Sheila -Placenta Previa & exercise?

tricia

tricia

Cathlete
Hello all,

Well, guess what? One of the twin's placenta is covering my cervix-it's called Placenta previa. My doctor told me that this means if I experience any bleeding I am to call them right away (as if I wouldn't at this stage!!) I am 23 weeks along now.

The question I have is, do I have to tone down my exercise? Is yoga and Pilates still ok if cardio is too much? I have just started to have the motivation to get more regular about my workouts -they've been sporadic up until now. I did notice the other day while doing step (Gay Gasper's Step 'n Strike w/pregnancy modifications) that my hip flexors were uncomfortable. I think it was due more to the repetetive nature of this workout than anything, but I cut it short to be safe.

Sometimes when I'm walking at the park, my stomach will get a very tight or heavy feeling and I have to slow way down. (Not that I'm breaking anyone's personal best, either!!) I feel this is just a normal feeling due to the bigger belly, but I want to take every precaution. (I'm trying to avoid bedrest like the plague -I have a 2 year old to care for, after all.)

I'm hoping someone here has dealt with this and can give me some insight. Or if Sheila reads this, she can give me some guidelines regarding my workouts.

TTYL,
Tricia
 
Hi Tricia! I'm going to jump in here while we wait for Sheila...I'm a Healthy Moms certified instructor and mother of one (DOB 9/14/02). Placenta previa is one of the ABSOLUTE contraindications for exercise during pregnancy. Consult with your doctor but we'd expect your exercise to cease unless your medical profession recommends otherwise. I know this seems a little rough being that you're only 23 weeks, but in the long run you and your babies will be much better for it.

Hope this helps and I wish you a safe and healthy pregnancy!

jeni
 
Jeni,

Thanks so much for the response. Your baby and mine are only about a month apart (Isabella was born 10/10/02)! So you know what I'm dealing with - a bustling bundle of energy!!

When I spoke to my doctor, I asked if I could continue to walk and do my yoga/pilates. He said that would be fine, just pay attention to how I'm feeling. Do you agree that this would be ok? I have some very gentle pilates workouts (Prenatal Pilates with Sarah Picot and Pilates Fusion for Pregnancy with Jennifer Gianni). I haven't done these in the past week because I haven't had time. I would really like to hear if you think it is ok to continue using these, or if I should just stop any and all workouts. (I sometimes feel that doctors just don't realize or take into account the level of workouts that I am used to doing and enjoy. I imagine they are thinking more along the lines of Denise Austin, not Cathe Friedrich!!)

You're input is truly appreciated!! I know I'm doing plenty by growing two healthy babies, even if I can't work out until after they get here.

Tricia
 
Hi Tricia,

I can't believe that I missed this post. Sorry for the delay. Tammy did a wonderful job answering your question. I would just like to add my "two cents." You are probably about 25 weeks right now if I am calculating right. Here is what the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) says about exercising with placenta previa. The guideline released in 2004 says that "Placenta previa after 26 weeks of pregnancy is an absolute contraindication to exercise." If the placenta is going to migrate up, it has usually done it by 26 weeks. That is why they changed the guideline in 2004. It used to be placenta previa in general was an absolute contraindication. This guideline was meant for all pregnant women, regardless of fitness level.

Did your caregiver tell you what type of placenta previa you were experiencing? Did he or she say that it was marginal (i.e. partially covering the cervix) or total (i.e. completely convering the cervix). That could have an impact on your exercise prescription.

Of course I am not a doctor. I do appreciate the fact that you realize that growing those two babies is a lot of work in itself. This pregnancy is just a season in your life and you will be able to get back to those intense Cathe workouts after you have both those babies in your arms. You also mentioned that your hip flexors had been bothered by stepping. In my opinion, I would discontinue the stepping and concentrate on your prenatal yoga and pilates right now. Due to the anatomical changes of pregnancy, your hip flexors are tight during pregnancy anyway. Make sure that you stretch out those hip flexors very well. Again, they are naturally tight during pregnancy. Also, any cramping or bleeding should be referred to your caregiver immediately. The concern with placenta previa is the placenta tearing away from the implantation site. This would definitely not be good, especially with you having not one baby in there, but two. (How fun.... I've always wondered what it would be like to be carrying twins.... so neat!)

Keep us posted and again I apologize for not answering sooner.

Good luck,

Sheila

Sheila S. Watkins, MLSci.
Founder and National Program Director
Healthy Moms(R) Fitness
www.healthymomsfitness.com and www.healthymomsnc.com
 
Sheila,

Thanks so much for getting back to me on this. I believe the Perinatologist said that the placenta is completely covering the cervix right now. She did tell me that it is after 26 weeks that we will be more concerned with it, and that it may adjust on it's own. So for now, I'm just going to do the gentle workouts that I have until my next check-up.

Another thing I have experienced just recently was a pain in my leg, starting in my lower back. I woke up with this and actually had to try to sleep while propped in a sitting position to make it go away. Isn't this due to my sciatic nerve? Can you tell me any remedies for this particular discomfort? I visited a chiropractor during my first pregnancy, but haven't yet felt the need with this one. I'm wondering if I should start back soon...

Thank you again for your response, I am very excited to be carrying these two little ones. I'll keep you posted on our progress!!



Tricia
 
Update - No more placenta previa!

Hello all,

I wanted to let you girls know that I had my follow-up ultrasound last week and the placenta of Baby A is no longer covering my cervix!
(They told me it may correct itself, and I am glad it did!!)
So I guess I can try to get back to my program. I really stopped working out because I didn't want to do anything that might cause a problem. Now I'm going to ease back into it - I walked a mile Sunday and I was huffing pretty good! The other good news at my checkup was that the baby boy is weighing in around 2lbs 14 oz, and the girl is at 2lbs 7 oz. That puts the boy at about a 29 week baby's weight, and the girl at 27 1/2 week weight. I heard a few remarks of "He is a big boy"! I was 27 weeks at the time, so that made my day. I'm still not gaining alot, but my mind is at ease that the baby's are.

Just wanted to give an update and say thanks again for the support and well wishes!

Tricia

EDD: Jan. 1/21/05
 
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