pregnancy and max hr

[RoadRaven]

although later it turns into more of a waddle-jog

LOL... a joggle or a waggle... a wag or a wog... or a jaddle or a woggle...

[slinkedog]

I will just insert a comment of caution because I've gone through miscarriage and I don't want anyone else to have to experience the pain and feelings of guilt that I went through. I also had preterm labor with my second child.

Vigg, everyone will tell you to listen to your body, and you should, but also give a listen to your OB, because Baby can't really tell you what's going on in there. I got pregnant (not planned) and we traveled to my husband's family's home in Indiana. I don't think I did anything to hurt my baby, but I have heard, "don't travel on a plane in your first trimester." Don't know if it's true, but I always wonder if I did something that caused my baby to die. The baby had a good heartbeat until the day I lost it. I felt absolutely fine until I started bleeding.

I just wanted to say that pregnancy is relatively short and you will be able to start vigorous exercise again soon after you deliver. In any case, I hope you have a healthy and easy pregnancy! Congratulations!

[aliceanne]

I'm quasi-medical; while not technically qualified yet to give advice to others, I'll offer up a few words.

This article seems to contain pretty sound advice:

http://www.velonews.com/train/articles/3767.0.html

And please remember that as long as you don't drink/smoke/do drugs, etc., most problems with pregnancy and childbirth aren't due to anything that you do directly to your baby or yourself - they're due to subtle genetic defects that you can't do anything about. So enjoy your pregnancy and keep riding at a reasonable pace - best of luck!

[vigg]

I don't think I did anything to hurt my baby, but I have heard, "don't travel on a plane in your first trimester." Don't know if it's true, but I always wonder if I did something that caused my baby to die. The baby had a good heartbeat until the day I lost it. I felt absolutely fine until I started bleeding.

Slinkdog: Every reputable source out there contends that travel by plane is perfectly safe until about 36 weeks (or whenever your OB says), and even then it's more to do with the possibility of going into labor while in midair than anything else. Rest assured, regardless of your symptoms, the miscarriage was not your fault. You may have already read that most 1st trimester miscarriages are due to genetic defects, not anything we can control. The best we can do is treat ourselves well with good food, rest, and EXERCISE, which is becoming easier to do while maintaining a 140 max, due, I think, to increasing overall blood volume and cardiac output!
Best, Vigg

[Duck on Wheels]

I don't think I did anything to hurt my baby, but I have heard, "don't travel on a plane in your first trimester." Don't know if it's true, but I always wonder if I did something that caused my baby to die. The baby had a good heartbeat until the day I lost it. I felt absolutely fine until I started bleeding.

Thought I'd let the medical experts among us weigh in on this one first, but since they've been quiet I'll put my 2c in: I have never heard anything about not flying in the first trimester, only about not flying the last month (which is probably because the crew don't want the stress of an in-flight delivery, or the clean-up job on the seat after). What I have heard is that maybe as many as 75% of conceptions end in a first trimester spontaneous abortion, often before you even know about them. I've had two I'm pretty sure of, but also two gorgeous kids I'm absolutely sure of.

I also know that all those tricks we were told could help us abort if we needed it, back in the Stone(hearted) Age when only the rich could get safe abortions ... they don't work. There is basically nothing you can do to abort a fetus that's meant to stay, short of just about killing yourself or getting an out and out abortion. Jumping off chairs? Hot and cold baths? Enemas? Flying in planes? Fohgeddaboutit.

You were fit. You did nothing that would endanger your own life or that of the fetus. I know guilt feelings know no logic, but if it is within your power to lay them behind you, go ahead and do so. With all of our blessings.

[hsmpcycle]

Hey Vigg,

I am currently 37 weeks pregnant and have been riding my bicycle throughout my pregnancy. I ran into the same problem you did with the doctor suggesting that I stay within 140 bpm. Like you, I questioned this and looked for alternative answers.

