Working Out in the 1st Trimester

Clynn82au

Afternoon ladies,

I'm 5w5d and don't have my first U/S with my RE for another 12 days.  I was wondering what your Dr.s say about working out in the first trimester?  Everything I'm reading says working is good not only for you but for the baby but the nurse at my RE said she doesn't think I should do anything but walk, at least not until after the first U/S.  She said I should never run while pregnant and only do light exercises.  I feel like a lot of my friends ran/biked all the way until the end of their pregnancies but I can't ask them since we haven't told anyone yet.

I don't get to see my OB for another month and am dying to do something active.

Thanks for any input!

HeatherHam10

I waited until my first u/s to really get back into it but then started biking and elliptical. My RE was completely fine with me doing those things. They even told me I could start jogging and zumba again if I feel comfortable.

CameraBug131

The nurse at my RE said ti want until after the first ultrasound. After my first ultrasound the doctor said I could walk, jog, etc. 

I thought this book was helpful. It, and the doctor, said to keep heart rate under 130.

https://www.amazon.com/Fit-Healthy-Pregnancy-Strong-Shape/dp/1934030961/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1392594900&sr=8-1&keywords=working+out+in+pregnancy

jkayb123

My RE also says no exercise until first U/S, doesn't even want me walking on treadmill.  First u/s is Tuesday and I can't wait (for alot of reasons!!), but I've never gone this long without exercise.  

anations

So much different advice. I would look up the American college of obstetrics and gynecology's official stance. My RE didn't want me running for like 8-10 weeks, but I dont see this advice with their official stance. I followed just to be extra careful. Anything you did before you can do during, with the exception of the chance of falling (I stuck to stationary bike once in second tri), I tried to return to jogging (again, I've read it is ok if it is a form of ex you are used to), but too painful in lower abdomen. Your body will definitely give you good feedback. Also avoid overheating and dehydrating. I just don't workout as frequently (too sick and tired anyway) or as hard. Our bodies will give us feedback. Just listen:) good luck with everything. I personally look forward to returning to my workouts, but I'm accepting of my limitations. Just know, too that we are all different. I had another pregnancy where running was fine and I felt great. Just depends.

olenkapdx

It's probably a little different for everybody, so a good idea to consult with your dr.  For me, I was told not to do any running or anything super high impact.  I already have arthritis so those activities have been off the table for years anyway. 

In my first trimester I did some light hiking at first (it was summer then), then morning sickness and fatigue knocked me down from weeks 6-12 and I didn't do much except take walks at lunch time.  I picked up with more activity (elliptical, brisk walking on treadmill, water aerobics, swimming) in the 2nd trimester. 

ang2016

I was told it was fine.  But I was terrified.  I finally got back to the gym last week but I've just been swimming laps because I feel like it's safer to not be bouning around?  I know that's crazy but I can't help it!  My gym also has a walking pool where you walk against the current so I do that and I even went to water aerobics last week! 

marnief

Some of the stricter guidelines are because of IF treatment. I was on restriction until 8 weeks - no sex or high- impact or yoga/pilates/twisty motions because my RE was watching my cysts (leftover follies) to be sure they didn't rupture. So, ask your doc not just WHAT you can/can't do but also WHY, and that might make it easier to follow instructions

Clynn82au

Awesome, thanks for everyone's thoughts/experience. Its so hard because all my friends who got pg naturally didn't have all these restrictions but I understand why we have them.
Guess I'll stick the couch for another few weeks

LSN8308

I made sure to step up my workouts before I started this last IVF cycle just from past experiences. I produce a lot more eggs so im more likely to have OHSS and thats not comfy as well as worrying about ovarian torsion so I literally stopped doing any form of exercise at around day 5 of stims. I was going to lightly get back in the swing of things after the first u/s but then had the possibility of twins/triplets thing come up and then at 7 weeks had an SCH which RE told me no sex or exercise until that clears up and ever since I got the all clear at 9 weeks ive still been too scared lol.

I think ill wait until my NT scan next week then buy a beginners pregnancy yoga dvd. And then hopefully incorporate light walks once spring rolls around

auntjessy

After our first u/s, when we saw heartbeats, my OB told me to get as much activity and (light to moderate) exercise in as possible before the middle of the 2nd tri - because that's when they'd really start limiting my activity.  Unfortunately, I had all-day horrible morning sickness up until halfway through the 2nd tri, so not much activity then, and now (at 28 weeks with twins) I can hardly move and am in a lot of pain.  I'm supposed to rest and keep my feet up now, anyway - but I think if I'd been able to do more early on (maybe prenatal yoga or something) that I'd feel a lot better now.  

Also - Congrats!!!  

Mnerani

It's interesting how there are no "hard and fast" rules about exercise, and some docs are more conservative than others.

I worked out like crazy with my first pregnancy. I was doing everything imaginable, as long as it didn't involve lying on my back for long, lying on my stomach, or high speeds/impact. I found that staying in really good shape and keeping my muscles strong was really, really beneficial in keeping my energy and stamina up throughout the pregnancy. I was tearing up the dance floor at a Halloween party at 36 weeks, and I never felt better

I'd say your best bet is to ask your doc before trying anything new, but you'll definitely feel better in your 2nd and 3rd tri's, if you've kept up some sort of exercise routine.