First Trimester and Exercise? My friends advice has me freaked out!

KristyVit · June 2012

Prior to getting pregnant, I would go to the gym around 3 times a week and do about 45 minutes of cardio each time... I also walk my dog for around 40 minutes, 3-4 days a week.

I told my friend I was pregnant and she told me to "relax, don't go to the gym and try not to jiggle too much". I am not going to lie... I am kind of freaked out!

Did you girls lay off the exercise in the first trimester? I read that it is supposed to help with stuff... but then again I don't want to take any chances!

KMAXON · June 2012

If you worked out prior to pregnancy, it is more than safe to keep exercising now. (As long as your doctor says it's okay). No offense, but your friend isn't a doctor. I looked it up, because I was afraid to jiggle the baby loose, but everything I read says it's nearly impossible to exercise your baby away from implanting. I just finished 45 minutes of cardio that included lots of jumping and I feel great. I do, however, take it a little easier if I start to feel dizzy or fatigued.

jcookie0723 · June 2012

I've done road races and triathlons for the last 3 years and so far have done 2 races since finding out I'm pregnant. I take it a little easier and try to stay super hydrated. You can exercise as long as your doctor permits it, just listen to your body!

Aloyssa2003 · June 2012

yep, the thought of NOT exercising while pregnant freaks me out since I'm in the army and will have to take a PT test 6 months after giving birth =p The thing I'm going for is to not run anymore. In order to get my cardio I walk about a mile on a treadmill at 4 mph (I don't walk on the road like normal cause I live in the country and there's a single spot where there's ALWAYS a hornet waiting to chase me and I'm terrified of them =p) and then I'll ride a stationary bike for about 5 miles. For strength and balance I just started prenatal yoga that has certain moves for each of the 3 trimesters :] I'm just doing my best not to work my abs too much and just finding other ways to get my arms and legs toned up :] best of luck!

MissNikki007 · June 2012

You can continue to do whatever you were doing prior to pregnancy. You're pregnant, not invalid FFS.

I did high-impact step aerobics throughout my entire second pregnancy. Everything was fine.

sragreen · June 2012

Yes, exercise is fine as long as you were exercising before you got your BFP. I had an appointment on Monday, and exercise was one of the questions that I had for my doctor too. She told me that I can really do whatever I want...running, weights under 20 lbs, and even yoga. The only thing she said was just to listen to my body. If I don't feel good, get dizzy, etc. take it a little easier. She said that exercising is one of the best things that you can do for baby and for you (especially after the birth).

Megroons · June 2012

KristyVit:

Prior to getting pregnant, I would go to the gym around 3 times a week and do about 45 minutes of cardio each time... I also walk my dog for around 40 minutes, 3-4 days a week.

I told my friend I was pregnant and she told me to "relax, don't go to the gym and try not to jiggle too much". I am not going to lie... I am kind of freaked out!

Did you girls lay off the exercise in the first trimester? I read that it is supposed to help with stuff... but then again I don't want to take any chances!

Confused The eye roll is for your friend....

colinsfebmommy · June 2012

MissNikki007:

You can continue to do whatever you were doing prior to pregnancy. You're pregnant, not invalid FFS.

I did high-impact step aerobics throughout my entire second pregnancy. Everything was fine.

I am so glad you said that because I do step and zumba. Though it is harder to do step now I keep getting so winded Sad

KristyVit · June 2012

lol. I thought the jiggling thing was a little silly too... but she is the one with 2 kids and this is my first so I thought it was worth asking!

Thanks ladies for easing my mind! Time to head to the gym I guess!

kac831 · June 2012

I think that is silly unless your doctor specifically said no exercise!

I had a routine of cardio/ weights every other day and plan on continuing it!

alkvoelker · June 2012

Honestly, I have been so tired I can't imagine going back to my old gym routine (which is out of the question anyways as I was doing a LOT of intense cardio, circut training, and weight lifting for 2 hours a day, 5 days a week). Now I am doing yoga and lifting small weights everyday at home, and I walk my dog every other day for 30 minutes.

sesigs · June 2012

It's also important to keep exercising because it will make labor easier! Like other PPs said my doctor told me as long as I don't start anything crazy and new I will be fine. It's okay to "jiggle" because baby is well protected! I walk everyday and do light weight lifting (only 5lbs) a few times a week.

NechamaChayim · June 2012

the body is made to move and your friend is full of crap. you'll be fine.

FutureMrsTowns · June 2012

I've kinda been wondering about this too, but I didn't really exercise before my BFP.... is it ok to start some light cardio now that I'm pregnant?

phdwyfe2013 · June 2012

shanie33:
Your friend is wrong, unless you are classified as high risk, bleeding, or have any other sort of complications you are SUPPOSED to exercise.

The general rule of thumb is to not start any new exercises and to keep your heart rate under 140.

This. No new exercise but whatever you are doing is fine. My doctor said the HR under 140 is an old rule and you should go by if you can comfortably speak (ex: i wear a hr monitor when I spin and on Sunday it topped at 150, I could still speak then and I was taking it easy!)

pitch77 · June 2012

phdwyfe2013:
shanie33:
Your friend is wrong, unless you are classified as high risk, bleeding, or have any other sort of complications you are SUPPOSED to exercise.

