Pregnancy tips?

[curiona]

I'll echo the previous thanks. This is very reassuring. I wasn't sure how to take the 140 recommendation as I'm fairly fit and bike all the time. I am only into my 6th week and find myself strangely tired already, which is really weird because that's pretty early into my pregnancy. I was having doubts about continuing to bike but everything I read tells me it's good for me so I'll just keep at it. I have 2 questions:

Hills. The thing that worries me is that I have some short but steep hills on my way to work; no way to avoid them and for those hills only I do find myself out of breath. But we're talking about 5 minutes of a 30-minute ride. Any thoughts on the hills? My instinct tells me it's okay. And given that I'm basically a very lazy person who loves to bike, biking is really my only source of exercise so I'd like to hang on to it.

Seat height. I'm only 4-11 so every bike that I own fits relatively well but I can not touch the ground with my toes while on the seat. I did just buy one of those lightweight retro beach bikes with the wide seat and the upright handle bars and this allows me to touch the ground somewhat, although I am on my tiptoes. Does anyone have any thoughts on whether I should buy a bike that lets me fully rest my feet on the ground?

Thanks

[xeney]

I'm not sure why you need that. Is it a balance thing?

As for fatigue, that is an early pregnancy symptom. Some people have some fatigue throughout pregnancy, but I think for most people it subsides after a couple of months. I would not really try to fight it right now -- there is not much you can do, and it's probably supposed to tell you that you need some rest! For me, it got much better in my second trimester.

[curiona]

re: seat height. I suppose it might be. Right now if for some reason I have to get off the bike quickly I just hover over the cross bar and put one foot on the ground if I can't swerve out of the situation (typically, if a car cuts me off). But given everything I have been reading about balance (not that I've experienced it yet) and weight, makes me wonder if being able to touch the ground after stopping suddenly might be safer, balance-wise. Thx for the advice re: fatigue!

I'm not sure why you need that. Is it a balance thing?

As for fatigue, that is an early pregnancy symptom. Some people have some fatigue throughout pregnancy, but I think for most people it subsides after a couple of months. I would not really try to fight it right now -- there is not much you can do, and it's probably supposed to tell you that you need some rest! For me, it got much better in my second trimester.

[Irulan]

wasn't sure how to take the 140 recommendation as I'm fairly fit and bike all the time.

IRC, that is obsolete advice. There used to be some (older) threads on this board that addressed the heart rate issue from a modern, athelete POV. I'm too tired to try and search for you, but you might be able to bring them up.

[Irulan]

http://velonews.com/article/3767

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...ncy+heart+rate

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...rt+rate&page=3

[curiona]

everyone-
thanks for the links and advice. thanks to more serious digging, I came across James Clapp's book on exercising through pregnancy. changed my life. I'm back to kickin' @ss on the streets and loving life again. and i threw out the heart rate monitor

[papaya]

Hi,
I just found out i am 4 weeks pregnancy for the first time ( i am 37). I raced at 2 weeks and at 3 weeks and both weekend I maxed my heart rate. Actually, I had always thought my max heart rate was 185, but it went to 187. I was also not as strong as normal, and my fiance ( we are getting maried in 2 weeks) noticed and wondered if it was becuase i was pregnant. I guess the higher heart rate may also have been due to pregnancy? I am hoping it is a big deal I went to max, since the baby may not have even been attached yet.

My plan right now is to stop racing and intervals, and stay below where my lactic acid even starts to accumulate, probably ten beats below LT or so.

Any recommendations on exercise during pregnancy? I always had the illusion I would swim during pregnancy, do you think it is strange to start?
Any book recommendations for exercise and pregnancy?

I bike to work, but it is along the side of a highway (25 miles each way, though i often just go one way and leave my car, or get a ride). I thought that falling from a bike was big deal last trimester ( placenta can disconnect) so my plan was to ride until then or until i feel uncomfortable. The biggest problem is the doctors are really set up to deal with unatheletic people. So any other information sources would greatly be appreciated.

thank you,
papaya