QuestionI am a 21 y/o woman. Very fit and athletic a totally flat stomach. I had always done a good amount of exercise. I have 5 week pregnancy. And I have questions on how work out could help or damage my pregnancy. I mostly run at middle passe. And also make weight lifting and tons of abs. In my family they have plans for a trip to Disney World in a month and I am also worry about activity in roller coasters. I feel totally perfect strong and natural And I cant see how this activities could injure my baby. Please help me with some information. Best Regards, Fernanda.
AnswerYou can safely maintain your athletic lifestyle for the first half of pregnancy with some modifications.
As your pregnancy progresses, you'll find that your level of perceived exertion will rise, especially while running. This means that you will need to taper down the intensity of your workouts in order to stay in a safe aerobic zone. Never get to the point where you are panting or can't hold a normal conversation.
As you belly gets big, your core strength will diminish, and you'll need to lower the weights that you lift in order to work safely. As to abs, start learning core stabilization exercises now, and other exercises that focus on you deepest abdominal muscle, your Transverse Abdominis.
Keeping this muscle strong during pregnancy helps to prevent diastasis recti (abdominal separation), greatly aids in labor and delivery as this is your "pushing muscle" and will flatten the abs MUCH more quickly after childbirth.
It is advised not to do traditional abdominal exercise like crunches once the belly pops out and to refrain from exercising on the back after 20 weeks.
However, you should not ride on a roller coaster during pregnancy. Any/all activities that jostle the body, may put your pregnancy at risk.
For more information on aerobic exercise during pregnancy go to:
http://befitmom.com/aerobic_exercise.html
For more information on strength training and core conditioning during pregnancy to to: http://befitmom.com/strength_training.html
