Pregnant runners' club

This is also true if you start to exercise your abs before your 6-8 week check up as your body needs time to adjust and start to go back to the way it use to be. And yes gals it does go back honestly! x

thanks all. i'll not do any ab exercises then ;-)

i'd love to be able to get to a pregnancy yoga class, but my problem is that i'm a consultant, and i'm about to start working in manchester/rochdale area on a client's site for 3 months. that makes getting back to s. wales for an 11am yoga class a tad tricky! i could look for one in manchester, but as the client pays my company through the nose for my time (not that i see the money, obviously!), i don't think they would appreciate me disappearing for 2 hours in the middle of the day to go to yoga!
it's bad enough with scans and midwife's appointments. it can take 2 whole days out of my week by the time i travel back home from wherever i am, and then back out again! i really think that i need to save their flexibility/understanding until i have a baby and am trying to co-ordinate childcare and working!!

How about swimming? that works all the muscles (nice and gently) and helps with flexibility etc especially if you are hoping for a natural birth (says she, who had a caesarean!).
I agree that pregnancy yoga is excellent, but long walks and swimming are effective and time-flexible too.
7 months after having my little boy I am FINALLY almost back to the pre-pregnancy me - it is harder work afterwards, but I think that's more to do with having to juggle work, husband, baby, exercise, etc.
I too have heard horrors about stomach muscles - indeed one of my friends can fit her fist between her stomach muscles and her baby is just over a year old... yuck! What I would say though, is that it is normal to be aware of a gap for a few months after birth - especially if you have quite a lean stomach. I probably still have about a 1cm gap below my belly button, but it is going :o)
Re: Pilates-style exercises, I had a personal trainer to get me back on the road to good training during the summer, and he advised me to do a lot of core work - typical Pilates exercises for the lower stomach area and pelvic floor, but told me NOT to do any crunches or sit ups until a year after birth. His reasoning is that the muscles need time to get back into place, and if you exercise them too early you get the pot belly effect and it is also bad for your back.
So...! Sorry for the essay, but I hope it helps in some way.
Hegs x

hegs
yes, i love swimming, and the great news is that they are just opening a brand new swimming pool near where we live tomorrow, so i shall be there at the weekend, and on any days i'm working from home, i shall be going there for early morning swims! i'm really excited, as since we moved here 2 years ago, there hasn't been anywhere decent to swim.
i'm also planning to force my company to put me up in a hotel in manchester that has at least a swimming pool (and preferably a gym as well), so that at least i can get some exercise in during the week.

for anyone who may be thinking about buying maternity running/exercise kit, i've just ordered some shorts and a pair of leggings from www.activemums.co.uk

the range of clothes is called mums in motion and it's got a special support panel in it which is meant to support your bump. some of the stuff is breathable, but not all (i suppose we can't have everything...)

the website is fairly tedious and not very intuitive, but i'll let you know if/when it arrives and how it fits...

Caramel

I've just remembered I've got a "Pilates for Pregnancy" DVD tucked away and have no need for it any longer. I'd be only to glad to forward it to you if you would like it, as you are obviously a busy woman and can't get to your pregnancy yoga class that you would like to attend. If you would like it - just e-mail me and I'll pop it in the post.

Mini MoJo

You have mail!

Thanks so much for the offer. Even though we don't have a TV (yes, I know - weird, and I expect that will change once #1 arrives and I need a diversion to allow me to have a shower without the child screaming the house down!), I can play DVDs on my laptop and home PC, so it would be great to have it if you are sure you won't be needing it again!

This forum is truly amazing, isn't it?

Americano - haven't heard from you for a while. How are you doing?

Caramel

You to have mail.

I definately won't be needing DVD any more. Was told by Consultant that I'm not allowed any more children but won't scare this forum with details until everyone has had their baby! (However reassuring every expectant mother reading this, it had nothing to do with the pregnancy or birth (as both went like a dream and could give birth again) don't know what all the fuss is about)!!! If you want to know e-mail me and I'll let you know.

I usually put my "bundle of joy" in her vibrating bouncer (best £19.99 we ever spent,)and sit her in the bathroom whilst I go for a shower. She's usually quite happy to sit there until I finish whatever I'm doing. Just remember to stick your head round the shower curtain and have a chat with baby. It's strange what you'll find keeps baby occupied whilst you do stuff. The noise of my hairdryer and washing machine use to send her to sleep but doesn't work any more!

Thanks MMJ - picked up your email. The consultant's verdict sounds rather scary, and I guess it must have been a shock if you had hoped to have more children.

