question for a pregnant friend

[smallmovesal]

my friend who's pregnant wants to get back to the gym when her doctor gives her the ok... she'll likely be in her 14th week. what kinds of excercises will be ok for her to do? she usually lifts, but should she change her routine at all? should she change her crunches at all?

 

[BrickGirl]

I loved my pregnent time, I got as big as I could, I tried not move at all It was great

 

[tripleV]

Don't know from experience.

However, there are some ladies on here that could tell ya.

Can her doctor not recommend some exercises too?

 

[ann]

Yes, make sure she talks to her doctor. I wasnt gyming it the times I was pregnant, but did walk religiously. Walking is definetly wonderful for her.....gets the oxygen flowing nicely to the bambino. I am not so sure about crunches and such......and she might want to stick to the pink dumbells But hopefully her doctor can fill her in on what she is capable of , as she grows

 

[ann]

Poohbear can probably answer some of that also....since she is expecting.

 

[poohbear]

She definitely need to talk to her doctor before working out. Crunches can be done up to the 8 or 9th month, but after the 1st trimester, the position of the crunches CANNOT be done in the horizontal supine position. Having access to a bench step with several risers on one side will help her elevate her chest. At that late stage, she needs approval from her doctor. The reason for not doing abs during the later trimesters is that it cuts circulation of the uterus and can cause nerves of the spine to be crushed causing a temporary loss of leg functions. There's nothing like trying to get up and your legs falling from under you. Another for not bother doing abs after the 1st trimester is that the abdominal muscles will stretch to fit the size of the baby regardless of how much toning you do. It's important to know that the baby needs the room to move around. Trying to tone the muscles around the belly will only restrict his space.

Kegel exercises are a good thing. They help strengthen the uterus and the hoo-hoo. Forgive me if I start talking in a non-scientific, unanalytical manner. I'm starting to get sleepy again
... anyhow, pregnant women tend to lose control of their urination, esp. when the baby gets bigger. Squeezing the pelvic area will help control the pee. This can be done by non-pregnant women as well. I hear that men love the feeling of having their member squeezed during intercourse. So, anyways, say you sit on the potty getting ready to pee............. WAIT... don't go, yet. Just hold it for 5 seconds. Let some out and squeezed it off and hold it again for 10 seconds. Let go and stop it again one more time. Since pregnant women tend to visit the potty every 20 minutes (sometimes less), they'll be able develop their thingy in a short period of time. I'm proud to say that I can hold it for about a minute and stop mid-stream.
Refrain from using the valsalva maneuver. That will definitely cause her to pass out. Heart rate should not exceed 140 bmp. The baby needs the oxygen more than she does. Do some form of aerobic exercise to keep the heart strong. By the end of her term, she would have gained 20-30 lbs and that could take a toll on the heart. If she's going to lift, eliminate overhead lifts after 1st trimester. It's really important to hydrate. The water will help maintain a comfy temperature for the baby, as well as for the mother. Never go on a diet. Eat whatever, but stay away from caffein, sweetners, and limit excess sugar and salt.
One thing to keep in mind is that exercise during pregnancy is not a guarantee that the pregnancy or labor is going to be much easier.

I'm sure there are more contraindications to write about, but I can't think right now.

best of luck to you.. err your friend

 

[Phemomena]

haha... she said hoo-hoo...


i'll just add to this (although i am the mother only to two adopted kittens, so take it for what it's worth)...

i'd avoid exercises that involve bearing down, if you will... especially getting into the later stages... (probably not too safe and if you don't hurt anything you'll liable to leave a puddle... well if your hoo-hoo isn't up to par sorry, i'll stop now )

this would include leg press, squats, probably deadlifts... you know most of those lower body-type exercises

ummm... i believe that's all i know on the subject...

 

[smallmovesal]

HELL NO it isn't me that's pregnant!

i want kids... in ten years!

 

[ladyhawk25]

OK, from my experience of having 2 kids , my doc told me not to lift anything real heavy , but do alot of walking , and light weights , no situps and drink plenty , plenty of water !!!!! and she said the reason for all that is cause you can miscarry the child for putting to much stress on your womb .

 

[vixenbabe]

Of course her doctor needs to give her his blessings on any routine. WE EACH ARE DIFFERENT !

I kept VERY active at the gym until my 7th month(I ran into some prob's)

His advice to me, since I was in somewhat good shape, was to do what I felt comfortable with - NO HEAVY LIFTING THOUGH!

I modified my routine to mostly upper and VERY limited lower body workouts.Bri was my first and did not want to chance anything! THAT IS JUST ME THOUGH! I'm a worrier!

She will be happy in the long run that she has kept active during this time!!!!! SOOOOO IMPORTANT!