working out at 38 weeks?

siggia2000@yahoo.com · May 2011

Is anyone still working out at 38 weeks? I feel better when I do and I have limited myself to weights, light circuit training treadmill, elliptical work. Is anyone else still working out?

growingmybun · May 2011

I'm working out at 34 weeks and seems to be going ok.

SFAug07 · May 2011

With DD1, I ran daily until I went into labor at 40 weeks, about 6-8 miles per day, and did weights and abs. It worked out well for me and I had a really easy labor and delivery, and recovered very quickly.

hikerbeth · May 2011

I stopped teaching Bodycombat at 40 weeks.

Stopped teaching Bodypump at 41 weeks.

Had DS at 41 weeks 3 days.

Keep going!! My delivery was great.

MeginUT · May 2011

I agree with the previous posters. I did step aerobics and lifted light weights the morning before I delivered. I had a very easy delivery and recovered quickly. Just listen to your body. At some point, I just stopped jumping as much and would take it way down or stop if I felt winded or too hot. I only gained 20 pounds, all in my belly with no swelling, I attribute that to working out to the very end. I've also heard studies that you pass on the cardio benefits to your little one and make him or her that much stronger.

One caveat, I had to stop walking in the park at some point. It wasn't that it didn't feel good, but that I just needed to have a bathroom really close by at all times. My workouts all moved to the indoors.

simbaby · May 2011

You women are inspiring! I'm 36 weeks and still working out. There are days when I feel too tired to work out, but reading your posts (especially the ones who said their labor was easy) motivates me to continue. Thanks!!!

Sue&Pasquale · May 2011

I did until the day before I delivered. I was done with pregnancy and just wanted it done. I walked and walked and walked.

I stop teaching classes a few weeks before but still walked, lifted weights and did yoga. I had an easy labor. 3 contractions, 3 pushes each and he was out. I was back to my pre pregancy weight by the time he was 5 months.

genekelly · May 2011

I'm not yet 38 wks but still working out 5-6 days/wk with 2 days of light weights as well. I think it has def helped with feeling so good and keeping the swelling and aches and pains away. I plan to keep going until I go into labor.

BayGal18 · May 2011

SFAug07, do you mind sharing what kind of ab exercises you did while pregnant? I'm looking for some good ones!
(wow- you ran Boston six months pregnant? I ran it this year at about 14 weeks and that was.. interesting!) Thanks for your input!

meg211 · May 2011

I'm only 32 weeks and the last 2 I have been swamped at work and feeling really tired so haven't worked out at all (prior to that, very regularly). But I went this morning and so glad I did. I met my pg role model there this morning - she is 38 weeks, was working out, looked great and said working out helped her in her first pg with delivery and recovery, and she was there today doing it again.

Seeing her this morning and reading the above posts has just re-invigorated me to get back into it 5-6 times a week!! Listen to your bodies, and keep it up ladies!

melody921 · May 2011

I did work out at that point. Walking and yoga were my choices. I was too stiff if I just sat still.

SFAug07 · May 2011

BayGal18:

SFAug07, do you mind sharing what kind of ab exercises you did while pregnant? I'm looking for some good ones!
(wow- you ran Boston six months pregnant? I ran it this year at about 14 weeks and that was.. interesting!) Thanks for your input!

I did (and do with this pregnancy) crunches on an exercise ball, usually about 100 of them every day. Straight and traverse.

I 'ran' Boston six months pregnant - was more than an hour slower than my PR, so it wasn't really running (4:29), walked a lot of it and took three really long bathroom breaks. It was a lot of fun! My DH was worried about it and requested no marathons with this baby...

shellylovelee · May 2011

SFAug07:
BayGal18:

SFAug07, do you mind sharing what kind of ab exercises you did while pregnant? I'm looking for some good ones!
(wow- you ran Boston six months pregnant? I ran it this year at about 14 weeks and that was.. interesting!) Thanks for your input!

I did (and do with this pregnancy) crunches on an exercise ball, usually about 100 of them every day. Straight and traverse.

I 'ran' Boston six months pregnant - was more than an hour slower than my PR, so it wasn't really running (4:29), walked a lot of it and took three really long bathroom breaks. It was a lot of fun! My DH was worried about it and requested no marathons with this baby...

I just had to say you are my running inspiration! I'm not a long distance runner (four prior knee surgeries keeps me at a 10K or less) but I love reading about your experiences and advice for runners. I bought the Gabrialla support band based on one of your posts. It has helped keep my uterus from dribbling my bladder like a basketball. Just wanted to say "Well done!" and thanks for all of your comments and posts!