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Natural Birth
natural birth for the not physically fit
Hello ladies! I was just wondering if any of you had a natural birth and were not in good physical shape? DH and I had just gotten into "lets get ready for a baby" mode (i.e pay off credit cards/getting in shape) when we found out we were expecting, so I am nowhere close to the fitness level I wanted to be at when entering the Mommy phase. To me it makes sense that your chances of succeeding in a natural birth would be higher if you were fit. I am very not fit. Please give me hope that I am not doomed from the start.
(just so you have an idea: pre-preg weight was 200, at 28 weeks it is 220, no health issues, just fat)
Thank You!
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Re: natural birth for the not physically fit
I would start pre-natal yoga, it helped me a lot during my first pg (and I was really inactive during that pg, too), and I used a lot of the positions/relaxation techniques during labor. I don't think you're doomed, though!
Swimming is awesome, too, if you can find a cheap pool pass for somewhere.
DS2 - Oct 2010 (my VBAC baby!)
Well, if it makes you feel better, your uterus does most of the work and it's not like you can work out your ute to prepare!
I would try to stay active through your pregnancy - walking, swimming/water aerobics, and prenatal yoga are great. I liked yoga to help me learn to consciously relax and focus, too.
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Little Rose is 2 1/2.
I was 215 pre-pregnancy (gained 35 with the first and 40 with the second) with both kids and had a natural birth with both. It probably would have helped for me to be more physically fit, but it was not necessary. My first labor was 40 hours long and I pushed for 3.5 hours and my second labor was a very intense 12 hours when I dilated from 2 cm to 10 cm in the last hour and a half (very intense). I got through both just fine. The second time around I didn't even really have a choice to not push- it was all involuntary. LOL
I was active during both my pregnancies (walking mostly) and ate healthy (high protein Brewers style diet) and I DO think that helped...at least the healthy eating kept me BP down and helped me get to the finish line without any health issues.
GL
Gretchen Evie, born 7/8/2012 at 35w5d
The body's systems will kick in to do labor for you in many regards. So, I wouldn't sweat this.I had a health condition in my last pregnancy that made all exercise extremely painful. I made it through 55 hours of labor before I elected some medically beneficial interventions. Even a marathon runner would be exhausted at that point! All that said, being active is great for you and baby! Building up to aalking 30 minutes a day would be a great way to prepare. Gym-fitness is a new thing in the history of the world, so if that isn't your thing that is perfectly ok.
More Green For Less Green
The only thing that worries me is that I absolutely cannot squat and I don't think anything will change that except a 100 pound weight loss, which will not happen while I'm pregnant, obviously. I could most likely squat partially if I had something to hold on to. Unfortunately the arthritis in my knees has been acting up, though.
I was 313 pre pregnancy and I'm currently about 308 after losing several pounds in the first tri. I'm still not able to eat too healthily--or much at all--due to a complete lack of appetite. Nothing sounds good and I am only mildly hungry once a day. Other than that the thought of eating makes me gag and it's very hard to make myself do it.
I've been trying to walk now that all day nausea isn't completely knocking me out, but walking makes my knees hurt quite a bit and it has apparently triggered my sciatica to start up again. It's like the universe is trying to keep me from all physical activity. ha. I'd be up for prenatal yoga but I don't feel like spending money that we don't particularly have right now just to be a zoo exhibit in a room full of normal people. I'm just in so much pain in general that I'm not sure it would be too successful.
As someone else said, it's your uterus that's doing the work. I just hope I start feeling better so I can work on my stamina.
blog! thescenery.net
There are so many free online yoga and exercise sites these days- Google free online yoga or free online workout or something to that effect and you'll find tons. This way you have the comfort of doing them in your own living room, and the ability to turn it off and take a break when you need to. Of course, you still have to find the time/motivation to do it (which is always my challenge) but it certainly makes it easier.
I was unfit for both births. I put on 60 pounds with each pregnancy and whilst I was active at work, running around after a toddler etc etc I am in no way fit.