Just been swimming in the brand new pool which opened at the weekend. woohooooooo!!!

i know it's a bit early to worry about this and absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with running, but what's everyone's experience/advice on what the baby should sleep in? i always imagined buying a cutesy moses basket, but then i've read that they grow out of them v. quickly and also if they are not used to sleeping in a cot, they can get distressed if you try to get them in one after they move out of their basket.

just wondering how we would fit full-sized cot in our room!! and also - do you need to get them used to sleeping in their own room as well? so would you put them in their own room for day-time sleeps (if so, in what? another cot? two cots?!), and in your room in their cot at night whilst they are still needing night-time feeds etc?

of all the things to worry about, WHY am i thinking about this??

Caramel, I had the most gorgeous little swinging crib (same size as a moses basket) for my little fella - he lasted all of 10 weeks in it since although he was pretty small (5lbs at birth), he was quite long & very wriggly and so we had to move to a cot. Could have been a very expensive business, but fortunately the 2 sets of grandparents had already volunteered to cover the costs :o)
Re: sleeping in your room - totally depends on you! I was adamant that we would have him in with us for 6 months - in reality he lasted 6 hours in our room before the constant snuffling and wriggling noises drove my husband mad....
Some people feel very strongly about these things - all I can say is that I have a very content and well-adjusted 8 month old who sleeps in his own room 99% of the time now (and I will admit about 1% of the time in our bed!!). It is so easy to get hung up on this stuff before they arrive, but in the end you will get to know your little one and what suits them/ you best. I would also say that for the first 8 weeks it is virtually impossible to expect them to conform to any particular routine, although it is probably worth trying, for your own sake!
Also, for the first couple of months my little one had most of his daytime sleeps in his pram in our sitting room!
When are you due?
Best of luck
Hegs x

Hegs - thanks! It's funny the things you worry about.

I'm not due for AGES - 8 July. Time seems to go so slowly when you are pregnant, particularly the first 12 weeks. Then it goes quickly for a week or so after the scan, and then seems to drag until the next scan. I'm sure this is a good thing because all too soon I will be at the mercy of a screaming child, but the THOUGHT of another 6 months...

I think the more you read about sleeping, routines etc, the more confusing it is. eg -

Make them sleep in a cot because they will need to get used to it, vs. they won't sleep in a cot because it's too big for them.

They won't sleep as well in a pram/moses basket etc because they can't stretch their arms out vs. put them in a pram/moses basket for daytime sleeps because it's more convenient for keeping an eye on them.

Small babies love bouncing seats vs. small babies are scared of bouncing seats.

Put them in a completely dark room because that triggers the right sort of hormone and they are more likely to sleep through vs. put them to sleep wherever because if they have to rely on total darkness to sleep, they may have trouble in later life.

They need total silence to sleep, so make sure they can't hear your voice, vs. carry on with life as normal, they need to learn to sleep through noise, and the noise of the vacuum cleaner can soothe them to sleep

Rocking cribs are good vs. rocking cribs get your babies used to movement to sleep and then they won't sleep in a cot. ARGH!!!!!

At the end of the day, it depends on your child, i guess. But it would be nice to know in advance what it would prefer, so that i don't waste money on the wrong thing! Do you think I can ask the sonographer to find out at the 20 wk scan ;-)

P.S. can you tell it's my first?!

Hey, don't worry about it, all first time mum's are the same - I was ;o)

The best tips I can give are:
1. FORGET what everyone else is doing/ saying - what makes you & your baby happiest is best.
2. You will not end up with lifelong issues if you take your baby into your bed once in a while (truth is, everyone does it once or twice when the little blighter won't shut up at 3am!).
3. All newborn babies cry a lot - FACT!
3. Breastfeeding is not easy & you are not a bad mother if you don't do it, but if you want to then persevere and ask for help as it does get easier.

The other thing I would say is that it takes a while to get to know your baby - they have their own personality and you have to learn what they like/ don't like, what sort of a person they are (moody, happy, morning person/ evening person etc).

There will probably be lots of people who don't agree with me, but hey it's my opinion for what it's worth and I hope it helps!

Do e-mail me if you ever want any support/ chat - from someone who has "been there" recently I know what it can be like :o)

Hegs x

Caramel

Have sent DVD recorded delivery today.

When pregnant I decided baby would sleep in her cot bed and that way should be use to it etc... However on bringing her home found that she was so small and looked totally lost in cot and it just didn't feel right her being in her own room.

So whilst hubby looked after me I sent my mate out on a mission to buy a moses basket and bedding. She slept with us in that for about 6 weeks but found she was a noisey sleeper (you'll be surprised how much noise a little baby makes). When she was 7 weeks we kept her in her moses basket but placed it in her cot, so she got use to sleeping in her own room with a night light on her monitor. Madam then decided on having a growing sprut, so she went into her cot at 8 weeks, she also kept waking herself up by banging her arms against the sides of the basket. She still looked small in her cot but she loves it in there. She sleeps on a sprung matress and its so cosy and warm, so gets good sleep. To be honest she's really good.

Hegs is right though and if only every baby read the baby manual before they were born we'd be on a winner! You'll get to know what your little one likes and dislikes soon enough - its surprising.

