QuestionI'm 21 weeks now and i have recently found out that i have a low lying placenta. In the military even pregnant I'm required to exercise 3 times a week... my question is, what exercising i should avoid or if i shouldn't do anything at all??
AnswerA low lying placenta puts you into a higher risk category. Please consult with an OBGYN right away to get clear guidelines on what activities you should avoid.
You certainly should not be engaging in very strenuous activities. No heavy lifting and carrying. No abdominal exercises like crunches. During aerobic exercise, you should never get to the point where you are panting or can not speak normally.
At twenty weeks, the placenta stops growing and its ability to transport oxygen is set. As your baby grows she will demand more oxygen. This means that for any given exercise activity, your rate of perceived exertion will rise as your pregnancy progresses. Never get to an exercise intensity that your feel is more than "somewhat difficult."
As your pregnancy progresses and your tummy gets bigger, then the abdominal muscles will become too stretched to adequately support your pelvis and spine. Your ligaments, which hold your joints in proper alignment, lengthen in response to the hormones of pregnancy.
Because of these two factors, you need to be conservative with your body, particularly your lower back, and weight the supporting joints, ankles, knees and hips.
Right now, your baby's health should take precedence over all else, including military fitness training.