The general rule of thumb is to not start any new exercises and to keep your heart rate under 140.
This. No new exercise but whatever you are doing is fine. My doctor said the HR under 140 is an old rule and you should go by if you can comfortably speak (ex: i wear a hr monitor when I spin and on Sunday it topped at 150, I could still speak then and I was taking it easy!)

Yup, this, too. My doc said the same thing. Listen to your body, don't overheat, keep hydrated, and follow the "talk test" - as long as you can hold a conversation while you do whatever exercising you're doing, you're good. I do Zumba 3-5 times a week, totally approved by my doc with the guidelines above, and I check myself by singing along with the music regularly. (Not obnoxiously -- it's so loud that no one can hear my voice.)

cwm11985 · June 2012

You're fine. I still exercise every day and this boy is popping out any time now. Today, for example I went to our local high school and walked the track and then went up and down the bleachers several times. Needless to say there was a sh!tton of jiggling going on.

this decaf life · June 2012

I know there are restrictions on what your maximum heart rate should be while exercising & maximum internal temperature. I'd ask your doctor what limits they put on those two things. If you aren't hitting that max heart rate (I want to say 140) then you should be safe - if you're "jiggling" too much your heart rate will be too high so that's a good judgement of what's too much during pregnancy!

runlong3 · June 2012

There is SO much misinformation out there regarding exercise and pregnancy. FTR, this is the official ACOG Guideline regarding exercise intensity (please note that they DO NOT have set heart rate recommendations -- i.e. the 140 bpm is not true):

Intensity of exercise

Intensity is the most difficult component of an exercise regimen to prescribe for pregnant women. To derive health benefits, non-pregnant women are advised to participate in at least moderate intensity exercise. In the combined CDC-ACSM recommendations for physical activity and health, moderate exercise is defined as exercise of 3?4 METS or any activity that is equivalent in difficulty to brisk walking.⁴ There is no reason to alter this recommendation for pregnant women with no medical or obstetric complications. The recommended intensity of physical activity for developing and maintaining physical fitness is somewhat higher. The ACSM recommends that intensity should be 60?90% of maximal heart rate or 50?85% of either maximal oxygen uptake or heart rate reserve. The lower end of these ranges (60?70% of maximal heart rate or 50?60% of maximal oxygen uptake) appears to be appropriate for most pregnant women who did not engage in regular exercise before pregnancy, and the upper part of these ranges should be considered for those who wish to continue to maintain fitness during pregnancy. In a meta-analysis study of exercise and pregnancy, it was reported that, with exercise intensities of 81% of heart rate maximum, no significant adverse effects were found.⁵²

Given the variability in maternal heart rate responses to exercise, target heart rates cannot be used to monitor exercise intensity in pregnancy.

Ratings of perceived exertion have been found to be useful during pregnancy as an alternative to heart rate monitoring of exercise intensity.⁵⁴ For moderate exercise, ratings of perceived exertion should be 12?14 (somewhat hard) on the 6?20 scale. Evidence of the efficacy of this approach is that, when exercise is self paced, most pregnant women will voluntarily reduce their exercise intensity as pregnancy progresses.⁵⁵ Although an upper level of safe exercise intensity has not been established, women who were regular exercisers before pregnancy and who have uncomplicated, healthy pregnancies should be able to engage in high intensity exercise programmes, such as jogging and aerobics, with no adverse effects. The nutritional, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal condition of the subject as well as fetal wellbeing should be periodically assessed during the prenatal office visits in pregnant women undertaking high intensity exercise programmes. Additional testing should be considered as clinically indicated?for example, non-stress fetal heart testing and ultrasound to assess fetal growth. Dietary modifications and changes in exercise routines should also be considered if clinically indicated.

They also talk about concerns regarding frequency duration. If you want to read the entire article which goes over all of their recommendations you can find it here: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/37/1/6.full

brittneygirl · June 2012

Ok, if I read another "freaked out because my friend told me" post, I'm going o scream. Simply put, ask your DOCTOR. If you let everything everyone tells you freak you out, you are goin to have a miserable pregnancy when you don't have to! Gt a detailed list of "dos an donts" from your doc an jus tune everyone else out..

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LiteraryFoodie · June 2012

KristyVit:
Prior to getting pregnant, I would go to the gym around 3 times a week and do about 45 minutes of cardio each time... I also walk my dog for around 40 minutes, 3-4 days a week.
I told my friend I was pregnant and she told me to "relax, don't go to the gym and try not to jiggle too much". I am not going to lie... I am kind of freaked out!
Did you girls lay off the exercise in the first trimester? I read that it is supposed to help with stuff... but then again I don't want to take any chances!

This advice is absolutely ridiculous. Sounds like your exercise routine is just fine. Keep it up; it will make for a healthier pregnancy.

[Deleted User] · June 2012

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MrsCarroll.6-10-07 · June 2012

Your friend doesn't sound like a doctor to me. I have friends that run marathons. You certainly cannot jiggle out the baby in a normal pregnancy. I would follow up any of her advice with "Well my DOCTOR said this is OK" and see if that keeps her quiet.

skychick312 · June 2012

Your friend is wrong! unless you are high risk or threatening a miscarriage you are supposed to exercise... My job is pretty physical, packing parachutes, and I work 5 days/week... I did this with my 1st pregnancy too, starting in the 1st trimester... Helped with the m/s... It's good for you and baby to exercise...