weight training while pregnant

[pepnchar]

Hi there ladies!
I know I should be educated about this -- I've been a certified instructor for 10 years... but now it's my body we're talking about, and I have questions...
I'm still early in my 1st trimester -- so I haven't done much to modify my weight training routine. I'm still lifting barbells over my head to do squats, lunges, etc. I'm still doing deadlifts and bench presses lying flat on my back (on a bench).
So, I see many of you keep Cathe strength workouts in your routations through 2nd and 3rd trimester -- how do you ladies modify your workouts? Are you still lifting barbells above your head? How are you modifying your ab workouts?
Mom's-to-be; I need your secrets! I don't want to give up my strength routine!

 

[shopaholic]

Congrats on your pregnancy. I am the mother of a 6 week old daughter. I exercised with weights including the day I gave birth. I continued to lift weights over my head, I did decrease poundage. For example for military presses I went from 20 lbs to 12 pounds or 18 pounds depending on the tape in my last trimester. After the 4th month I either did abs standing up or modified so I wasn't suppine, often doing standard sit ups, but not having upper body/abs reach the ground. Gay Gasper's tape step and strike (from cia two jammin workouts) showed real challenging pregnancy modifications for abs. I also did chest work with bench on an incline. Another modification I made was frequently using using hand weights by side instead of barbell on shoulders for lower body. Hope this helps.

 

[sara33]

Hi pepnchar! I am also a certified trainer but I was concerned as well when it came to what is actually okay and not okay for me! I just asked my doctor about all of the questions that you brought up about a week ago. I was told that the main reason for modification with overhead exercises dealt with balance issues. I just started my 2nd trimester so I haven't had to modify just yet, but I figure that I will modify as I go based on how I feel that day.
Ab work is confusing! I have heard so many different time frames for being allowed to lie on your back. The recommended guidelines vary from 12-20 weeks as far as discontinuing lying on your back. When I asked my doctor, she said that if you feel light headed when on your back, it is time to stop. I know that a few mom's to be continued throughout their pregnancies doing stuff "normal" and never experience any problems.
It is funny because with my first pregnancy, I did all of the conservative modifications because I was nervous! This time around, I am just modifying based on how I feel. Just listen to your body and your doctor, of course!!!! I hope that this helps a little bit! We all kind-of learn as we go! Good luck to you and have fun!!

 

[pepnchar]

Thanks for the advice ladies... I'm trying to convince my DH that I don't have to stop EVERYTHING because I'm pregnant. I come out of my workout room nice and sweaty and he's freaking out! But he's slowly coming around... we've been reading the pregnancy books, and all of them talk about how important regular exercise is. But it might take some extra convincing to get him on board the weight training bandwagon.
Keep up the advice, ladies! I'm showing him this thread! ;-)