excersing while pregnant

[heatherlynn22]

i was wondering...is there any type of exercise that is better then another? i'm a big workoutaholic....i know there's a LOT of my exercises i can't do anymore....but which are good? i know crunches are ok up till a certain time as is running. but what about weights and that sort?

[Michele, Katy, TX]

My doc once told me just to do what my body was used to.  As long as you are not straining or lifting anything too heavy, you should be fine.

[ExpectingaRedhead]

You want to be careful with running and weights. When you are pregnant, your ligaments loosen and you are at a greater risk of hurting yourself. Obviously when you have a huge belly, you have to be careful that you don't lose your balance. My midwife told me about a woman she knew who was so proud of herself because she ran throughout all of her pregnancies, but after it was all said and done, she had to have two knee surgeries because of it. Anyway, weights are okay, as long as they are light. You are supposed to keep your heart rate below 140.

My midwife suggested that low impact exercises are best. Walking, swimming, elliptical. Just be careful!

[heatherlynn22]

oh geez....knee surgery would suck!!! i know once i start getting a belly to not run but walk. which i usually run and walk in the same day (gotta walk the puppies) and the weights (which i hate) are never really that heavy anyways...lighter weights with more reps = more body tone instead of mass. i wonder how long i'll be able to do my squats. lol. i'm gonna have so many questions for my ob/gyn.

oh and speaking of them...when should my first apt be? i have to call on monday but my friend said they don't see you until you're at least 8 wks preggers. is that true?

[Michele, Katy, TX]

My doc will see you with his first available appt.  He doesn't make you wait until you are so many weeks.  But one thing about this forum that you will learn.....Every doctor is different.  So what may be true for one person's doctor, may not be for the next.  I'd just call your doc and make an appt.  They will probably give you first available.  Congrats on your pregnancy!!

[ExpectingaRedhead]

It depends on your doctor's office. They will often ask you when your LMP was to figure out how far along you are and they will make an appointment based on that. Call your doc on Monday, they may have you come in to confirm pregnancy.

[heatherlynn22]

hmmmm i didn't know that. i'll def have to give him a call monday. do they do blood tests or urine tests to confirm? that's the only thing i'm not looking forward to is all the blood draws...(i'm terrified of needles)

[ExpectingaRedhead]

Hmmm...when I went for my first appointment, they did both a urine and a blood test. I remember them filling up at least 6 or 7 little viles of blood because they tested for pregnancy as well as STD's and some other stuff.

When you do the glucose test, you will have to get your blood drawn again, but that doesn't happen until around 28 weeks. :)

Just turn your head.  :)

[LRBee]

heatherlynn I am in the same boat! I am TERRIFIED of needles, even the very thought of them makes me sick (like barfing, passing out sick). I know it's ridiculous but I can't help it.  I don't know what I'm going to do when I have my first official OB appointment!