Question for the pregnant ladies or those who have been...

JoNi2010 · April 2012

I am in my early 30s and currently going into my second trimester. All my life, I've been very active - playing sports, running, high impact aerobics, etc. For the last year, I did not join a regular gym so I've basically been running, doing circuit training DVDs at home, and rock-climbing/bouldering at the local rock gym.

Due to my crazy work schedule I have appointments with a midwife, which is fine. But she told me to stop rock-climbing (understood) AND ALL high impact activities, including running. She also told me to stop Pilates (which I love doing at home).

I feel like I would be so lost without my running or circuit training or PIlates. I've definitely been taking it down a notch since I feel myself fatiguing more, but to completely stop it? And Pilates - I figured I'd just modifiy?

I know there are pregnant women here who continue to work out - are you guys still running or doing high impact stuff or doing Pilates?

Brie2010 · April 2012

I would ask her why she recommends that. ACOG lifted the stupid "keep your HR under 140" recommendation back in the 90s. Is it something about your particular situation, or just an across-the-board ban for everyone?

I can sort of understand the ban on Pilates, because aren't you flat on your back for a lot of it? That makes sense, because laying on your back can disrupt blood flow to the ute.

However, if you've been doing high-impact exercise before, and are healthy otherwise, there's no reason to stop it unless it's medically indicated. I have been CrossFitting consistently with appropriate modifications and have no plans to stop until my doctor or body gives me a good reason it.

I would call and ask for clarification.

hikerbeth · April 2012

I wouldn't quit any of your activities, including rock climbing (as long as you don't push your limits and climb with people that you know and trust).

I kept teaching group fitness until a week past my due date (bodypump and bodycombat) including doing abs and such. I also hiked, snowshoed, and downhill skied all the way through.

I would have gone crazy without activity for that long!!

Brit's Luna154 · April 2012

hikerbeth:

I wouldn't quit any of your activities, including rock climbing (as long as you don't push your limits and climb with people that you know and trust).

I kept teaching group fitness until a week past my due date (bodypump and bodycombat) including doing abs and such. I also hiked, snowshoed, and downhill skied all the way through.

I would have gone crazy without activity for that long!!

I would be concerned about the harness after I started to show. I'm not a doctor, but mine thought it was a good idea to avoid things like climbing, snowboarding, and mountain biking after I began to show; basically anything where I was likely to squash or fall on my stomach. My doctor thought it was fine for me to continue other activities such as running and spinning.

hikerbeth · April 2012

Brit's Luna154:
hikerbeth:

I wouldn't quit any of your activities, including rock climbing (as long as you don't push your limits and climb with people that you know and trust).

I kept teaching group fitness until a week past my due date (bodypump and bodycombat) including doing abs and such. I also hiked, snowshoed, and downhill skied all the way through.

I would have gone crazy without activity for that long!!

I would be concerned about the harness after I started to show. I'm not a doctor, but mine thought it was a good idea to avoid things like climbing, snowboarding, and mountain biking after I began to show; basically anything where I was likely to squash or fall on my stomach. My doctor thought it was fine for me to continue other activities such as running and spinning.

They do make a chest harness that is appropriate for pregnant women if you care to climb through your pregnancy

My doctor encouraged me to keep doing all my activities. . . so you should definitely talk to your doctor regarding your own, individual situation.

historychick79 · April 2012

I was told to stop abdominal workouts while pregnant, so I stopped Pilates and yoga poses that used the core a lot. And you are supposed to discontinue poses that involve twists and lying on your back to avoid pressure on the one aorta that supplies blood and nutrients to the fetus, especially as the baby grows and weighs more. Maybe if you researched Pilates instructors that have experience working with pregnant women about modifications or contraindications? I've never heard of a dr discouraging running or training if you were having no complications and it was activity you were already involved with prior to your pregnancy.

MrsStubbs · April 2012

I ran until 2weeks before I had my son. I did slow down a little bit but had some of my best runs while pg.

JoNi2010 · April 2012

hikerbeth:

I would have gone crazy without activity for that long!!

This is my feeling exactly. Like I said, I could not get in with an actual OB doc, but I see a midwife and I think she is just being extra cautious. I've asked her many questions, but she only gives me generalized answers. And everything has been fine with me so far.

But thanks for all your input. I am considering getting a special harness because I am addicted to climbing.

BAMFMrsB · April 2012

JoNi2010:

Due to my crazy work schedule I have appointments with a midwife, which is fine. But she told me to stop rock-climbing (understood) AND ALL high impact activities, including running. She also told me to stop Pilates (which I love doing at home).

I feel like I would be so lost without my running or circuit training or PIlates. I've definitely been taking it down a notch since I feel myself fatiguing more, but to completely stop it? And Pilates - I figured I'd just modifiy?

I know there are pregnant women here who continue to work out - are you guys still running or doing high impact stuff or doing Pilates?

