Exercise in pregnancy?

cbyrd wrote: »

I have day 1 2 and 3 plans and i get lots of help with dismantling the wieghts off the bars.. the big muscle guys seem to have a block when it comes to putting them back on the rack :rolleyes: men!!

My pet hate!!! Good lord, drives me batty!!!

fall wrote: »

Anyone do kettle bells during their pregnancy? Some of the work outs on you tube are insane. I don't know if I should keep the class up that I normally do.

I trained with Kettlebells up to 36 weeks on my last pregnancy .. however

1. I trained with the same instructor for 2 years prior (we knew and trusted each other's judgement)
2. The class was small (think group PT) - geared towards having impeccable technique, rather than just a 'bootcamp' style class where there are 30 people doing high reps of a technical move where there is lots of scope for error therefore injury.
3. I had some pelvic SI joint pain towards the middle and end of the pregnancy, and found that kb training actually helped me with this issue.

I trained reasonably hard, but I also listened to my body. I truly believe your body will tell you when to reduce intensity and when you need to increase rest and/or reduce sets. Obviously you need to ensure you are healthy and having a low risk pregnancy before embarking on any sort of exercise when pregnant but I would say in the right setting, and using the right moves with common sense, there is no reason not to train with kettlebells! I had no issues with KB swings, goblet squats, deadlifts, cleans, single-leg and single-arm work. The only thing I would watch were complexes (very easy to overheat here) and snatches - they tended to send my pulse sky-rocketing!!

I'd recommend getting a heartrate monitor too - not for that old-school advice to 'keep your heartrate below 140', but to help track how your body is reacting to the exercise on the day, when the numbers are starting to peak, or if your heartrate is higher than normal, it's sometimes a good indication to reduce the intensity.

fall wrote: »

. I love doing weights and they make me feel mentally and physically strong. My energy is much higher when I exercise. It's great that it is becoming more normal for pregnant women to exercise.

Fully agree with you here! I really believe it's the best thing a woman can do for both herself and her baby

fall wrote: »

I love doing weights and they make me feel mentally and physically strong. My energy is much higher when I exercise. It's great that it is becoming more normal for pregnant women to exercise.

Agree 100% It's so empowering and you know that you're not just doing it for yourself, you're doing it for the baby too!

househunter wrote: »

Totally agree - I'm convinced that exercising throughout my last pregnancy helped me in labour and delivery, helped me recover from a bad tear in no time at all and with no lasting damage and ensured i gained a very healthy amount of weight. Maybe its a coincidence but am hoping for the same this time around!

Yep I was the same. I had a c-section but was out of hospital after 2 nights, and out walking with the buggy after a week. I put that entirely down to strength training throughout my pregnancy. Not only was it great for my body, my baby (a healthy 7lb 13!) but also my mind!

Finding it harder this time to remain consistent with the exercise (so far) since I've a toddler to run around after too, I'm knackered!

God, ye are great to be getting out exercising when you have a little one to look after as well as being pregnant. Inspirational!

I'm still mostly just running. Two weeks ago I got in 18 miles total, and was hoping for 18 again last week, but I just felt terrible from Thursday to Sunday. Got in 3.5 miles Thursday at lunch, and tried for 4-6 on Saturday morning, but after the first 1.5 I had to slow to a walk, I felt terrible. The nausea and constipation have been randomly hitting me recently and saturday was bad for both. Managed to walk 4 miles saturday and about 3 miles sunday. Much better since then, a nice 4 miles at lunch today in the sun

I got an upgrade progam yesterday, i have graduated from knee rehab to being able to use the treadmill for fast walking and uphill stuff.. have to be extra careful with the ligament softening, i so miss my old routines.. I'm down from 110kgs leg press to 40.. and no squats or lunges til after the baba.. I miss the boxing and my fitness is not good enough yet for spinning but i'm determined to get there before i can't get on a bike

I suppose I should be glad really.. this is my 5th baby and i'm 40 ... I'm also the only pregnant woman in my gym.. :eek: my energy is slowly returning ( I'm 13 weeks tomorrow) and the nausea is mostly easing off now, just the odd crippling day!!

As was said in an earlier post limited core work, its mostly to guard against muscle separation later on.. I used to do a shed load of sit-ups with the 16kg ball, 2 person stuff like ball throws and passing the ball, sit-ups with the ball on your head, russian twists, hanging off the bar with the ball between my knees and doing either full leg lifts or knee lifts.. now i just do the roll ups and half sit-ups, V lifts and the best one, the dynamic plank.. ouchies :eek:

Hey ladies

Did any of ye buy a maternity swimsuit? Are they worth it, like are they really much different to a larger size regular swimsuit? I plan on swimming a lot more towards the end when I can't do other exercise, but I'm not sure if I can justify spending 50-80 quid on one. Also, will it not just stretch like mad anyway when the bump gets bigger?

My other half was saying I should just wear the sports bikinis I already have - my boobs are like five times the size they were! Those little tops will barely cover me nips!

Cheers

Cameoette wrote: »

I just cracked and bought one today! I got it for €28 in mothercare. I love it! It's making its debut tomorrow. I tried on regular larger size swimsuits the other day, and it didn't work because the bump dragged the whole upper half of the swimsuit down, so boobs everywhere. This one has a stretchy panel in the right place that feels like it will have enough room in it for hopefully the next 15 weeks! It also has a tie halterneck, so I can adjust as boobs get bigger along the way. If you can get hold of a reasonably priced halterneck one I'd say they're a good option in this regard.

I did try and just go for bikini option using my normal size bottoms resting under bump, and a bigger bikini top, but I definitely feel a lot more comfortable and supported in my new swimsuit. So for me, totally worth it!

I bought a mothercare one 4 yrs ago got a bit of wear out of it but they dont wear that well .

Saw one in mothercare there about a month ago. Used it once sat in kiddies pool with it and took it out of bag to dry after the swim
And the bottom of it looked thread bare was not impressed lost the reciept too so could not return it.

But after all that i would reconmend one ( a maternity swimsuit )

I'm not sure if Sports Direct deliver to Ireland but I picked up a couple of Slazenger ones from there and they are great, enjoyed a good swimming session today actually! They leave lots of room for bump too.

Just checked and they have lots of stores in Norn Iron so I'm sure they do. And they are soooooooo cheap, swimsuits going for £7 at moment. Just put 'maternity swimwear' in the search bar of www.sportsdirect.com

I used a larger size M&S basic swimsuit. 'Twas perfect!

Dunnes maternity swimsuit at recommendation of some one on BOARDS - E18, up a size to be sure. So far so good. If lasts the rest of pregnancy, good enough for me! Funny sight though and pool has soooo many mirror! Funny but love it!

monflat wrote: »

God didnt know dunnes have maternity stuff ?

Me neither and not sure they do but a Boardsie recommended and yes, it is a "maternity togs" !! Nice big loose belly on it. Been to pool twice, nice n' comfy.