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1257199 tn?1277770517

Should I quit heavy exercise while pregnant???

So for any of you avid exercisers out there who are pregnant-what are you doing?  I have slowed down some just because I am so tired ( I am eleven weeks now) but haven't given up spin yet.  Today I felt really crampy especially when I hunched over.  I am wondering if I should stop altogether.  My doc said exercise could not induce a miscarriage, and everything I read says you can do what you did before pregnant, but I am worried.  Anyone experience cramping during exercise? What could this be?
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Avatar universal
I am almost 30 wks and still exercising quite a bit - just a little slower than I used to be. I'm 37, this is my first pregnancy, and I've had no complications, so my doctors just say to use common sense. Don't choose exercises that are high-impact or have a high risk of falling on your belly, keep the pace moderate - so you can still have a conversation, and stop if you feel pain.

Good luck with your pregnancy!!!
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1191262 tn?1366763021
Well not all sports are allowed. Be careful, some studies link heavy exercising with risks of miscarriage. Usually the advice is to go with mild exercise like walking, swimming and some aerobic exercising are also low impact on baby but still good on cardio...

Certain types of exercise, such as exercise that may cause bouncing, jarring, leaping, risks of sudden abdominal injury, or sudden directional changes should be avoided. These types of exercise, can create stress on your growing baby and on your body during this critical time.
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1257199 tn?1277770517
DoulaSummer-I am going to forego spin for awhile, as you say, because I was on bedrest with my son for seven weeks due to preterm labor.  I am however, going to continue to exercise, and listen to my body.  I guess its hard giving up something so important in my life, but nothing is more important than the safety of this baby.  Either way, I have some major dieting in my distant future lol!  
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1163675 tn?1274627512
Although exercise is great during pregnancy, not all exercise is safe for every woman during every pregnancy.  If you are having discomfort take it as your body communicating to you that it cannot take the rigorous activity anymore.  I wish all my clients would continue to exercise, but to continue after your body is giving you signals is not safe.

Excessive exercise has not shown to increase miscarriage risks, but has dramatically shown to increase premature labor.  I would try to slow it down a bit for a couple of weeks and then revisit the spin class.  If the cramping continues, it would be in the best interest of your unborn baby for you to skip the class until after the delivery.  There are many other activities you can do.
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1257199 tn?1277770517
Wow, thanks for the info..I will hit up those sites now.  Its encouraging to know that I'm doing something good for my baby.  So many people are treating me as if I'm being selfish for not giving up the gym.  Thanks again!
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231441 tn?1333892766
Hi,

whatever you did before pregnancy you can do during.  Exercise actually very good for you and baby, and won't induce miscarriage - unless there's some other major problem.  Principle of exercise during pregnancy is hydrate well, listen to your body, and modify the exercise so it stays comfortable.  Even intene exercise ok if you fopllow these principles.  A fit mummy gives a fit baby.

When your heart rate goes up your baby is exercising along with you.  This is a good thing.  Babies born to exercising mothers have been shown to be more adaptive and stress tolerant.  They are shown to be leaner, but not smaller (also a good thing).  the benefit of a fit and exercising mother has been shown to persist...

You can google this.  There's a doctor (his book is available at amazon) . Exercising Through Your Pregnancy, by James F. Clapp M.D. i found it to be excellent.

Read more at Suite101: Pregnancy Fitness for Athletes: Vigorous Exercise During Pregnancy is Safe and has Many Benefits http://prenatal-health.suite101.com/article.cfm/pregnancy_fitness_for_athletes#ixzz0nJZvMnfS

hope this helps
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