Pregnancy tips

Hi, I am now 11 weeks pregnant. I was adviced by some not to start walks until 3 months are completed. Probably that was since in my case I have also developed a cyst. But can someone please tell me the ideal time when I can start walks. I feel quite inclined to walks but fear it as of now.

thanks Ruth

i also had small cysts and the doctor put it down to the hormones during pregnancy. I tell you these hormones get blamed for a lot of things. I walked every day to and from my daughters school approx 8 km and felt so much better for it. Added bonus my weight stayed down. Check with the midwife at the doctors surgery or ask the receptionist to get back to you.

Check with your doctor, I can't see why at least a gentle walk wouldn't be OK. It's not recommended you start any new activity when you are pregnant (kick boxing, gym etc.) but fine to keep going if you have already been doing these things prior to pregnacy. It's always wise to run these things past your doctor first.

Congratulations.....

I think this advice not to exercise is a yellow flag warning you that you may need to examine this doctor's philosophy very closely! China seems to be very similar to America in the 1950's when women's bodies were seen as frail and incapable of normal activity. I see women being told really stupid things that treat their bodies as if they were weak and frail rather than normal and healthy. (I've also heard that Chinese doctors put a woman flat on her back for labor -- the worst position for both mother and baby -- and do c-sections at the drop of a hat.) For the most part, gentle exercise is very good for you and will help your body very much when it comes time for labor and delivery, which is a very athletic event! You really need to keep yourself strong and fit. The only real limit I've heard is to not deprive the baby of oxygen, which means don't exercise so hard that you get out of breath (keep your heart rate below 130 or so). Second, if you were to have an extreme blow to the abdomen during the third trimester, there is less cushioning so the impact could hit the baby. In first and second trimesters, the baby is extremely well protected and it would take a lot of trauma to hurt her. I was in a car crash during my 9th month of one pregnancy, and they immediately checked to make sure the placenta had not been detached (would have required emergency c-section). But these are extreme situations, eh? Oh, one other limit on exercise. THe hormones do soften all your ligaments, so don't to harsh things that stress the connective tissue (e.g. don't take up tennis as a new sport unless you've already been doing it and are usd to it). Finally, as for the cyst. Did he tell you that it is normal to have a "functional cyst" during 1st trimester in the spot where the egg came from? I don't know what kind of cyst you have, but it's normal for a little to cyst form on the ovary where the egg popped out, and this is what supplies the hormones to sustain the pregnancy until the placenta gradually takes over at about 12 weeks. There are other types of cysts, too, but it is worth talking about and learning the real reasons he says no exercise. If possible, go the library and read so you can judge for yourself and see if you agree or understand your doctor's reasons. The final thing (from a person who has had several miscarriages) is that exercise or lack of it will not change the natural course of things if nature has set you up for a miscarriage. I've been reassured many times by different medical people that exercise by itself will not "cause" a miscarriage. These are all medical questions, though, so talk about them with your doctor and see what he or she says. Pregnancy is a time when it's really important to field these types of questions early and make sure you are going to a doctor whose philosophies are very compatible with yours (and also ask what percentage of their patients get c-sections)! If you do find that your doctor seems to have outmoded ideas, it's important to switch doctors and easier to do it sooner rather than later. Be aware that a lot of women choose to go to their home country or to Hong Kong for the baby to be born.

The pregnancy is very small and well protected at this stage. Exercise is unlimited in the first trimester of the pregnancy, and can even continue safely in the second trimester. Many topsporters continue competing well into pregancy! In other words, if you feel ok, go ahead with your walks, and keep you body in shape.





Vigorous exercise should be limited as this may impact on the developing placenta, which is later in your pregancy. Be guided by your gynaecologist after the 12-14 week scan and again after the detailed 20 week scan.


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hello everyone, i am new on this site, living in indonesia with my partner, can anyone help!!! im only just 6 weeks pregnant but the breast pain is unbearable!!! not sure how to handle, also can anyone explain what the strange feelings and heavy feeling are? thanx to all susan.