I drastically decreased the intensity of my workout during my first trimester because miscarriage is most common during that period.

In my second trimester i resumed more rigorous weight training and running but followed my midwife's instruction to monitor my heart rate and keep it below 140. This precaution was taken to avoid stressing the fetus whose heart rate is always faster then the mother's.

Recent studies have shown that bursts of rapid heart rate experienced during exercise do not adversley affect the fetus. Exercising and staying fit will actually aid in the birthing process and recovery post partum. It is extremely important to stay hydrated and avoid overheating during workouts.

Although I was fit before and during pregnancy, I did not excersize at my pre pregnancy intensity because my large belly was awkward and also pressed on my diaphragm which made me short of breath and tire more quickly.

My first and only daughter was born and remains happy and healthy.I labored only 6 hours and did not tear or get hemroids. I have no stretch marks and have returned to my prepregnancy size in less than 3 months.

I am a marathoner and triathlete. I continued running in my first trimester, but stopped after 12 weeks. I continue to do other forms of aerobic exercise throughout pregnancy but moniter my heart rate and keep it below 140. I also life weights, but reduce the amount by about 30-40%. As a physician assistant, I am fully aware of the benefits of exercise during pregnancy and have delivered 2 healthy full-term boys and am 36 weeks into my 3rd pregnancy. Exercise and eating a healthy diet are imperative to a healthy pregnancy and successful return to prepregnancy weight in a reasonable time frame. Women who gain too much weight are at an increased risk of several medical problems and have a more difficult time with delivery.

I was unable to exercise at all during my first pregnancy and at 24 weeks into my second have been advised not to as well due to short stature (I'm 5 ft tall) which has exacerbated ligament stretching and sciatic pain. I've also not been much of an exerciser in the last few years but had been going to the gym for several months before my current pregnancy.

While there are known benefits to exercise during pregnancy it's just not possible for everyone - and not exercising does NOT mean that you are destined to have problems during labor - I had my first child within 5 hours of going into labor at home - my water broke at home on it's own and after 3 1/2 hours in the hospital I had a beautiful baby girl. There were some complications due to shoulder dystocia and the cord being around the baby's neck - but absolutely NOTHING to do with not exercising and everything to do with my short stature. I recovered quickly and was out of the hospital within 24 hours of delivering.

I also doubt that not tearing has anything to do with exercising or not exercising and that not having stretch marks is all because of exercise - although that can help since it would likely prevent gaining excessive weight. It depends on your skin type and your body type. I'm so short that my baby had no where to go but out - I looked like I had swallowed 3 basketballs... and I only gained 11 lbs. You are bound to get stretch marks under conditions like that. I also have the type of skin that just seems to stay dry - even with drinking plenty of fluid and using cocoa butter cream every day. Some people are luckier than others when it comes to that.

All-in-all... if you can't exercise you shouldn't feel bad about it or like a failure - or that you are destined for a bad labor experience. Just eat right and do everything that is within your power to have a healthy pregnancy. If you can exercise - then get out there and do it... even if it's just a nice stroll in the afternoon.

Best Regards!

Leighann

I exercised during my whole pregnancy by doing water aerobics and walking. I felt good but still got terrible hemmeroids and gained a lot of weight. However I did return to pre-pregnancy weight within 2 months after giving birth to my second child. I think you should do whatever you feel comfortable with. I found exercising to be a great stress reducer during pregnancy.

I am at 18 weeks and have continued to exercise throughout. I typically do yoga twice a week, stationary bike once a week, circuit training one day and I take a walk for about 20 minutes during workdays. The specifics of my routine have been seriously modified to keep my heart rate down. My shortness of breathe doesn't help much either. Mainly, I just do what feels right for me. I used to use the eliptical machine (pre-pregnancy), but my heartrate got too high for that. I feel great about my level of exercise and feel healthy doing what I am doing. I think that we know our bodies better than we think we do. Each person is going to be different, so now is the time to do what feels right for you and your baby. The most important thing to remember is that you are no longer exercising to keep your weight down, but just to be healthy.

I love to run and completed two 5k's in my first trimester. I haven't stopped running, and I am now 18 weeks pregnant. I feel great and haven't had a single problem with my pregnany. I has been the best stress reliever for me, and hope to get right back to running after I deliver

I think it's important to keep fit during pregnancy, but you should keep at a level you're used to. Don't try to all of a sudden do more than you did before, and be prepared to slowly decrease intensity as the pregnancy goes on.
I was a "part time runner" before pregnancy, but because I felt too tired to do much during the first trimester, I never took up running again once I was feeling better. Instead, I started to go for brisk walks, which is also kinder on my joints and didn't feel so uncomfortable to my now growing belly. I get winded and tired more easily now that I'm 8 months along, but I try to keep up walking at a comfortable pace a few times a week.

And just a word on statistics and recommendations... women who keep fit during pregnancy do generally have an easier time during delivery and post-partum, and often have easier pregnancies as well. However, that statement doesn't mean that not exercising means you will without fail run into problems. Problems just tend to be more likely.
Just like (non-pregnant) people should eat a good diet and exercise regularly to keep healthy doesn't mean someone who doesn't follow these rules will become overweight and die of heart problems. The odds of that happening are just bigger.

So if exercise is recommended, you should try to do what you can, but not beat yourself up if you can't. And having a healthy child, an easy pregnancy and birth is quite possible "despite" not exercising. It's statistical odds these statements talk about, not individual cases.

I am 19 weeks pregnant and am currently continuing my pre-pregnancy exercise regime. I exercised throughout my first two pregnancies and plan to continue through this one. Currently I use the eliptical, I walk, use the stationary bide, and lift weights. My lifting routine is being altered as my belly continues to grow because some of the machines are not conducive to a protruding belly. I believe that exercise during my first two pregnancies resulted in a very short labor, no stretch marks, as someone else indicated, and a quick return to pre-pregnancy size.

I continued running throughout my pregnancy, which included a half marathon (6 weeks) and a 5k race (24 weeks).
As my belly grew my pace and distance decreased, however, I was still running up to 6 miles at a time until the end. I ran 5 miles the day before I went into labor. I made sure to drink plenty of fluids, take in sufficient calories and watch my body temp. I gained a healthy weight (28 lbs) and my beautiful baby boy was a hearty 8lb 7oz and 21 in at birth! I experienced a very comfortable pregnancy. The best part is 3 weeks postpartum I am only 4 lbs over my pre-pregnancy weight- I attribute that to staying fit.

I used to run fairly regularly before pregnancy (loved 5ks and would do a 1/2 marathon once a year). I ran throughout the 1st trimester, but had to switch to other exercises due to pain in my pelvic floor. I advise other pregnant women to listen to their bodies and realize that it is ok to modify or stop a workout if something doesn't feel quite right.