I'm a little concerned she wants you to quit working out hard. My doc said not to start anything new and no high impact = no P90X. She said if I was doing it before (running, pilates, circuit training, lifting up to a certain amt) I could keep doing so, but not to start something new and difficult. She ok'd pre-natal yoga and said I could walk/jog, no problem. I didn't run before pg, so I wasn't about to start, but my doc is fine with runners keeping up their programs if they already have one pre-pg. My doc also said she's be fine if I lost a bit of weight during the pg or didn't gain at all if my baby is doing well. I'm toeing the obese BMI line, pre-pg, so I have the weight to spare. I lost 10# in the 1st tri and have slowly gained it back, but I am still negative in weight.

tracyd21 · April 2012

I am almost 20 weeks and I had to stop running (shortness of breath), but I'm still doing pilates with modifications. I stopped going to one class because the instructor wasn't great about modifying exercises for me, but my other instructor is awesome about it. It gets harder each week as I get bigger, but I still can do pretty much everything modified. My doctor said lying on my back is okay as long as I don't become short of breath - and my body would tell me when to stop. Anytime we do a series on our backs, I just take breaks and roll to my side for a minute so I'm not on my back for extended periods of time. And any exercises that are supposed to be done on your stomach - my instructor has me do a modified version on my side.

I am going to order 10-Minute Prenatal Pilates DVD this week just so I can do more on my own. My friend is an instructor and this is the video her boss recommended to her when she was pregnant.

kirkette · April 2012

The only thing my OB told me to stop was running at about 25 weeks. I kept everything else up (lifting,modified pilates, yoga, aerobics, etc.) until I delivered at 39 weeks.

kimsy · April 2012

I worked out pretty hard (worked out with a trainer, did Body Combat and Turbo Kick) until two days before I delivered. I watched for signs that I was overdoing it, but I never had to stop. Felt great, and easing back into it post C-section has been a lot easier because I kept up my routine. I agree that you should ask your doctor why she feels that way--she may just not understand how active you are.

karebear219 · April 2012

I agree with PP, ask her why.

I ran until 20 weeks. Worked out four days a week doing elliptical and strength trainging. My routine didn't change much besides dropping a day from my weekly work out (I just felt too tired).

kristen8040 · April 2012

Not trying to hijack the thread, but how did working out go for you guys in the first tri? Running has been literally nonexistent, pretty much no motivation and I'm still a little worried about my intensity since I haven't seen the doctor yet (appt. next week.) Just wondering if it was normal to take off a few weeks and get back into it when the M/S and exhaustion has gone away?

rxbeth · April 2012

I agree that I would be questioning WHY she is telling you to stop these activities.

I've always been very active and my OB has been very encouraging of my continued running during pregnancy. We talk about it at almost every appointment to see how I'm doing and I've just had to learn my limits and slow down. As a consequence of slowing down, my mileage has tanked because I just don't have the time to get it in. lol

Just last Thursday I had an appointment at 38w2d and I ran 3.5 miles and walked 1 before I went to see the OB. It definitely is possible to keep up with running during pregnancy if you have appropriate expectiations and listent to your body. I think I'm done running now since I'm having some early/false labour (no clue which) but I'm kind of tempted to toss some quick 30 sec intervals into my walk this morning in an attempt to run this baby out!

daisysle · April 2012

I am currently 31+ weeks and still running. Saturday I ran close to 12 miles. I try to lift 3x's a week, use the AMT and/or elliptical and have been trying to maintain 25-35 miles a week running.

I'd ask why she told you to stop all high impact activities. My doctor told me it's fine as long as I listen to my body, make sure I run at a conversation pace and to only stop if I spot or bleed.

starlily313 · April 2012

I did reformer pilates/wunda chair/cadillac/TRX until the day I delivered. My studio would have kicked me out at 37 weeks, but I delivered a little bit earlier than that.

I did have to make some modifications, mostly concerning moves done while lying on one's back, but my OB thought it was great.

ETA: I took classes with instructors that were experienced in making pregnancy modifications.

Breezy8407 · April 2012

I ran until 21 weeks with twins. I stopped because of slight placenta previa, it was getting really uncomfortable, and started triggering Braxton hicks contractions.

I was still encouraged to walk and swim and was walking 3-4x a week until bed rest 2 weeks ago.

Like others have said, ask why. If you have a shortening cervix or any other issue, then I can see why.

kimsy · April 2012

hikerbeth:
Brit's Luna154:
hikerbeth:

I wouldn't quit any of your activities, including rock climbing (as long as you don't push your limits and climb with people that you know and trust).

I kept teaching group fitness until a week past my due date (bodypump and bodycombat) including doing abs and such. I also hiked, snowshoed, and downhill skied all the way through.

I would have gone crazy without activity for that long!!

I would be concerned about the harness after I started to show. I'm not a doctor, but mine thought it was a good idea to avoid things like climbing, snowboarding, and mountain biking after I began to show; basically anything where I was likely to squash or fall on my stomach. My doctor thought it was fine for me to continue other activities such as running and spinning.

They do make a chest harness that is appropriate for pregnant women if you care to climb through your pregnancy

My doctor encouraged me to keep doing all my activities. . . so you should definitely talk to your doctor regarding your own, individual situation.

Re: the climbing, you can also just boulder laterally if you want to keep that up. The chest harness is great, unless your boobs hurt a lot. But if a chest or waist harness is comfortable, just stay within your comfortable range. I climbed early and just stuck to easier routes that I knew I wouldn't fall on.

kat.in.the.hat · April 2012

I did Pilates until 36 weeks with my 2nd. Regarding laying on your back, your body is going to get very uncomfortable way before it's going to do harm to your baby. So, listen to your body. If it's uncomfortable in a way that feels new to you (not uncomfortable in a oh that's a good workout kind of way) then stop doing it.

Question for the pregnant ladies or those who have been...

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