Just found out I am having TWINS.. exercise suggestions?

April+ · June 2012

I had my 6 week u/s on Thursday and found out that I am having twins! I am still in shock to say the least! I was very active and went to the gym 4-6 days a week prior to getting pregnant and I know that I obviously cannot continue the same routine while pregnant but I was just wondering when you got the OK from your dr to start exercising and what kind of exercise is recommended. I would like to maintain strength especially since I am going to be carrying twins and I am very petite (5'3 and 100lb). Any advice?

mars724 · June 2012

My dr told me to just keep an eye on my heart rate, not to let it get above 140. Which for me, was a brisk walk. Just make sure to drink lots and lots of water on days you do any exercising, like on top of the amount you're supposed to have.

Congrats!

BananaPancake · June 2012

Unless you're cramping or bleeding, I'd continue your gym routine as-is for the first tri. Singleton and multiple pgs are pretty much the same for the first few months, and you and the kids aren't sharing a blood supply just yet, so you'll probably feel good for another couple of weeks.

Make sure you're drinking a TON of water and listening very closely to what your body is telling you. A twin pregnancy is ten times more exhausting than anything I'd ever done at the gym, so I'm guessing there will be a time that you'll naturally hang it up a few months from now.

I wouldn't be doing anything that could risk a trip or a fall at this point, and you'd do well to keep your HR monitored to make sure you're not overdoing it. Swimming, jogging, walking, spin class, treadmill, all of that should be fine for now.

I would also alert the gym staff to your condition NOW and make a sticker for your water bottle. Better to have everyone on the same page just in case some freak thing happens. I tend to be a fainter, so I always tell the staff the second I get a BFP.

Brummy14 · June 2012

I'm like you -- highly active -- doc said I could continue my pre-pregnancy routine as-is until told otherwise.

E&RMommy · June 2012

Everyone is different. I used to run a lot. I miscarried my first three pregnancies. With my twins, I ran early on and had a huge bleed at 7 weeks. I was put on pelvic rest from there on out. I went into PTL at 23 weeks and was on bedrest until 36 weeks. I wish I had been a little more careful earlier. The bleed may or may not have set in motion my PTL and hence need for bedrest. My babies were also growth restricted - which is another possibility with a subchorionic bleed.

Your doctor will be the best person to advise you. You will see a variety of outcomes on here - running until third trimester vs. bedrest in first trimester. It's a very mixed bag with multiples.

Congrats!!!

Breezy8407 · June 2012

I did what I did before pregnancy which was running about 25 miles per week. I was a lt slower, but I kept up the mileage as long as I felt good. I didn't find out I was twins until 11 weeks, but it didn't change what I did. My doctors had no problem with my running.

I made it until 21 weeks. I had to switch to walking because of slight placenta previa, but it was getting really uncomfortable to run anyway.

Reilly626 · June 2012

I was told to lay off- I walked until he told me to stop- about 20 weeks. My Jon as a teacher is more physical than most.

reillyroowho · June 2012

I was/am petite as well. I had a hard time putting on the healthy amount of weight for my boys so my doc said that I had my whole life to exercise and that I needed to take it easy. That meant water aerobics and prenatal yoga for me. Twin pregnancies are different and there is a larger risk for complications such as placenta previa, preterm labor, and shortened cervix. I would really focus on weight gain and taking it easy so those babies have the very best chance of staying in as long as possible