Moms that worked out during their pregnancy - Can you come in?

I was wondering if the months you spent on a treadmill or whatever really helped you out during your pregnancy and if it helped your birth, also.




Can you share your experience?

Re: Moms that worked out during their pregnancy - Can you come in?

I worked out up until 39 weeks, doing the elliptical, light weights and seeing my trainer 1x a week. I'm not sure if it would have helped with labor because I wound up with a C. I can say that it felt great to still be in shape while being pregnant though!

Re: Moms that worked out during their pregnancy - Can you come in?

I was doing Crossfit before getting pregnant and was in the best shape, then I had 3 months of nausea and stopped, then felt like it was too hard of a work out to do while pregnant so I didn't go back. I went from working out HARD to just walking a lot and of course eating healthy (except for the constant gummy bears craving that I had to satisfy) and had a great pregnancy and relatively easy/quick delivery.

Re: Moms that worked out during their pregnancy - Can you come in?

I think that exercising and stretching during pregnancy helped with stamina and flexibility to deal with the pains of labor.

Re: Moms that worked out during their pregnancy - Can you come in?

I truly don't know if it helped my PG, but I like to think it did. I gave birth to a giant baby, had a gigantic belly and really didn't have 'too' much of a problem during PG. I swam a mile per day until about week 14 when I had to save a drowning man in the pool next me. (Stupid lifeguards weren't even paying attention til I brought him to the side of the pool.) I refused to go back to that pool, so i walked 2 miles a few times per week through my second trimester.

Around 3rd trimester doctors knew something was 'different' with my PG, so i was cut back. At week 34 I was put on what they called 'modified bedrest' where I could do things at home, but not venture out alone. I did light treading water in our backyard pool when my DH was home to watch me. It made my body feel so much better to be lifted by the water.

I also believe chiropractic truly helped me survive a pregnancy like mine. My birth was c-section, so I don't think anything helped me with that.

Re: Moms that worked out during their pregnancy - Can you come in?

I worked out until 40 weeks.. granted, it halted to a slloowww walk on the treadmill..but at least 5 days a week I did the treadmill and a ton of stretches. I wound up having a c-section so I'll never know if it helped. BUT I had a ton more energy than many preggos I knew and I never had the aches and pains preggos tend to have.

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like it has helped with PP weightloss like I was hoping!

Re: Moms that worked out during their pregnancy - Can you come in?

I walked every day and did a lot of yoga stretching.

I think it helped. I was NOT flexible before, but even having my legs up and pushing for three hours - my legs didn't really hurt after. And I had a FABULOUS pregnancy! I was six days late and still walking every day.

My body WAS holding on to the weight, but now I think it is finally going down!

Re: Moms that worked out during their pregnancy - Can you come in?

I walked every where and anywhere (ran if you count chasing my Teddy around LOL) DEf helped!!!

Re: Moms that worked out during their pregnancy - Can you come in?

I worked out before I was pregnant and all throughout all three of my pregnancies. All three of my kids were induced labors b/c they just did not want to come out. As far as stamina I was in labor for over 24 hours with my son and pushed for about 45 minutes. I chalk up my bad experience there with the staff. I switched doctor's/hospitals for the rest of my pregnancies. With my 2nd and 3rd I was in labor about 4 hours and pushed about 3 times each time. I did not feel physically drained any of the times (just mentally the first birth)

I don't see how working out could be a bad thing. IMO it could only help physically and emotionally.

Message edited 11/15/2010 8:38:19 AM.

Re: Moms that worked out during their pregnancy - Can you come in?

I did yoga during the 2nd & 3rd tri's...and coupled with other things, I definitely think it helped during L&D.

Re: Moms that worked out during their pregnancy - Can you come in?

I was extremely active before I got pregnant and continued with cardio (elliptical and/or treadmill 3X per week) and weights (full body 2X per week) throughout my entire pregnancy. I am convinced it helped me. I was in labor for less than three hours.

I also think that it made it much easier to get back in shape after as well - I was in my pre-pregnancy clothes two weeks after having my DD.

Re: Moms that worked out during their pregnancy - Can you come in?

I walked about 2-3 miles 4 times a week and did prenatal yoga 2x a week.

I think the walking made me feel good and I believe the yoga helped tremendoulsy with labor and delivery. I had a quick labor, barely and drugs and a pretty big baby !

Re: Moms that worked out during their pregnancy - Can you come in?

thanks ladies!!

looks like I will be starting a workout routine.. not in the mood to do it, but reading all your responses inspired me.

thanks!

Re: Moms that worked out during their pregnancy - Can you come in?

Before pregnancy I worked out 6-7 days a week. Had a trainer 2x week.
During pregnancy, worked out the same just decreased the intensity a little bit. Worked out until the day I gave birth!!
Not sure if it helped with labor, but I like to think so!
Labored at home from 6am until 12pm. Got to hospital and was 9.5 cm!! DD was born vaginally at 3:50pm after 20 minutes of pushing!

Re: Moms that worked out during their pregnancy - Can you come in?

i didn't work out at the gym, but I did teach dance almost daily until the day I had both of my boys. I don't know if it helped with labor, I like to think so. But it certainly didn't help me keep the weight gain down. I gained 48lbs with #1 and 52lbs with #2.

Re: Moms that worked out during their pregnancy - Can you come in?

started out with kickboxing, but was too tired and couldn't keep up with it. Did the treadmill 4 or 5 times a week and walked outside almost everyday till the end (very slow walk)

I had a crash C, but the nurses were impressed how quickly I was up so it may have helped. I did have good energy and felt better about myself working out. I think it helped