Exsercise While Pregnant?

Updated on July 07, 2011
Y.F. asks from Escalon, CA
18 answers

I am a very active person and love to run and use the eleptical, I just found out that I'm pregnant I am afraid that in the first tri-mester I can miscarriage. How do I know what my limits are?

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T.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Most women can exercise as much as they want (especially in the beginning) but you NEED to check with your doctor, NOT US! We have no knowledge of your physical condition or health history.

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J.N.

answers from Salt Lake City on

As long as you aren't in a high risk category for miscarriage (ie already had several), if you've already been doing it, you should be able to continue (this from my doc when I got pregnant a few months ago). Just be conscious of your heartrate and don't let it go up into the high range, and make sure that you drink plenty to maintain hydration. Also listen to your body. Don't push things like you might otherwise. And when (if) morning sickness hits, don't feel bad about backing off until you feel better.

Also be aware of your body temperature. You want to keep it moderate right now - no saunas or steam rooms or hot tubs!

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A.F.

answers from San Francisco on

You need to check with your OB.

What my doctor was ok with may be different then what your OB would be comfortable with for you.

Congratulations!

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S.K.

answers from Sacramento on

Anything you did before you were pregnant on a very regular basis is fine to do while you are pregnant. You just don't want to try to increase any extreamly strenuous activity (like try to lift more weights). There are people who run their entire pregnancy (and to be honest exercise is really good for the baby and will help keep you in better shape to make your labor so much easier).

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A.O.

answers from Sherman on

If you are active you can remain doing everything until your body tells you to stop...you WILL know when. The more active you are the healthier pregnancy you'll have and the easier it will be to lose the baby weight after. I ran during all 3 of my pregnancy's until it became uncomfortable (even running 5 and 10k's) and then switched to rowing and the elliptical.

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T.H.

answers from Kansas City on

My doctor always said that if I was already doing it there was no reason to stop, but just don't start anything new. Run for as long as you are comfortable, eventually it will no longer be fun or relaxing for you! ;) On the other hand, you should pretty much be able to do the elliptical your entire pregnancy. With my first I was doing yoga and even at 9 months pregnant I was hanging upside down on the wall and she's just fine! Congratulations!!

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T.K.

answers from Dallas on

great advice so far. Listen to your body. There are some things you wont find enjoyable anymore. With aching back and breasts, frequesnt lightheadedness, needing to pee every 10 minutes, it kind of limits you! I enjoyed pregnancy yoga. It was very helpful. The breathing was relaxing. The stretching felt great and I think it helped me have easy births.

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T.L.

answers from St. Louis on

I would check with your doctor before doing anything too strenous.

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

You need to ask your Doctor. Your OB/GYN.
That is the bottom line.
Each person/pregnancy is different.
Only your Doctor can advise you.

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J.C.

answers from San Francisco on

Definitely check with your doctor. With my first pregnancy, I was able to run outdoors and on the elliptical for all 9 months - with no complications. She recommended not going past 40 minutes, but there were times I went 50 because I felt great and I wasn't breathing too hard. With my second, my doctor told me to stop all forms of exercise after my ultrasound (at the 20-wk mark) showed that I had placenta previa and I was carrying the baby really low. It is much harder to exercise now with my 3rd pregnancy because I've got 2 kids in tow, but when I do have the time to spare, I keep it light because I haven't been exercising regularly. What everyone says is true: check with the doc, and don't try anything new that you haven't done since before getting pregnant.

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E.S.

answers from Jacksonville on

I did the elliptical with my son until the day my water broke. You do want to make sure you stay hydrated and don't get over heated.

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A.H.

answers from Chicago on

Talk to your OB so he/she can clear you personally to exercise, but the only restrictions are any exercise that could cause you to either overheat or dehydrate, and you want to stay away from activities like kick-boxing where you could potentially rupture something (rare but has happened). Running, walking, eliptical should all be fine but again check with your doc first.

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J.G.

answers from Springfield on

In most healthy pregnancies there are no restrictions. Still, it's a good idea to talk to your OB. Make sure you are completely honest and upfront about your current routine. It's important that your OB have all the information.

Congratulations!

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M.A.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi, I think you should check with your doctor. My doctor told me that in the first trimester some women can go jogging, running and al and not have any complications while some can't, and eventually as the baby grows they go to simpler exercises, like stretching of the limbs and yoga...

M.M.

answers from Chicago on

If you're a runner already, you're fine to continue it.

You'll read all kinds of junk about needing to keep your heart rate below 140. It IS junk. Most OBs would tell you that they know little to nothing about the impact of exercise on pregnancy. The only thing that they know for sure, is that fitness makes for an easier delivery and quicker recovery.

I worked out through 2 pregnancies without every varying the intensity of my workouts (and they're intense) Running, weights, kickboxing, step aerobics. When you push yourself too hard, your body will tell you. And it will happen long before the baby is in any danger. Every day will be different. Sometimes you'll need to modify. Just listen to your body. It will tell you what's up.

A miscarriage happens largely because of genetic defects (or severe trauma to the uterus). It's highly unlikely that you could cause a miscarriage through working out.

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S.S.

answers from Cleveland on

Check with your doctor. He/she will likely say that as long as you were doing these types of excersie pre-pregnancy, you will be fine to do them during pregnancy. My doctor, and my trainer, both had me purchase a heart rate monitor and my heart rate was to stay below 75% of my max heart rate. Which, was between 130-140. I didn't stop training with the trainer until about two weeks ago - its just too hard to get dressed on my lunch break and then get back to work at this point - but she still kept me wiht my group, but changed my exercises, and I added a day of the eliptical to keep up the cardio. I also added walking nearly every day that I wasn't training. Numerous reading materials will tell you the more fit you are during pregnancy, the easier your labor will be. I'm sure no labor is easy - but it may be helpful to be in shape. We will see!!

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A.H.

answers from San Francisco on

Congratulations on your pregnancy!
I second the advice to check with your doc first.
The first trimester might be a good opportunity for you to transition into some other kinds of exercise that will be beneficial later in your pregnancy like swimming and yoga.
The best thing about these exercises is that they will keep you fit, supple AND help prepare you for labor.
I swam throughout both pregnancies, especially the second and was swimming 2 days before delivery. It feels amazing when you're really preggo as the water makes you feel weightless.

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R.J.

answers from Seattle on

Another vote for checking in with your doctor!

I can exercise and feel GREAT. And then I have about 10 minutes worth of warning to get to the hospital "Uh. Something isn't right." because my placenta rips away from the wall. I've almost bled out a few times. And lost the baby in every case. Took a few miscarriages to figure out what the problem was, for many reasons, not the least of which is that sometimes it happened first trimester, and sometimes second, and sometimes 3rd (the hardest). With my son I was on modified bedrest from the first positive pregnancy test to the end.

Most women are fine. Some, like me, aren't. Only your doctor is going to have a clue.

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