pregnancy and max hr

[Jennifer]

you can run while pregnant.

although later it turns into more of a waddle-jog

[vigg]

The new ob said the same thing - 140 bpm max. I told her how easily my hr shoots up to 160 or so just going up a slight hill, but then plummets back downward once the hill levels off, and she said that was probably alright, but why not just lower the gear? Yes, these MD's know a heck of a lot more about human physiology than I do, but this 140 max sounds like a concrete, simplistic effort on their part to protect their collective butt.
Anyone who is as confused as I am about all this (you know, there are a number of sources claiming the 140 max is ultra-conservative bunk, but just check with the doc to be sure it's OK to exceed it, then the doc says "oh no, stay below 140...") should pick up a book by James Clapp "Exercising Through Your Pregnancÿ." I admit he seems a little overzealous about his agenda, but he does cite ample studies that refute many of the current guidelines, including the degree of danger of overheating the baby, or depriving it of oxygen. And because the body undergoes so may changes throughout the pregnancy and even during the course of each excercise session, the 140 max is almost irrelevant. Does this mean I'm going to go all out? No, but now I at least have a physiological explanation for why my heart rate shoots up so readily on hills, with no real change in my perceived exertion. I won't get into it here, but I will certainly stop worrying that I'm hurting the baby if I'm above 140 for 30 second intervals here and there.
As for conception, much of the word out there about excessive exercise impeding your ability to conceive is speculative. Exercise, for the most part, improves fertility, provided one's overall lifestyle is healthy and periods are regular. I'm an impatient person, and had assumed that maybe I didn't get pregnant right away because I was exercising too much, but in retrospect, it took us only two cycles of concious effort (if you know what I mean) to get pregnant. It just felt like forever at the time. Good luck to you!
Vigg

[Grog]

Yes, these MD's know a heck of a lot more about human physiology than I do, but this 140 max sounds like a concrete, simplistic effort on their part to protect their collective butt.

You bring up a good point. From what I heard, insurance premiums for obstetricians in the US are skyrocketing, especially in your state and California. The number of people that sue their ob. for the slightest problem around/during/after childbirth is EXTREMELY high, so maybe that explains a conservative stance on the part of many of them (even if it doesn't necessarily make sense scientifically).

[Lise]

Yup. Illinois is a terrible state in which to practice obstetrics, too.

And still, I wish more of my patients were worried about getting in enough exercise!

Good luck, Vigg--wishing you well through the whole nine months! Lise

[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.

[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.

[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!

[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.

[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.