I did intensive research at the library and found a book about professional athletes excercising while pregnant (I currently don't remember the name of the book). In this book the doctor/author said that many doctors out there have never really taken the time to study pregnant women and exercise. Because there is so much lack of information and research, doctors play it easy/safe by suggesting 140. This doctor/author did the research and found that if a woman is active before preganancy, she can continue this type of activity while pregnant, but not as intense. He concluded that the average heart rate for an active pregnant woman should be 145-160 for 30 - 50 min. Since a vast majority of women don't workout or are just starting to exercise while pregnant, their heart rate should be maintained betweeen 130-140.

He also concluded that though babies that were born to active mothers were slightly smaller, they were stronger (less likely to get sick, etc.) and more intelligent than babies of mothers that did minimal or no exercise (this is not why I chose to continue riding, but it is another great benefit). The other important factor is that you MUST eat at least 500 calories more than the average pregnant diet and drink a lot of water.

After finding this out, I presented my doctor with the information that I found, and we both concluded that I must start my rides off at a slow and steady pace for 10 min. keeping my heart rate at 135, then slowing increasing it every 10 min. By the time I get to 50 min., I average about 150-160. I did this till my 3rd trimester, and then my doctor told me I MUST put the bike on a stationary unit, because of the risk of falling. I found the stationary part HORRIBLE at this time, because I have been feeling more pressure in my pelvic region and it has been very painful. I currently walk, but maybe twice a week I will sneak in a 30 min. ride.

Another bonus, I don't have a problem with water retention, backaches are non-existent, and I have kept my weight gain under control.

I hope this helps.

[limewave]

Hi Vigg,

I was able to cycle throughout my entire pregnancy, however, I did have to take it easy. My ob/gyn happens to be a marathon runner and keeps up on the latest pg and exercise information. She wasn't concerned with my hr, but body temp and staying hydrated.

Pregnant women tend to dehydrate more quickly than normal. It's very, very important to have water and gatorade before going on a ride and to drink often during the ride--bring 2 water bottles. Plus, make sure you are getting enough calories to support the pg and the workout.

I also went from riding with the "B" to the "C" group. When you're pregnant, it's about maintaining fitness, not increasing it.

Good luck with your PG! I hope cycling helps you through. It was my saving grace. I even managed a 30 mile bike tour 4 days before delivery. I was also able to recover from delivery very quickly and was even able to wear my normal clothes home from the hospital. I credit all that to cycling.

Take care!

p.s. invest in some x-large cycling shorts (in my case it was mens xx-large, so they would fit comfortably over my belly)

[limewave]

hsmpcycle---
I didn't have a problem with backaches or water retention either during my pregnancy. Only the last two days did I start to ache and waddle.

[Pedal Wench]

Never been, but it was always my impression that the heart rate and temperature issues weren't about you, but about the baby. YOUR heart can handle it, but the baby can't.

[slinkedog]

Thought I'd let the medical experts among us weigh in on this one first, but since they've been quiet I'll put my 2c in: I have never heard anything about not flying in the first trimester, only about not flying the last month (which is probably because the crew don't want the stress of an in-flight delivery, or the clean-up job on the seat after). What I have heard is that maybe as many as 75% of conceptions end in a first trimester spontaneous abortion, often before you even know about them. I've had two I'm pretty sure of, but also two gorgeous kids I'm absolutely sure of.

I also know that all those tricks we were told could help us abort if we needed it, back in the Stone(hearted) Age when only the rich could get safe abortions ... they don't work. There is basically nothing you can do to abort a fetus that's meant to stay, short of just about killing yourself or getting an out and out abortion. Jumping off chairs? Hot and cold baths? Enemas? Flying in planes? Fohgeddaboutit.

You were fit. You did nothing that would endanger your own life or that of the fetus. I know guilt feelings know no logic, but if it is within your power to lay them behind you, go ahead and do so. With all of our blessings.

Hey Duck! Somehow I missed this response. Thanks for your reassuring words. You're right that guilt knows no logic. It does, however, need a reality check every once in a while. Thanks for giving me one.

[hsmpcycle]

The book is called: Exercising Through Your Preganancy by James F. Clapp III. M.D.

