Whats Safe and Unsafe:Fitness

Is it okay to go swimming while pregnant?

Comments: Whats Safe and Unsafe - Fitness

Comments 1 to 8 of about 8.

mochas4me - 721 days ago.
I just started zumba and love it but i also just found out i'm pregnant. i know my heart rate gets way above 140 and there is alot of jumping and twisting. do i really have to stop or is it ok until i gain weight?

se06tu - 734 days ago.
Hello, my name is Stephanie Elliott and I am a student at Brock University. I am doing a research project looking at exercise behaviours in women during pregnancy and would appreciate your participation in this study. It is a short survey that will take approximately 15 minutes of your time, and is completely anonymous and for academic purposes only. For more information and to complete the survey, please follow this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CPF8BN5

mommalynch - 880 days ago.
Regarding my previous comment, here is an article from WebMD concerning the heart rate topic. Lots of good information here. http://www.webmd.com/baby/features/exercise-during-pregnancy-myth-vs-fact

mommalynch - 880 days ago.
140bpm is not a hard workout for me at all. I typically will do ~45 minutes on an elliptical at about 75-80% exertion which takes my heart rate to ~175. I have read a few sources that indicate that heart rate is not necessarily the basis to judge exercise exertion, but moreso that you can exercise aiming for a % exertion target even if that takes the heart rate over 140. It was suggested that the 140 hr problem was a more outdated thought. Personally, the physiology of the reasoning seems faulty to me. If blood is able to circulate throughout the body and perfuse all extremities and capillary beds, it should be perfusing the placenta and baby just fine as well. There is always blood circulating through that, always blood getting to the baby. Its not like a higher heart rate STOPs blood flow, or creates gaps- it is a closed system through the body. It is always flowing foward, rate is unimportant. Blood pressure seems like a bigger concern to me.

Lissie - 1013 days ago.
I was running before I got pregnant and through part of the first trimester but I was SO tired and fatigued and sick all of the time that I stopped! Oh, well, I get on the elliptical sometimes and plan to return to running as soon as my body is ready after delivery! I hope I don't break my tailbone this time!!! It still hurts from my first pregnancy!!! Also, my hips felt 'loose' and the muscle and joints too in the groin after delivering my last baby. I wonder how long it will take to be comfortable running this time?? I hope it will not take too long!

Lissie - 1013 days ago.
I think it is important to keep your heart rate below 140 throughout the pregnancy. That is what I was taught in school. You want to make sure you are not taking the blood flow from the baby.

dazieoo - 1107 days ago.
Okay.... Is it only during the first trimester that it's important to keep your heartrate below 140? I used to run a lot... but i got so parinoid about raising my heart rate to much I took it easy for a while.... and I think my heartrate is increasing naturally.... now a brisk walk can raise it to 130... except i really don't feel like Im getting much of a work out doing that. Should I just not jog until the baby is born?

EvaV - 1194 days ago.
I have never monitored my heartrate while exercising and did not while trying to conceive. Prior to becoming pregnant I ran 40 miles a week in addition to my normal active lifestyle- hiking, biking, kayaking, skiiing. I had no problems getting pregnant. I wouldn't stress about it. Enjoy your intense workouts while you still can. 11 weeks PP and still a slug.