Gym and Pregnancy

I am in the same boat as you, I joined up to this awesome deal through work and the next week i found out I was pregnant...
Went along to the assesment etc and told them that I was pregnant and they have recommended I just go slow and they will track my weight / measurements and then do a plan for once baby is born....
They said to just listen to my body and just try and get a bit more fit rather then train for a marathon!!
I haven't been back since I have to admit!!

It's all up to you though, my gym have said they can put my membership on hold if I like... But I know how unfit I am and with being fit for #1 and still having probs I'd hate to see what I am like unfit with #2!!

So in short it is up to you, with a m/w note most gyms will put payments and membership on hold for up to 12 months and you can still walk around the block etc if you want some fresh air
Ramble over!!

If you are going to go, you should check and see if they have a staff member who is trained in pregnancy exercises. With the relaxin being released into your system, it is VERY easy to do yourself an injury and you wont know till it's too late. They say you should be able to continue exercise that you did before you fell, but introducing new things during can sometimes cause problems as your body just isn't used to it.

When you get further along, incorrect posture and exercises can do things like causing the abdominal muscles to come away from the wall etc.

I put my back out badly early on simply by lifting a bag of shopping out of the car boot. You have to stay active of course, spending 40 weeks on the couch is a very bad idea but there are ways to do it so your body adjusts and doesn't injure itself. Just be careful. Many Gym staff don't understand about pregnancy and think that just taking it easy is ok when often it isn't.

I don't think you're being precious at all, especially after having three miscarriages! If it were me I would definitely be trying to put the membership on hold. I recommend aqua jogging to anyone and everyone lol - I've been doing it since about 20 weeks and am still doing it now for an hour at a time. No chance of straining anything, you keep nice and cool so no overheating, and it is just so relaxing being in the pool

Also to me, if I'm going to the gym I want to go hard and make the most of it, if I'm going to do gentle stuff I feel like I might as well save my money and go for a walk instead IYKWIM.

I am a personal trainer (well was before my maternity leave) and if you came to me for a programme with your history I would only recommend walking or pool work. I agree with Danaj that a lot of trainers aren't educated enough about exercise during pregnancy and I have to admit until going through it myself I never knew just how much it affects your body and workouts. For a lot of women they can just lower the intensity of their pre-pregnancy workouts and they'll be fine - in saying that I was very fit and healthy when I got pregnant, worked out in what I thought was a safe way and ended up with high blood pressure and induced at 36 weeks with an IUGR baby - whether my workouts were a factor who knows but I think next time I'll take it a lot more easy and would recommend the same to others. At the end of the day though everyone is different and you have to listen to your own body.

(Huge congrats by the way )

Thanks ladies, I think I've made the right decision. Now to wait for the gym to ring me back...

I think I'll make some enquiries at our local pool instead.

ETA: Well gosh, looks like anything at the pool is out unless it's normal things (shallow water aquarobics or deep water aquarobics with a buoyancy belt) - the only pre and post-natal classes they have are from 10.30am - 11.15am tw days a week!!

Edited by minik8e

I don't go to aqua classes I just do laps with the aqua jogging belt on

I loooved aqua jogging I was doing it up until a week before a had the girls. It was a great work out thats easy on your joints and it feels so great to be weightless in the water.

Thanks ladies, the gym has put my membership on hold (I just have to decide how long for). I figured it's the best option for me. I will look into doing something at the pool, the reason I was looking at classes is because we don't have a lot of choice when it comes to pools, and I know how difficult it can be to get a space to yourself at our one!! But I might try and find out when the quietest time is and go then.

The only reason I knew about it being able to be put on hold is because I saw it on their website - so I emailed them. They usually put it on hold for 1-3 months though, which is no good for me, but they said they'll work with me. It does cost $15 a month to put it on hold though - definitely a money making venture!! I haven't needed a certificate yet, but possibly will when I say I want it put on hold until after bubs is born...

The one here has no Mum-to-be anything, there are classes for after bubs is born though. There doesn't seem to be a lot of anything here in NP for Mums to be really, they're all during work hours.

its a pre and post natal class btw