What is safe to do?

PSUwifey · August 2010

I am in my 13th week, and my doctor has told me that all I can do is take brisk walks. Before I got preggers, I was working with a personal trainer a couple of times a week, doing spinning classes, zumba classes and running. Now I have been told that the max I can do is take brisk walks. Please tell me that my doctor is being overly conservative and that I can start to do a little more. I am feeling so sluggish and lazy lately and I think that while some of it is because I AM pg, a lot of it has to do with this severe change in activity levels.

Any advice?

firsttimeaunt · August 2010

I completed my 1st marathon about 3 months before I got pregnant. My doctor told me that continuing to run, since I was doing it on a regular basis prepregnancy, was fine. He just said let my body be my guide and If i get too hot or start breating hard to walk for a few minutes. I'm 26 weeks now and I'm still running. I'm not running as much or as long (I'm from Mississippi and we have had the hottest summer on record so far), but I'm still trying to get some excercise in - at least 30 - 45 minutes 3 or 4 times per week. For example, this morning, I just went for 2.5 miles and only ran 1.8 of it, and walked the other part at a brisk pace.

EllaSmella · August 2010

Your OB is being more conservative than my MW, but that being said, s/he knows your medical history and unique situation much better so there may be a specific reason they are recommending only walking.

My MW told me I am OK to continue doing anything that I was doing pre-pregnancy. For me, that means running, using the elliptical and lifting light weights. I have continued to do all of these things throughout my pregnancy and I feel great. I actually crave working out during pregnancy much more than when I'm not pregnant - not really sure why...

That being said, I am very careful to keep hydrated and avoid the heat (I head to the air conditioned gym if it's hot). For my running, I stick to soft surfaces only and run a slow pace. I am also sure to eat enough to replace the calories I'm burning from exercise and just try to generally take good care of myself.

Maybe your OB would be OK with you increasing your activity level if you did it very gradually (mix 1-2 min of jogging in with your walking) and s/he can monitor you as you build up?

Sue&Pasquale · August 2010

I am not sure why she said that. if there are no complications, they say you can do what you did before pregnancy. Just make sure you listen to your body. you should never reach the point if exertion where you cant talk.

My doctor didnt want me working out in the first trimester, but I had complications, past miscarriages, a hematoma, etc.

when I hit the second trimester I was told I could do everything but run.But they were concerned of my cervical length. he just wanted me to also watch my heart rate.

I just walk, lift weights (I dont use anymore than 10 lbs weights) and do prenatal yoga.

I am a certified spinning instructor and have not been on a spin bike since I found out I was pregnant. your heart rate gets way to high and I know I probally could do it and just modify. But I think its more in my head. all my miscarriages I was still teaching. I think I am just afraid.

if you are with a personal trainer I am sure they know how to modify your workouts.

Just remember, everyone is different. just because someone ran a marathon doesnt mean you can. listen to your body. I also love prenatal dvds. here are a few of my favorite ones.

Element: Prenatal & Postnatal Yoga- Elena Brower. 30 minutes prenatal yoga practice.
Yoga for your Pregnancy-Co-created by Lamaze and Yoga Journal.Prenatal yoga 31 minutes, relax 17 minutes.
Crunch Yoga Mama-Sue Elkind. 40 Minute prenatal yoga practice.
Prenatal Yoga- Shiva Rea. 60 minute prenatal yoga DVD.
Denise Austin: Fit & Firm Pregnancy-20 minute cardio, 20 minute toning.
Summer Sander's Prenatal Workout- Divided into 3 trimesters. Each workout uses the identical format: an extended warm-up, a mix of varied (mostly standing) exercises and a long, soothing stretch. About 40 minutes.

The perfect pregnancy workout- Karyne Steben, a world-class acrobat formerly with Cirque du Soleil, takes you through this sculpting workout with a nice combo of upper- and lower-body exercises. The Perfect Pregnancy Workout video is a 43 minute pregnancy exercise video: 5 minute warm-up, 33 minute workout, 5 minute cool down

good luck!

PSUwifey · August 2010

Thanks, ladies. That makes me feel better. So far, no complications That's why I thought it was odd that she told me that I could only go on brisk walks.

I think I'll start to gradually kick it up a notch now that I am in my second trimester.

PSUwifey · August 2010

@Sue and Pasquale: Thanks for including a list of your fave prenatal DVDs. I am extremely interested in starting to do prenatal yoga and just have not found any where to go locally. I will look into these DVDs today!

laineybix · August 2010

Please take a look at ACOG's recommendations for exercise during pregnancy and ask your OB/GYN about how you fit in. It sounds like he / she may not be up to date (many health care providers are NOT). Unless there is a medical or high risk issue, you should be able to continue at a moderate level of physical activity compared to what you were doing before.

I was working out 6 days a week, sometimes 2x a day before I became pregnant. With my midwives' approval, I continued to work out about 5x per week at a lower intensity...even running the day before I went into labor.

There are specific recommendations from ACOG and ACSM about pregnancy and exercise....your HCP should be aware of them.

hikerbeth · August 2010

Your doctor is being conservative. You can do what you did before pregnancy and just listen to your body.

I taught group fitness classes until I was 41 weeks with only minor modifications.

lindseyjane03 · August 2010

My drs encouraged me to continue to run as far into my pregnancy as I was comfortable. I am 35 weeks and still running right now, although not as far as I was prepregnancy! I've always heard the if you were doing it before, it's ok during pregnancy. With that being said, however, every body is different. You dr may know something about you that we don't. Maybe he has a real reason for telling you this. I was told to not do any ab work at my first appt, but have heard since then that it is ok to continue it as long as you're not doing extremely strenuous work. Every doc is different. Express your concerns to him and see what he says. Again, he may have a good reason.

SFAug07 · August 2010

I agree with the others - your doctor might have a specific concern so it would be best to ask him.

I ran through my entire pregnancy, did a full marathon when I was 25 weeks pregnant and had a perfectly healthy easy pregnancy, labor and delivery, and a beautiful healthy baby girl. I was doing several marathons a year pre-pregnancy and just kept up my running routine.

tmm140 · August 2010

My doctor told me to keep working arms, do cardio, and try to avoid any ab work. Although this is the area I have the most problem in pre-pregnancy, I don't want to go against dr.'s orders. She said I could do yoga, which I am going to look into in the next couple of months.

hollerjeepgirl · August 2010

I see yoga DVDs at Target for pregnant people

Want a personalized experience?

What is safe to do?

Re: What is safe to do?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards