I’ve
been talking to a number of women recently about exercise they did at different
stages of pregnancy. One thing that’s come up over and over is that many didn't
feel up to doing anything at all in those first few months never mind
continuing with their daily run or yoga class. In fact the only sport many were
engaging in was sprinting to the toilet bowl for a hug and some projectile
vomiting. Better than nothing but not great for maintaining cardiovascular
fitness.
It
was often the case that these women planned to get back into it when they felt
a little better in the second trimester. Unfortunately this didn’t always work
out as planned. If you have let your routine go for a few months, you have to
start from scratch, unfit and usually heavier and with all sorts of quirky pregnancy
induced body changes to deal with. Another issue with re-starting exercising mid-pregnancy
is the exercise during the first trimester is the best time to stimulate placental
growth making it safer for the baby when you exercise later in pregnancy by
ensuring an enhanced blood supply.
But
there is more at stake here. If you stop exercising, a good habit is
discontinued. We all have good and bad habits but this is not a habit to break,
no matter how hard it may seem. Many women get out of the habit of exercising during
pregnancy and sadly never go back. Anyone would find it hard to go back to exercise
after such an extended break but for a pregnant woman there’s an extra
dimension - you now have junior hanging out of you! How the hell are you going
to get out now if you didn’t manage without this helpless baby depending on
you? The answer is to do all you can not to break the habit on the first place.
If your hubby is used to you disappearing and coming back all sweaty, it won’t
be so much of an adjustment for him to see you to continue to do so, as you
smoothly transition into exercising-mom from pregnant-sweaty-woman. You can
assure him you are doing it for him, so he and junior can have quality one to
one time. He won’t be so reluctant to let you out if he’s accustomed to you
disappearing. Be prepared for the odd panicky phone call in those first few
weeks though, where he freaks out at having to change a nuclear nappy!
If
you’re finding it hard to keep up the exercise in early pregnancy try something
different like going to the gym, a spinning class, swimming or back off on the
intensity. For sure you will feel better for it and it will set you up for the
rest of your pregnancy. So fight the urge to cling to the toilet bowl, it will
be there for more hugs when you get back!