Don't beat yourself up about the breast feeding either. Whatever you decide to do will be right for you. I found breast feeding very easy but very demanding and was determinded to do it. However as I was so ill and the Docs didn't know what kind of effect the drugs they were giving me were having on baby, I had to stop breast feeding. I found this to be so upsetting and felt that I had failed totally. Personally its all swings and roundabouts. You'll know when the time comes what you want to do and just keep an open mind to everything.

P.S you may only be 12 weeks gone but believe me it will fly past and you'll wonder where you're pregnancy has gone so enjoy it and rest as much as possible now.

thanks hegs and mmj! your advice is invaluable. it's nice to read something that's not written in a book in a sanctimonious tone by some childcare expert who has seen it all and knows exactly what is best for all babies!

mmj - sounds like you had a bad time of it after the birth. but glad it was all such a positive experience for you in spite of that.

thanks for sending the dvd also. unfortunately i'm away in london and manchester until friday now, but i'm sure it will be at the delivery office waiting for me when i get back! thanks so much for that!

and i'm 14 weeks, not 12 ;-) (it makes all the difference when you're at this stage, doesn't it??) i never understood why people counted in weeks when they told me about their pregnancy. now i know. every day seems significant!

i managed a swim and a bit of a run as well today. run was curtailed somewhat by an attack of the heaving - i thought the sickness symptoms were supposed to go after week 12, but they show no signs of abating WHATSOEVER!!

haven't heard from americano in some time. i hope she's ok... if you're out there, please let us know how you are doing!

Caramel

Don't know whats worse actually being sick or feeling sick. I just felt sick up until I was 20 weeks pregnant and at really funny times of the day. Couldn't stand the smell of some soups (bizarre)!

Talking of counting in weeks - have you had a look at the Pampers web page. Not a bad site and gives some good info.

MMJ

it's reassuring to hear that you felt sick until 20 weeks (although obviously not good for you). i thought i was abnormal because everything i've read said that by 13 weeks your sickness will have stopped...

yesterday was a marginally better day for me on the sick-feeling front. that is, until i got on the train from london to manchester, which was absolutely sweltering. i was trying to work on my laptop and suddenly found myself with an imminent urge to vomit. i was in the windowseat and had a guy sitting next to me, whom i virtually climbed over to get out. couldn't really talk because i was afraid to open my mouth. it's quite funny looking back at it now! i apologised afterwards, but i think he thought i was just weird.

and soups! yes! my home-made soups are the only foods which make me want to yack (and that's not because they are gross, honest!). i can't even look at them without feeling ill.

haven't looked at the pampers site - i'll have to have a quick peek sometime.

I'm just found out I'm pregnant too, I'll be 8 weeks on Satuday. I feel all right, if a little tired and tender in the chest area! Both my GP and my gym instructor say I should carry on as usual, as my body is used to exercise. I've actually noticed that feel loads better after exercise, but have had to slow my running pace down and am planning to split my weekly 10k into two 5ks, and stop for a breather if I get hot or dizzy. I'm also planning on getting back to doing Pilates to strengthen my core and keep that pelvic floor in good condition...

Caramel - once you have had your 20 week scan the time will fly - that's what I found (mind you I was in hospital from 31 weeks, so perhaps that's why it went quick for me...).
Don't remember if I mentioned it before, but I found that Orange Lucozade did wonders for my nausea. I was quite lucky though as it definitely improved after about 13 weeks. The breast tenderness also eased off shortly after, you might be glad to know! My biggest problem on the train was feeling faint - I actually conked out twice at about 16/17 weeks as I didn't look pregnant enough for anyone to give up their seat for me :o(
And I know that it's the last thing you want to hear, but all the nausea etc is a really good thing - means your hormones are doing what they are supposed to :o)
Hegs x

hello, going back to abdominal excercises after having the baby, what should i do to get rid of the marshmallow-covering of my belly? I never had a six-pack but would like a slightly tighter abdomen really... without the dreaded potbelly effect..I've been doing planks and some cross-over crunches, any other suggestions? And for all you pegnant people, once your bump starts to grow; Tommy's charity do great t-shirts with a scan on the front, not cheap, but lovely to wear, i fel really special wearing mine!

MariJke - I think you just have to let nature take it's course and wait for the skin to shrink back on it's own :o(
You can, of course, work the muscles underneath (as you are obviously doing), but the loose skin is harder to tackle. Moisturising is good as it keeps the skin supple and the massaging action is good too, but I must admit that mine is still a little bit of a "jelly belly" after 8 months and I never had a flabby tum before (didn't have a 6 pack either I hasten to add!). It seems to have taken most of my friends about 12 months to get back the skin tone fully.
PS. I think mine seems worse because I had a caesarean - so I have a bit of a tuck in around the scar....(excuses, excuses ;o))