adjusting, back aches come in and you can just about roll yourself out of bed, legs and ankles swell, etc, etc. I could no longer do step, so I walked. I couldn't run, so I swam. I remained healthy and didn't put either my or my child's health at risk. I was happy.

Carry on and remain active, but be prepared to slowly and incrementally adjust down your expectations of yourself physically during this time. Running a marathon during this time is the exception, rather than the rule. You do not yet know how this pregnancy will progress.

You will be able to rapidly re-gain lost fitness after the baby is launched. Pregnancy is a special time, allow yourself to feel it, wallow in it, and enjoy it too!

Clare