QuestionI have always been an avid fitness fan many years before I got married and got pregnant. I was doing high impact aerobic exercises, weights, step aerobics and kickboxing at least 5 times a week before I got pregnant. I continued with my exercises but slightly modified when I found out I was pregnant.
This was until have been diagnosed with incompetent cervix at week 23. I underwent an emergency cerclage as I was already dilating. Since then, I have been put on bedrest. I am in week 28 now and I feel well, eventhough my obgyn advised me to abstain from sex, housework, going out, shopping, and of course, any form of exercise. My check ups thus far has shown no deterioration.
I have been getting extremely restless and I am just wondering what form of exercises should be safe? Thanks.
AnswerSome think that gentle stretching in bed, (lower back, hamstrings, chest and shoulders) along with small legs lifts front and side, knee extensions, (in bed) are OK. But before you embark on any bed exercises, no matter how simple, you should discuss this with your OBGYN.
It can be terribly difficult to endure bed rest, especially for an athletic person, but in the big picture of things, another 12 weeks of inactivity in order to deliver a healthy baby is worth it.
Note that since your activity level has gone way down, that you do not need as many calories to support your pregnancy than if you were nominally active, or engaged in regular exercise.
Since fitness and exercise have been such an important part of your life, you will pick that up again, after your baby is born. This part of you is not gone forever.
