Pre-pregnancy preparation advice?

[HollyCat]

Hi everyone,

First I just wanted to say that I am a fairly recent Cathe fan; a couple of months ago I bought BodyMax and have followed up with MIS, MIC, Cardio Kicks, Power Hour, Circuit Max, and the Wedding Video. I love them all, and am especially amused by the Wedding Video because I'm getting married in 4 months and 3 days! Cathe, if you read this, you are so funny in that video!

Which leads me to my question, we will probably try to conceive shortly after getting married, and I was wondering if there's anything special fitness-wise that I should be doing to prepare. In other words, for all you ladies who have been pregnant before, is there anything that you would have done differently or did do in the months before trying to conceive that made the pregnancy go better (or anything that you did not do, for that matter).

I am so excited about our upcoming wedding, and after that, hopefully being an active member of the FitMoms forum!

Thanks everyone and hope you are all well,
Holly

 

[Michelle in So Cal]

Hi Holly! Congrats on your impending nuptials! How exciting!

Before I got preg, I had a pre-preg physical to alleviate any concerns and get the go-ahead from my doc. I also worked at adding a lot of folate to my diet (lots of OJ, dark-green leafies, and Luna bars... yum!). I also started my prenatal vitamins.

As far as conditioning, I just did my best to get in 5-6 workouts a week and maintain a nutritionally-sound eating plan. Enjoy all the abs you can do, b/c after 4 months, supine abs are out! I miss them (never thought I'd say that! LOL!).

Also, if you haven't already, develop a huge water habit; I really maintained my water intake at 1 gallon + before my preg, and I still strive to that level each day. I think the hydration is what keeps me swelling to an almost non-existent level (only feel it in my hands at times, whereas during my first preg, my ankles and feet were ALWAYS swollen and ALWAYS tired and achy! They never are now...).

Good luck, and keep us posted.

Michelle in So Cal
due 1/6/02

 

[Cathe Friedrich]

Hi Holly! There really is no pre-pregnancy workout planner. Just continue to workout the same way that you are now. I would say that a couple of months before you are actually trying it would be important to get your pre-natal vitamins as well as an additional folic acid supplement in ( if your pre-natal doesn't already have the minimum folic acid requirement in it). But above and beyond all advice you receive, please check with your obgyn first. Much luck and happiness to you.

 

[HollyCat]

Thanks Michelle and Cathe. I guess the theme would be folate, folate, folate! See, I want to get in the best shape possible before I get pregnant because I have the sneaking suspicion that I may not be able to do anything more strenuous than walking during my pregnancy due to a recent cone biopsy and potential for an incompetent cervix. So I guess I'd better keep at the workouts while I still can.

Hope you all are happy and healthy and I'll hopefully be joining you as a future Mom early next year!

Holly

 

[Michelle in So Cal]

RE: Pre-pregnancy preparation advice? to Holly

<<I have the sneaking suspicion that I may not be able to do anything more strenuous than walking during my pregnancy due to a recent cone biopsy and potential for an incompetent cervix. So I guess I'd better keep at the workouts while I still can.>>

That's a very good game plan, then. I can understand how that could be a little frightening. Hey, even if you can't do a lot of impact, maybe you can do seated upper body work? You'll have the best UB in the maternity ward!

Good luck!

Michelle in So Cal
due 1/6/02