pregnancy questions....

[emeraldeyes_bc]

Hey gals, thought this would be a good place to ask....I was just wondering if it's still safe to continue with protein powder while pregnant?? I usually have my oatmeal with protein powder 3 times a day at least and I don't know what I would eat all day if I had to stop that
and if you gals have any advice warnings, things you can and cant do in the gym?? thanks sooooo much in advance

 

[Daisy_Girl]

My doctor did not have a problem with protein powders, but in all honesty, I did not "feel okay" using them. Most protein powders have a quite a bit of artificial sweeteners and are basically engineered food. Real food is better, IMO. When you are pregnant, you really need to think about what is best for the growing baby.

Is is BAD? Not likely. Best bet would be to bring your protein to your OB and ask him/her what they think.

As for what else you would eat, the combinations are endless, you just have to use some creativity.

As for what to do in the gym, there are some basic (mostly common sense) things - but ultimately, you should check with your OB since every pregnancy is different and has it's own set of unique things.

Basically ...... you can continue doing anything you were doing PRE-pregnancy. Pregnancy is not a time to try new things or add to your fitness routine. You can continue lifting, doing cardio, yoga, etc. But you REALLY need to listen to your body and HEED what it tells you. Pregnancy is NOT a time to "push through" a tough workout.

You don't necessarily have to stay below a certain heart rate (the 140 bpm has shown to be outdated) but you DO need to watch your breathing. If you are gasping for breath, so is the baby. The baby is priority - NOT YOU. Watch your temperature. If you are too hot, the baby is too hot - and this can impact development. Stay VERY hydrated. If you feel cramps, dizziness then STOP.

Don't do high contact things - boxing (with a partner), mountain biking, roller blading. Your balance will likely be off (esp later in pregnancy) and you need to watch for this. Careful with stretching - stretching is good, but you can overdo it, esp around the hip joints.

Do what you can, when you can. Everyday will be different. Some days you feel like you can climb a mountain, some days brushing your teeth is exhausting. Listen to this. On days you are tired, take it easy. On days you feel good, take advantage of it (but don't overdo it). You can workout the entire pregnancy, but if you have to stop for some reason - don't stress. You are pregnant. You are growing another human - that takes a lot of energy.

Always take your prenatal. ALWAYS.

Sleep now. You have no clue what sleep deprivation is until you have a newborn. NO IDEA. Nap if you need one. You are not being lazy - you are growing a person.

ENJOY it. I LOVED LOVED LOVED being pregnant. I miss it - it was such a fun time. Wait until you feel him/her moving. It is amazing. Good luck!

 

[gymmum]

Well..what more can you add to that. I agree 100% with what Daisy has mentioned. The thing to stipulate the most is listening to you body. I have had four kids, and you couldn't ask for a better time in life as to carrying and bringing that lovely newborn baby into this world. As Daisy has said you need to rest now as you won't get much once that little one enters the household.
Enjoy what you are bringing into this world as it is the biggest reward you will ever get. My doctor told me no protein shakes, but each is different so go with what your OB tells you.

 

[heatherrae]

How far along are you? My doc said that in the first trimester I should tone the workouts down a bit. He said that later I could get back into it. He warned against lifting too much because of the softening of the ligaments and change in balance. He said the cardio routine would be fine. He said later in pregnancy not to do anything prolonged on my back, not to put my head below knee level, and some other stuff. Ask your OB/GYN. I think they all recommend slightly different things.

I didn't ask about protein shakes because i haven't been using them lately. Only real food, here.

 

[needsize]

I know here in canada there is a mother risk help line you can call anytime, and they have the most up to date research on whats okay for a mother to use/take, the number is 1 416-813-6780, more up to date then your regular doc will be

 

[heatherrae]

I know here in canada there is a mother risk help line you can call anytime, and they have the most up to date research on whats okay for a mother to use/take, the number is 1 416-813-6780, more up to date then your regular doc will be

Canada's healthcare is awesome. I would move there if it were not so darned COLD.

 

[Daisy_Girl]

How far along are you? My doc said that in the first trimester I should tone the workouts down a bit. He said that later I could get back into it. He warned against lifting too much because of the softening of the ligaments and change in balance. He said the cardio routine would be fine. He said later in pregnancy not to do anything prolonged on my back, not to put my head below knee level, and some other stuff. Ask your OB/GYN. I think they all recommend slightly different things.

I didn't ask about protein shakes because i haven't been using them lately. Only real food, here.

REALLY depends on your OB and your exercise history, and your current health.

Like I said earlier, there are some basic common sense things, and you should ALWAYS consult with YOUR OB about it. Ultimately, if you listen to your body then you will likely be fine.

 

[Daisy_Girl]

Canada's healthcare is awesome. I would move there if it were not so darned COLD.

But they also pay a very pretty penny for it - taxes are through the roof (by US standards). And often, the wait to see a specialist is months long.

Not busting on Canada, as the US Healthcare system has it's faults ..... but there is no perfect system out there.

 

[heatherrae]

REALLY depends on your OB and your exercise history, and your current health.

Like I said earlier, there are some basic common sense things, and you should ALWAYS consult with YOUR OB about it. Ultimately, if you listen to your body then you will likely be fine.

Yep, I think that is exactly right. I know when I do too much because it makes me nauseated.

 

[needsize]

the taxes suck, but a lot of my cash comes from under the table so I dont stress it...winter isnt as bad as people think, in Ontario, our first snow came mid january this year, I'll be back on the beach in no time....
not that I wouldnt move somewhere where its warm year round in a heartbeat

 

[emeraldeyes_bc]

thanks so much for all of your responses. I am only 6 weeks now I just found out valentines day so i'm still trying to adjust to this whole idea. I was on the pill and was not planning on having a baby...well ever really, my man felt the same way. but since it's happened i've sort of gotten used to it and a little excited (still angry and bitter that the pill didn't work) but anyway....
I go to the gym usually 5 days a week I do 25 min running before lifting then 15 to 20 min on the stepper after. I am a creature of habit, and figuring out what to eat other than oatmeal and protein is going to be a chore!! it's so easy and I feel good after eating it.....but I don't want to do anything thats the slightest risk.

 

[cindylou]

I've been thinking about what I'm going to do to when I decide to have kids. I mean whats better splenda or sugar? Ya know what I mean? Do I want to feed my kids artifical sugars or the real deal? lol. Pregnancy and after I suppose is all a mystery to me!

Congrats on your baby! I'm jealous!

 

[emeraldeyes_bc]

I know it's crazy the things I have to think about now! I mean I was on the pill and not even in the back of my mind expected this so now i'm freaking out because before I knew I was taking ephedrine and drinking and god knows what else
and now I have to think about everything I do and eat. and i'm worried if what I was doing before I knew could have had an effect.... blah the stress

 

[cindylou]

I know it's crazy the things I have to think about now! I mean I was on the pill and not even in the back of my mind expected this so now i'm freaking out because before I knew I was taking ephedrine and drinking and god knows what else
and now I have to think about everything I do and eat. and i'm worried if what I was doing before I knew could have had an effect.... blah the stress

You will be fine!!! You are stressed because you care about your upcoming baby! How lucky baby will be to have a mom like you! This is a gift - enjoy it!

 

[Daisy_Girl]

The baby does not take ANY nutrients from you until right around 6 weeks. Anything you ate or drank before then will have no impact on the baby.

And also, as an aside, the baby never "shares blood" with the mom. They are linked by a cord, not a bloodstream. (I know you did not say anything about sharing blood, it is just a pet peeve of mine, that I wanted to get on my soapbox about it, lol)