1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

Labor during pregnancy

Discussion in 'Chit Chat' started by anthonythegamer, Oct 22, 2013.

  1. Yahoo Shine - Women's Lifestyle | Healthy Living and Fashion Blogs

    Exercise is very important for a healthy pregnancy, but pregnant weight-lifters have cause controversy. What do you guys think?

    Personally, I don't think weight-lifting would hurt the baby. If pregnant women want to weight-lift, then they should, but they need to be careful since the center of balance is more off in 3rd-trimester pregnancies.

    Think of it this way, some tribal women and medieval women did farming during pregnancy, and their babies turned out just fine (take disease out of the equation).
     
  2. Fiddledeedee

    Full Member

    Joined:
    May 10, 2011
    Messages:
    955
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    England
    Doesn't labor come at the end of pregnancy? :stuck_out_tongue_closed_eyes:

    I agree with you. Exercise, though hard, is important, and as long as the person is pretty sure they're being careful and not damaging their body, I can't say I have a problem with it.
     
  3. Lucky Oshawott

    Full Member

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2012
    Messages:
    132
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    London
    I guess it's the stress that can really affect the child. So as long as they're not over-working themselves I wouldn't think that they were doing any real harm.
     
  4. Aussie792

    Full Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2013
    Messages:
    3,317
    Likes Received:
    62
    Location:
    Australia
    Gender:
    Male
    Gender Pronoun:
    He
    Sexual Orientation:
    Gay
    Out Status:
    Out to everyone
    I don't imagine the tradition of a person being totally idle during the pregnancy is good at all. Someone having a baby should be healthy, and exercise, for their own sake more than the baby's.
     
  5. prism

    Full Member

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2012
    Messages:
    749
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    NYC
    My friend ran a few marathons during her pregnancy and her baby (my Godson) came out with a very strong neck and grip.

    It makes sense if you think about it. Aerobics bounces the baby and forces it to stabilize itself in the womb. Heavy weightlifting seems like unnecessary stress though.
     
  6. Hexagon

    Full Member

    Joined:
    May 1, 2011
    Messages:
    8,558
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    Earth
    IMO, people should do what they feel capable of doing during pregnancy. If they find themselves in pain or getting overly tired by an activity, don't do it. Otherwise, do. Like most things in life, really.
     
  7. AwesomGaytheist

    Full Member

    Joined:
    May 19, 2013
    Messages:
    6,909
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    Pittsburgh, PA
    Gender:
    Genderqueer
    Gender Pronoun:
    He
    Sexual Orientation:
    Gay
    Out Status:
    Out to everyone
    My mom is a chiropractor and says that she stayed on the job until she was 8 months pregnant with me.
     
  8. Split Arrows

    Full Member

    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2013
    Messages:
    273
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Colorado
    The issue with exercising too vigorously during pregnancy is the increased epinephrine/norepinephrine and other neurochemical responses that can affect the fetus. Also, the increased heart-rate that occurs with exercise can trigger the flight/fight response in the fetus (depending on how far along the pregnancy is) and cause prenatal stress that can be highly detrimental.

    I agree that some exercise is beneficial to both the mother and fetus, but it's very important not to over do it. It needs to be accounted for, too, how the individual mother feels about exercise during pregnancy. If she worries that exercise can be harmful then she can have both an increased cortisol and dopamine level creating a neurochemical war zone inside her body. However, if she is comfortable with it, then moderate exercise is good.

    Prism, I was rather shocked to read that your friend ran marathons during her pregnancy. I can't imagine any doctor that would advise that.