Here is a description of what it is about:

Based on case studies of women who exercised regularly before, during, and after pregnancy, this resource examines the effects of exercise on women and their children. This broad and detailed resource lays to rest the controversies surrounding pregnancy and exercise, shedding new light on the positive interactions of exercise, health, fitness, and pregnancy. This guide enables both expecting mothers and health professionals to develop rational, objective, and individualized approaches to exercise and pregnancy care.

http://www.amazinglyfit.com

[Lenusik]

Vigg,
We are on the same page. I found a wonderful site where you can read about working out and heart rate. [url]http://www.babyfit.com/ 140 is just a guideline, the real heart rate max is different for everybody. You are not new to exercise, so keep on riding. They recommend women who did not do anything before pragnancy to subtract your age from 220 and then take 70% of that. This number would be your max heart rate. But if you are already fit and have done plenty of exercise, your target heart rate can be higher.

[vigg]

Hi Everybody,
I've been off this list for a while and just checked back to see some additional recomendations. Thanks to all. I have already read James Clapp's book cover to cover, and have spoken with a partner from the same group as my OBgyn who recomended support belts should the cycling become a balance issue and I need to switch to running. While I have yet to meet an OBgyn who will explicitly say that 140 is an arbitrary number for someone who's been excercising at higher hr.s for years, I've got enough info under my belt to listen to my own body.
I'm just finishing my 21st week and 140 is becoming an easier guideline to stick to. Anything beyond that and I begin to feel like I'm "breathing for two." Although amazingly still, after a significant warm-up I still comfortably exceed 140 without even realizing it.
To hsmpcycle, thanks for your advice and if you've already had your baby congratulations! I can't wait to meet mine.
Vigg

[ladyfish]

I think Limewave has it pretty right. If you are fit before pregnancy and exercise regularly, then you can do the same (less intensity) while pregnant. I exercised before I got pregnant with my first son. I continued to exercise while pregnant. I ran until that became uncomfortable, then switched to biking. I had to transfer from my regular bike to an exercise bike when my belly got bigger (remember your ligaments are more "stretchy" when you are pregnant) and the feeling of my belly hanging down when I rode my bike became uncomfortable (my stationary bike had an upright position, so no discomfort).

Listen to your body. Stay hydrated. Don't overexert. If it feels uncomfortable, stop doing it.

By the way, I'm convinced that my labor was easier because of my fitness, and even more convinced that I had less pain and an easier time because of all the time in the saddle! By the way, both my boys were born naturally. My 1st OB was shocked and amazed when she arrived to deliver my first born and asked about medications and the nurse told her "none". I went in with the attitude that I would only take meds if I really needed them. I didn't!

I'm sure Lise our resident Midwife can give you more info on the delivery part of your new adventure! Stay healthy and enjoy!

[hsmpcycle]

Hi Everybody,
I've been off this list for a while and just checked back to see some additional recomendations. Thanks to all. I have already read James Clapp's book cover to cover, and have spoken with a partner from the same group as my OBgyn who recomended support belts should the cycling become a balance issue and I need to switch to running. While I have yet to meet an OBgyn who will explicitly say that 140 is an arbitrary number for someone who's been excercising at higher hr.s for years, I've got enough info under my belt to listen to my own body.
I'm just finishing my 21st week and 140 is becoming an easier guideline to stick to. Anything beyond that and I begin to feel like I'm "breathing for two." Although amazingly still, after a significant warm-up I still comfortably exceed 140 without even realizing it.
To hsmpcycle, thanks for your advice and if you've already had your baby congratulations! I can't wait to meet mine.
Vigg

You are welcome and best wishes to you. You will enjoy motherhood, but enjoy your freedom now, because your life will CHANGE. I miss being able to sleep 8 hrs.

Just to let you know, I had a baby boy on August 2nd. It was a very easy labor. I gave two pushes and out he came. And just like the book said, the baby weight at 6 lb. 15 oz. was a lot less than his older brother (7 lbs. 9 oz.). After 2 weeks of life, the baby is holding his head up a little and throws very strong punches. I was able to start riding 2 weeks after the delivery. To date, I lost all of my pregnancy weight!!! YEAH!!!

Take care.