Both my pregnancies and births were hassle free, and I had two lovely natural labours.
Good luck.
Elizabeth 5yrs old Jane 3yrs old
I was 210 to start, gained 30 pounds during pregancy. Just like you - fat but no health issues, but very out of shape. I had no complications with the pregnancy (passed the 1hr GTT and no pre-e). I had a <8 hour labor from first contraction to delivery, and it was done naturally (although OB broke my water at 8cm, not sure if you count that as "natural" or not).
I did do prenatal yoga, and that really really helped. I was easily the biggest person in the room, and it made me self-consious a lot, but it was totally worth it. Staying as flexible as possible and focusing on relaxation were really useful in labor. I didn't feel I was lacking in strength at any point, although my labor was very short.
First of all, you're not fat. You're curvy!
Go into it with a positive attitude and confidence and I'm sure you'll be fine.
BFP#1 1/31/12, EDD 10/6/12 Harrison Gray born sleeping @ 18w6d. You changed our lives little guy.
BFP#2 EDD 10/29/13, C/P 2/25/13, Bye little Ish, we barely got to know you.
BFP#3 EDD 12/21/13, Baby Boots born 11/23/13 My rainbow baby!
January PAL Siggy Challenge: Good Advice
You might find this post helpful. :-)
https://wellroundedmama.blogspot.com/2010/10/too-out-of-shape-for-birth.html
Missing our little turkey.
Estimated Due Date 11/13/12 | Natural Miscarriage 4/17/12
I went into pregnancy with my first heavier than you are now and ended up gaining 50 pounds. I had a great pregnancy and delivery with my first. I started prenatal yoga about 28 weeks, I wish I had started earlier. My delivery was great, I didn't have any pain killers, though I ended up with pitocin for an hour and a half due to my water being broken for a while. I used the squatting bar for pushing for a bit and then ended up on my back. My OB to this day still comments on how well I did during labor and how quickly he came.
This pregnancy was a total oops and I'm starting out heavier than my first. I'm trying to watch my weight gain a bit this pregnancy but my OB has never said anything about it this time or last time. I'm 32 weeks and I feel pretty good, I've passed my gestational diabetes test and I have a few minor preganancy complaints but nothing major. I work out a few times a week and take care of a very active toddler. Unfortunately the active toddler and DH's work schedule keep me from making it to prenatal yoga often. I'm going to try for a natural birth this time around again.
I think the prenatal yoga really helped last time and getting some sort of exercise is important during pregnancy. I find I really enjoy the my DS's mommy and me swim lesson, it takes a lot of the weight off of me. The only real issue my weight caused for me last time was that I don't think the monitors when they had them on me were picking up every contraction. Since my water was broken, they weren't doing cervical checks and thought I wasn't progressing enough, so I ended up with pitocin.
I would never consider myself a very fit person and I didn't workout much before getting pregnant. I agree with the suggestions to do prenatal yoga, I found it to be very helpful. I also did squats in the shower every morning to help strengthen my legs and because the hot water and the squatting position was the only time that the ache in my hips would stop. I found that was very helpful since I ended up delivering in a squat like position.
Just try to stay limber and improve flexibility while you're pregnant. Walk if you have the time and try to push yourself a little so that you're comfortable being slightly winded and still going.
You don't have to be thin or muscular or super fit to have a natural birth, just listen to your body as the pregnancy advances and do what you feel it's asking for.
I was very fit when I had my first baby and very un-fit with the second. I was able to have both babies without meds and my fitness level didn't really seem to impact either experience.
I wasn't overweight when I got pg the first time, but I was not exercising at all nor did I really do anything until near the end (swimming laps casually). I gained almost 50lbs and was close to 200lbs at the time of birth. I was a little concerned about this but not enough to effect my thought of whether I could do it or not.
I did make it through med-free and I didn't find it any harder physically when I compare it to my second pg (also med-free) when I was in better shape.
I agree, start doing some prenatal yoga and I bet you'll feel better even with just that at this point.