Exercise & diet

Hi there,

Does anybody know if it is possible to maintain pre-pregnancy exercise levels in early pregnancy? I am quite fit and want to stay that way! As I am feeling 100% fine with no illness, tiredness, nausea etc there is no issue with that. I work out every day at a moderate to high intensity . Should I be reducing the intensity of my exercise? If not now, at what point would I need to slow down (assuming my body doesnt suddenly decide to make me realise I am actually pregnant & thereby force me to slow down).

Also, one other thing...is there anything that is a real no-no with regard to diet? I have a healthy diet anyway but I think I've read something about not eating fish somewhere....is this true? I've cut out caffiene and alcohol.....anything else I should be avoiding? Sorry if these are very uninformed questions but I can't tell anyone I'm pg yet and I know nothing about it as have had very little exposure to pg women in the past! I am reading a book though so hopefully won't be asking so many basic questions in the future!

Thanks!

Hi Kitz. Don't worry about the questions being basic, it's good to cover everything. Lots more people will be wondering and not asking, trust me!

In early pregnancy you just need to limber up more - your joints get more flexible and if you don't warm up properly then they end up hurting! You can still do exercise, but you'll find yourself running out of breath earlier. You should cut back on contact sports, dropping them entirely after the 1st trimester, but otherwise it's up to you how comfortable you are. I was doing yoga and bellydancing right up to 9 months and running at 8.

Diet... you need to avoid raw eggs, unpasturised cheese and shellfish - on the main articles on this site there's a big list. Just be sensible and it will all be OK!

Hi Kitz

Exercise is great to continue if you're used to the intensity. In other words, it is not the the time to START taking up high intensity aerobics or running etc. Just listen to you body and ease up when you feel like you need to and drink lots of water too whether or not you think you need it.

Fish is fine in moderation. If you eat it more than 1-2 times per week, experts say that mercury can build up in your body and be passed onto bubs. Not sure what mercury actually does to bubs but it sounds pretty nasty.

Hi Kitz,

I maintained my prepreg exercise during first trimester. Just be careful to stay cool - use fans, don't go out in the heat of the day and keep your heart rate below about 140bpm. I continued my weights class until I was 30 weeks preg - obviously reducing the weights in second trimester and went skiing for 4 weeks overseas when I was in my 5th month.

If your family or partners family has any allergies try not to eat any nut products.

hi - you can still keep up your exercise but watch heart rate and body temp carefully...
diff ppl take on diff advice about diet - it sounds like you have a good balanced diet so thats the main thing but there are some things to avoid esp for listeria - i think there is an article on here and also yu can google and lots of resources come up. It is personal choice really how far you go with restrictions but good to be informed.
I am still swimming 1.5kms each day and doing lots of walking and yoga... but i did cut out a lot of higher intensity exercise for risk of injury... that was my choice. swimming is def my preg fave, esp in later stages it just feels wonderful.

good luck with the rest of your pregnancy - what a wonderful time.

Exercise - I would check with doc but I think you''re right for the first 3 months anyway 0- just don't get too hot. You're not supposed to go in spas and hot tubs for that reason.

Diet: These are the things I was told NOT to eat:
Soft serve ice cream - like what you get at MAccas
Large fish - has more mercury in it but tuna and that is fine
No raw meat or fish
no deli meats or salads
no soft cheeses

My ob said I could eat salami and ham anad stuff it was cooked - say on a pizza so you don't miss out too much! Hope this helps!