? for moms who exercised at high intensity over the course of pregnancy

tiffyspiffy1012

Hi Ladies!  I have read that babies born to pregnant women who exercised at high intensity (running, aerobics, etc...most days of the week for an hour or so) tend to deliver a little earlier than pregnant women who are sedentary or exercise only lightly.  In fact, I've read that the average gestation length for babies born to very active women is about 39 weeks 4 days +/- 6 days, due to the fact that the baby receives greater surges of nutrients and blood through a larger, more efficient placenta.  For those of you who exercised at pretty high levels of intensity throughout your pregnancy, when did you actually deliver?  TIA!

july29bride

I ran throughout my entire pregancy pushing a stroller until the day i delivered. ( about 3 miles a day at the end) I delivered at exactly 40 weeks..very easy vaginal delivery with epidural.(2nd baby)

simbaby

I delivered exactly at 40 weeks too. Very easy labor and delivery. I worked out 6x/week - running, spinning, weight training and trained with my trainer.

 

AmandaP678

With my first I was induced at 37 weeks but an easy quick 4 hour vaginal labor. I swam  everyday or used the elliptical and walked a lot.

My second I went into labor on my own and had a 3 hour VERY easy vaginal birth. With my second I ran until 20 weeks and then replaced it with swimming every day until the day I delivered.

sunandsurfmama

I cannot speak for myself yet, as I am 38 weeks.

I am a Group Exercise instructor (cycling, weights, yoga, pilates, aqua, dance fitness, running) and also work with pre and postnatal women as well as the general population.  I find there to be a lot of misinformation out there as to pregnancy and exercise.

In both my training and experience, there has been nothing to suggest that exercise causes women to delivery earlier than women who do not. The benefit of exercise (assuming you are not high risk and have been cleared to do so by your Dr.) are immense. These benefits not only extend to you but your LO as well.

As far as "high intensity", I would need more clarification.

Over exercising/training however,  (both in intensity and duration) can be harmful in the general population and in pregnancy. I see this often in clients with exercise bulimia (pregnant and not) and yes, over exercising in that way could cause you to deliver early, which would not be a good thing and could be harmful to the mom and the baby.

meg211

I did Crossfit, modified as needed to keep my heart rate lower than when not pg, til about 4 months in, then transitioned to Crossfitmom (even more modified) til about 7.5 months in, then switched to more walking and elliptical with squats and light arm weights.  I was a week overdue, but had a fairly easy 7hr L&D as FTM (with epi, 3 stitches).  LO eats like a champ andsleeps decent.  Ive also recoveredgreat, just 2lbs above pre pg weight (not trying to lose, eating like a horse (we eat Paleo diet) but I am BF), althoughI amcertain itsbc I have way less musclenowthan I did 9 months ago.

I highly recommend exercise during pg, if you were activebefore keep it up.  Just listen to your body and reduce intensity as you get further along.  Its more about maintaining strength than doing cardio bombs. 

mrs.mastro

I delivered a perfectly healthy 5lb 11oz boy at 36w6d.  I was in labor for 3.5 hours - super easy and no tear!  I ran my entire pregnancy and actually went for an easy run when my contractions started to make sure they were not Braxton Hicks.  The doctors and nurses said they can always tell when moms are in shape because the deliveries are so much easier.

virginiagirl11

I exercised throughout my pregnancy until 38 weeks, when I was just too friggin uncomfortable.  DS grew straight out in my belly so, while it looked cute, my stomach skin was very stretched and painful by that point.  My pelvis was also very, very sore. I had a very healthy pregnancy, though.  No complications, great blood sugar, great BP, no swelling.

I had no epi and was in active labor for 13 hours, during which I handled the first 8 cm with relative ease, and then pushed for two horribly painful hours that had me screaming and throwing up in a barf bag. DS was 7 lbs, 14.5 oz. and born at 41w1d. I had intermittent monitoring during labor and DS's HR was always awesome.  He never showed any distress and is now a strong, fiesty little baby.

I'd say that pre-pregnancy, I was a high-intensity exerciser.  During first tri, I was very nauseous and weak so exercise was medium-low intensity.  Second tri was great, so it was medium intensity.  Third tri was low intensity.  I would advise pregnant exercisers to put pride aside and seriously listen to their bodies to adjust as necessary.

EllaSmella

I ran up until I delivered. My LO was born at 40w 2d at 7lbs 4 oz. I had a very quick (4 hour) labor.

CurlGurl1

I've been doing high intensity exercise since high school and continued running, spinning and yoga throughout my pregnancy.  During the first tri, I could barely go for a walk because I was too exhausted or sick, but I got back to it during the 2nd tri.  I stopped running at about 35 weeks because of the RLP.  It immediately went away when I stopped running.  I was spinning up until 5 days before I delivered, and did yoga and long walks up until the day I delivered at 39 weeks 2 days.   I had a very smooth L&D and only pushed for 10 minutes (I did get an epi).  I do credit this to being in great physical shape.  Labor is a marathon and you need endurance.  I also credit yoga for the breathing and relaxation techniques that helped me through the labor.  While I don't think the exercise = easy L&D, being in good physical health can only benefit you.  I think the most important thing is to listen to your body and slow down/stop when your body is telling you to. 

virginiagirl11

I agree that being in good health will only benefit you, but I was sorely disappointed when I didn't have the "magical" birth experience that many of the rest of you seemed to.  My DS was not only a week late, but also amazingly painful and slow as hell to push out.  Actually, his arrival and my labor length are well within normal standards for a first-time mom, but I expected to go a bit sooner and faster due to what everyone says about physically fit pregnant moms.  Lesson: have realistic expectations!

seaturtle19

First time around i was 10 days late, 21 hrs of labor but 30 minutes of pushing.  This time around......well here I am on my due date-not dilated and probably will be another 10 days late!  I have worked out 6 days wk until we got down to this last 6 wks when i swim only now several times a week.  it all varies to be honest!!!  GL and hang in there!!!

law8296

yeah---this did not ring true for me because DS was found to be frank breech at my 39 week appointment!! Little bugger!

hokies94

I exercised intensely during all 3 pregnancies. In the last one I ran until 35 weeks. I was induced for all 3 due to bp/preeclampsia issues. I was induced at 39 weeks for the first 2 and 37 weeks for the 3rd. Exercising a lot really helped with delivery and recovery. All of my deliveries were fairly quick. Recovery was not that bad either-got quicker with each child