Exercising early in pregnancy OK?

[Anonymous]

I am only 3 weeks pregnant and haven't met with my doctor yet so I just wanted to see what most women do before I meet with my doctor. How many of you continue to exercise (running, step classes, elliptical, etc.) early in pregnancy. I had stopped for the past few weeks because it was so early that I didnt want to disturb anything with all the bounciness of cardio, but I want to know how many of you continued to do cardio through pregnancy.
Thanks Ladies!

[Anonymous]

I didn't figure out I was pregnant until I was about 7-8 weeks along. What made me take the pregnancy test was how exhausted I was when I was working out. I think you are fine right now especially if you have been active before getting pregnant. Pretty much within a few weeks of the positive test, I had to almost stop exercising completely because I was so nauseous and tired.

Congrats on your pregnancy!

[Anonymous]

How are you counting the three weeks? From your missed period, ovulation, last period? I ask because normally it's counted from your last period (not the missed one), and most women don't even know when they're three weeks pregnant because they're just implanting at three weeks and wouldn't have a positive pregnancy test yet. So if you're counting three weeks from your missed period, you're probably more like 7 weeks, in which case it may be time to see a doctor anyway, and you can ask them. Most women are able to continue exercising. But you should talk to your doc.

[zumbamama]

I've had preggers in my Zumba class up until the 3rd trimester. As long as Dr okays it, and you pay attention to your intensity level and modifying where needed, exercise is great for you and baby.

[Anonymous]

I am a runner and exerciser and someone who definitely took it easier than I probably needed to in the first trimester, in terms of exercising. I was so nervous (it's my first pregnancy) that I slowed down in spin class and on the elliptical machine, and I tended to do run/walks instead of straight runs. You really need to just listen to your body, don't let your mind and anxiety take over. There was an article in the NY Times a few months ago that addressed the issue of exercising when pregnant, and it said something like that the limits on heart rate and exercise were really not based on any scientific analysis, but just guesses as to what's best when pregnant and giving several doctors' perspectives. I mean, I'm not a doctor, and I would talk with your doctor, but I definitely can tell you that they'll all say that exercise (if you've been doing it pre-pregnancy) is good, as long as you feel good.

[Anonymous]

Agree with PPs. For most women who were physically active before the pregnancy, it is fine (and is even suggested) to keep exercising. There are instances though when exercise isn't good, that's why you should talk to your doctor. I also agree that you are probably more than 3 weeks along - usually the only women who would know this early on are those who have IVF or other fertility treatments and are closely monitored. Good luck with your pregnancy and congratulations.

[Anonymous]

I think moderate exercise is fine, but there was some hoopla a few months ago w/ this study:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17877774?ordinalpos=4&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

[Anonymous]

I was a runner and ran 7 miles, five days a week and continued to do so through my first two trimesters. It just got too uncomfortable in my third trimester, or I would have continued.

[Anonymous]

I think exercise is great, but I want to share my personal experience. i am a runner and ran in the first trimester of two pregnancies. I miscarried both. I saw a specialist who thought exercising could have exacerbated a hormonal problem, thus contributing to the miscarriages. I went on progesterone and he recommended I cut back on exercising. (He thought I was exercising excessively. I strongly disagreed but cut back anyway. (I think i was running about 18 miles a week.) I carried my next pregnancy to term, although it's hard to say whether exercising was a factor or not.

[Anonymous]

I was just about to post a similar question--hope no one minds if I add another. I am five weeks pregnant and had been excercising for a few months prior to conception to drop some pounds. I am now doing a 30 minute routine where I run for five and walk on an incline for five etc. for the 30 minutes--I am at no time completely out of breath but I am a little sweaty i.e. it's nowhere near when I run outside for a few miles where I have the "oh god please let this end before I throw up" so.. I am wondering what does it mean to work out lightly?? Does this mean you can't sweat because you body temp is too high or do a lot of moms who work out continue to do so and get a little sweaty but just not totally out of breath??

Sorry for the long question.

[Anonymous]

I think this is a question for your doc, but in my case my doc said it was fine to continue exercising. I did so (elliptical, hand weights) until my 3rd trimester when I just got too tired! Good luck and congrats.

[LRP]

I'm at week 23 and have continued exercising through my pregnancy except for when I was just too tired. My doctor said maintaining my pre-pregnancy routine was not only fine, but better than giving up exercise. The only thing I've given up has been sit-ups, and that was around month 4.

I think a good rule of thumb is to do no more than you did before and stop working out before you are totally exhausted.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the PPs who advised to check with your doctor. I ran throughout my pregnancy, but reduced my mileage in the third trimester. It really helped me. One thing to make sure is to watch your hydration; extra water is essential.