First Trimester Exercise

As much as you try, pregnancy will alter your exercise routine if you even have one to begin with. Generally it is still safe to continue exercising or participating in your extracurriculars. But it does depend on what they are. You will need to check wth your doctor. For example going to the gym, swimming, most sports are great to stay active and in shape. And you definitely want to stay active and be healthy when your pregnant. However there are some activities you should not partake in such as horseback riding or hot yoga. You can try to find alternatives. Let’s say for hot yoga, the heat is not healthy for you and the baby as well as stressful for your heart. But you can sign up for regular or prenatal yoga (always good to let your instructor know since they are few positions that could feel uncomfortable). Or activities like horseback riding when you are just going to have to wait. Better to be safe than sorry.

For high aerobic activities generally doctors will say they are okay to continue like running if you are body is already use to it such as you are an avid runner. However starting running when you are pregnant or training for a marathon would not be advised. Again always check with your doctor.

Another aspect to factor in is what you are going to be feeling. In the first trimester, fatigue is really going to hit, and you honestly may not have the energy to do so sometimes. And that’s okay. You can always go with short low intensity exercise like simply going for a walk few times a week for 20 minutes. With my first pregnancy, I continued to regularly go to the gym just didn’t push myself as I did before since I was not trying to loose weight just stay healthy & active. I also did prenatal yoga later in my pregnancy and I would definitely recommend it! I found such a great spot close to my house that did yoga in the evening at a time after work. The instructor was so wonderful. At the end of each class she would get us to do the legs up on the wall pose Viparita Karani amazing position when you are pregnant and you should do at home for 5 minutes with your heart elevated on a pillow. Releases tension and reduces swelling for your feet and legs. And she would come around and massage everyone’s head with lavender oil - heaven!

Even though I wasn't that excited about going - since I prefer more high intensity yoga - I ended up enjoying it much more than I thought. It was so relaxing and nice way to check out and not stress about anything!!
By my second pregnancy, I was already over my gym phase. Having a toddler at home was gym enough for me. Just did my own at home short exercises. I tried to find prenatal yoga, but unfortunately I could not find anything local that worked with my schedule.

With my third pregnancy, we just stopped going to the gym since we were in the process of relocating. Before that we loved going to the gym and would take the kids with us for their kids club. They loved it too. They got to play with other kids and toys etc. Wouldn’t go for long just over an hour. By the time we settled into the new house post renovations, I was already pretty pregnant, tired and going to the gym wasn’t something that enticed either of us. Already had enough going on! I would just focus on stretching at home whenever I remembered and if I made it with timing, would walk my older kid to school for cardio. I got it over with in the morning and my daughter loved it!

2013-11-03 14.37.37.jpg — Trail walks!

Walking being low impact exercise and fresh air what could be better

Another factor to consider when working out is how intense you are doing it. Generally physicians will say if your already used to doing certain exercises you should be able to continue it (try not to experiment too much in this phase). But your body is changing and you might not physically be able to do at the same level. You NEED to keep an eye on our heart rate. Use the machines at the gym to do so or get one of those fitbits. It’s important because your body inside may be working harder to do something you are usually use to. And that is what I found going to the gym with my first pregnancy. My heart rate would rise higher than usual. My OB recommended to keep it lower than 140, but I would double check with your healthcare provider.

Speaking of physical activity, sex is a perfectly safe one you can partake in with your partner. However, you may be surprised of how many men are wearisome at the beginning because they think they will somehow hurt the baby. NO your penis is not able to reach the baby. It is sometimes a bit of an adjustment period. Just getting used to the idea that there is someone growing inside of you while your having sex. But don’t worry, it will usually pass quickly- like how long can they deny sex for. Or your man has no issues to begin with at all.

The fatigue, new symptoms and hormones may hinder your limbido and that is perfectly normal. Or you both may be so excited about baby to be that it may increase it for a time. Either way, second trimester is always a positive thing to look forward to since you will feel better, have more energy and enjoy more the perks of being pregnant. Like not having your period….

The actual sex experience itself can be a little different when you are pregnant. Sometimes it is not really affected until your belly starts getting in the way by the third trimester. In some cases, certain positions can be uncomfortable and slightly painful. Completely normal. Just do what feels good to you, stick to positions that are not uncomfortable and take it slow. Your body is changing so much. Uterus is expanding putting pressure on different spots. More blood flow causing sensitivity. Things are getting swollen more easily down there so no reason to panic. Always let your doctor know (they have heard it many times before), but as long as it’s deemed safe, there is no reason to stop having sex - enjoy this time. You may just have to make little changes to make it more comfortable for you and thus better for your partner too. Also dryness can happen sometimes down there due to hormonal changes. No worries. Your man will just have to work a little harder to keep it lubricated. Or lube works too. And tell your partner to watch for the boobs. Playing with them is not the same when they are swollen and tender. All look no touch!