Exercising?

MJMommy410

I am 39 and 11 weeks pregnant. I have been doing Zumbe 1-2x a week (fairly consistently) for the last year. When I went to my first OB appt and asked about continuing he was originally a little skeptical but then said it was ok as long as I modified it. I was also trying to walk and do some prenatal exercise DVDs. This week I was getting migraines for several days and when I called the office and brought up exercise the PA told me I shouldn't be doing Zumba, period. So now I'm confused...I've read things and people have told me that physical activity is fine if you were at that level before. But at the same time, I don't want to go against my doctor's advice and have something go wrong. Any opinions? I go back to the doc next week and I plan on asking again for some clarification...should I hold off until then?

kat1221

It is my understaning that you can keep doing what you are doing.  I think you're not supposed to start some intense program AFTER you get pregnant.  I am interested to hear your doc's reasoning.  I do a strength/high impact cardio DVD 3 mornings a week and walk 2-3 afternoons a week.  I have been doing this for a long time and my plan was to coninue thoughout my pregnancy.  Now you have my wondering:/

KJT37mom

I'm 37 and my OB recommends only swimming, walking and cycling, plus keeping my heartrate under 140. I find it annoying but I assume she has a reason for it, so even though I LOVE doing group power/body pump classes, I'm taking a break from the classes for the duration of the pregnancy. This, even though I was doing it 2-3 times a week and there are a couple other pregnant women in my class!

ReeceFamily

You're supposed to avoid "plyometric" exercises (I think that's the term ) that involve jumping or other activities that could jar your body.  I wonder it that's the concern with Zumba?  Because as long as you avoided any jumping, I would think that dancing was great during pregnancy!

MJMommy410

I did Zumba a few times after my first appt and my instructor modified it for me - no jumping, etc. And I went a little easier too since I find myself getting out of breath. When I first asked me doctor and he was so hesitant, he said the understand what "they" say but that he is just more conservative. So I don't know what to do. I was actually going to go back this weekend and my husband had a fit, telling me that if my doctor (or the PA) says I shouldn't do it, then I need to listen!

Jumpin4joy

I think its better to be safe than sorry and stick with your Dr.s or PAs advice.  I was running up to 20 miles a week before pregnancy and by the end of my 8th week could barely walk up the hill that I used to run because I was so out of breath.  My doctor has told me swimming, walking, stationary bike, and prenatal yoga are ok. 

benniferbaby

My doctor has zero concerns about my zumba habit (2-3x/week). It has dropped down to once a week and I do modify the moves now ... but I am 30 weeks and I took about a 2-month break from classes because between allergies and my schedule, it just wasn't happening. Do what feels ok to you - anything that doesn't feel right, stop.

lhcooper

My OB said I should be getting at least 30 minutes of vigorous exercise 5x/week (not that I've managed it); she also said the "heart rate under 140" thing is old science, and that a new huge multi-year study out of U Michigan suggested that vigorous exercise -- as long as one had been doing it before pregnancy -- was fine.  Maybe not the jumping up and down, but modified, and as long as you feel good, I'm sure Zumba is fine.

Mslsews

The exercise rules are old and they are finding out that exercise is great for you and your baby.  However, as with everything medical, it takes time for doctor's to get on board with the new findings.  The only things you have to be wary of is starting new exercise regimes and as your pregnancy progresses your joints will soften which can lead to injury so you should slow down/modify high impact-quick movement type activies. 

That said- I'd talk to your doctor about it.  If you are already disagreeing with him/her maybe you should look for a new one.   

MJMommy410

Actually I love my doctor. He delivered my first two children and I think he is wonderful. Like I said, he originally said he was okay with me continuing as long as I modified it. He was mostly concerned with me getting oveheated, which I think is valid. He admits to being more conservative than others, and that's just fine with me, It was the PA who made it sound like I shouldn;t be doing it. So I decided to wait it out. I go for my next visit next week and will fo over it then. If they think I shouldn't do it and can give me a vaild reason, then I will most certainly follow their advice. Hopefully, it will turn out that I misunderstood and they on'y wanted me to skip it when I was having the bad migraines.

leffe1

I was told that any type of core focused excercising should be avoided.  I think the best bet is to walk and run only if you ran before you were pg. It is very easy to over do it so if it is too much then try to find something less intense.

I try to walk as much as I can. I honestly cannot imagine doing anything else at this stage.

jadefnp

As a 3rd time mommy (37 yo and 17 weeks now:)) who has and likes exercising (Zumba, Yoga, Pilates included) during pregnancy.....AND a family nurse practitioner (pays to work in the business ) this is the skinny (no pun intended)...new guidelines for heartrate are same as before in the 140's if you've NEVER exercised before, but in your safe target aerobic heartrate (150's -160's average for your age/weight) for short periods of time if you were at a decent level of fitness. That being said, your tolerance changes in the first trimester mainly due to hormones lowering the BP, building blood volume and your blood vessels trying to figure out how to accomidate all the changes. Do what you're comfortable with. If you're getting headaches more frequently could be from your body not regulating your temp...so water, water, water and fan in front of you, or drops in blood sugar becuase your metabolism is in overdrive..so have a protein/carb heavy snack about half an hour before class.

Rule of thumb, if you can't talk slow down, if you need to modify due to discomfort do so...ligaments are loosening up so you're more prone to injury with quick movement changes like in Zumba so you need to tone it down and do half speed in some areas.

If you have cramping/spotting/or fluid leakage stop immediately lay down and drink fluids then get ahold of the OB on call.

Happy pregnancy and good luck!

MJMommy410

Well I went for my 12-week visit and saw the midwife, who also told me not to do Zumba. Her reasoning was that it is too easy to overheat and that, God forbid something were to ever go wrong with the pregnany, I would question myself. DO I think they are a little over cautious? Maybe. But I would rather be over cautious than take unncecessary risks. So it's prenatal DVDs and walking til this bun is done baking!

jadefnp

Sounds like a plan...if you get bored with walking, the Elliptical is a great option, doesn't raise your heartrate as high (air conditioning is a plus) and it's MUCH gentler on the knees especially when your center of balance starts to shift as the munchkin gets bigger! Plus added benefit of keeping your arms strong for holding the little one, all the lifting you're going to be doing and keeping back muscles toned to handle extra weight in the front:)

 Have a safe and happy 6 more months!