placenta issue

[lovetostep]

I have never posted before but I have been lurking forever. I am 18 weeks pregnant and just went for a level 2 ultrasound today (I am 40 years old). We were thrilled to hear that things look great but then the doctor said my placenta is lying over my cervix. She said this is common and in most cases will have moved by our next ultrasound which is in 4 weeks. However, then she said that I should not do strenous exercise (walking is all she approved) until the situation improves! Yikes! I have been working out with Cathe since Mega Step Blast and I did step with both my other boys up to their deliveries! Has anyone else been in this situation? How did you handle it? I appreciate any information or suggestions.

 

[star_dust]

Never been in this situation, but as there are no other posters yet, I will share what I have read...I think that placenta previa is something to be cautious about - and I would personally follow your dr's advice in this area. The placenta often does move up higher, but when it is down low it can cause bleeding and premature delivery. I would consult Dr Clapp's book "Exericising through Pregnancy" and/or Birgitta Gallo's "Expecting Fitness" about this. I think Gallo's book has recommendations on specific modifications related to placenta previa - but I may be wrong.

 

[MARY1616]

I too had placenta previa. i only did light walking until my 24 week sono which revealed that the placenta moved out of the way. it was so difficult to cut back on my workouts but after it moved i resumed workouts again. hth!!

 

[lovetostep]

Thank you both very much for responding. I am going to be careful and just walk until my next ultrasound, and hope for the best. I have both the Clapp and Gallo books, and the Gallo does give a bunch of exercises to do if you are confined to bed rest---I am so praying that I won't need to be using those! And I have pre-ordered the new DVDs so whatever happens I am counting on those to whip me back into shape after the baby is born!

 

[FiddleFit]

Hi,

I was confined to bedrest for 9 weeks with my pregnancy a year ago (different reason than placenta previa). When the doctor let me get out of bed, I was around 22 weeks along. I picked up exercise again immediately, but did so by doing Cathe's beginner stuff (Basic Step, Body Fusion) and modifying her more advanced stuff. It only took a week or two to get back to feeling in the groove, and I was able to increase the intensity quite a bit. I never matched the point I was at before the bedrest, but given that I was so far along in the pregnancy, I didn't expect to. I exercised 6 days a week until the day Baby was born. The 9 weeks of inactivity quickly became a distant memory. My point is, don't stress too much about not exercising, if that's what needs to be done. However long you spend in bed, it is a very, very short time in your life, and for a very good cause.

Good luck!
Sandra

 

[lovetostep]

I appreciate your post--it makes a lot of sense! I am feeling much more confident that everything will work out--thank you!