You probably guessed this was coming…. Let’s talk about anxiety. Seriously what is more terrifying than the first 12 weeks of pregnancy? I know some women are able to bask in the glow of being newly pregnant (and I totally envy them) but for me, it is this analyze-every-single-ache-and-pain struggle. Don’t get me wrong, I am SO excited and I feel incredibly blessed but it is a nerve-wracking time. Like I mentioned in my last diary, before I got pregnant with Lily I had a first-trimester miscarriage that absolutely devastated Andy and me. We had been actively, meticulously trying for 6 months and the pregnancy felt like it was gone in the blink of an eye. The physical and mental pain of it all still stays with me to this day. Despite everyone telling me “this isn’t your fault,” I couldn’t help but think about all the things I was told “not to do” in early pregnancy & wondered if I ever slipped up.
A big concern for me this pregnancy has been exercise. If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve seen that I worked really hard to get in shape before this pregnancy (I actually literally got in shape to get pregnant again ha!). I was running 6 miles once a week, uphill sprints twice a week, 45-minute intense Peloton spin sessions & 4 to 5 days of hard strength training. I expected I was going to continue to run and train when my pregnancy began, especially since newer research says that its best to continue with what you were doing before if you’re having a healthy pregnancy. But, for some reason, I just cannot shake the fear that running or really intense straining will cause me to miscarry. I feel like if I end up losing the baby and I was continuing to exercise the way I was before, I would never be able to forgive myself.
5 Weeks Pregnant
I’ve only ran twice since finding out I was pregnant, but it was in 2-minute slow intervals and even that made me feel uncomfortable. I have been continuing my strength training and I took the intensity down of my cycling sessions. I still plan to work out 5 days a week for as long as my body will let me, it just may be at a lower intensity than I had planned on. I’ve seen countless times that the old “don’t raise your heart rate above 140bpm” is completely outdated and not scientifically based. I followed that rule the first time I was pregnant, but now I don’t feel the need to pay attention to it. By 140 I’m starting to get a little warm, but I can usually go over that quite comfortably. I am typically gasping for air in my workouts and I think we can all agree that isn’t a good idea while pregnant, so I’ll need to modify.
My first OBGYN appointment is coming up this Thursday, I’m excited to talk to my doctor further about exercising. I miss the adrenaline of a good run or bike session. I’m hoping after seeing the little babes heartbeat (fingers crossed it will be Thursday), I will feel more comfortable and secure in the pregnancy.
If you want to follow along with any other fit mamas on Instagram, some of my favorites are @NancyAndersonFit and @AngiGreene @Katrinaascott @MelissawoodHealth @FitLovinMama
Other tidbits: I’ve only had 1 little episode of nausea, it lasted for about 30 minutes and after I was totally fine! I cramp almost every day, and of course, every time I cramp I’m terrified it will get worse, but it never does. I’m literally checking to make sure I’m not bleeding every time I’m going to the bathroom. The cramps are usually fading within an hour. I’m peeing a bit more often and definitely hungrier than usual, but I have been doing well keeping with my clean diet MOST of the time. My boobs don’t hurt nearly as bad as they did the other two times I was pregnant (YET), there was only one day where I felt they were a little extra sore. I can tell my milk supply is getting lower, Lily is getting a little frustrated while nursing, but no real tantrums, thankfully! I’m having a lot of trouble sleeping at night, I’m not sure if its anxiety or having to pee or just normal pregnancy stuff but it is driving me a bit nuts. Overall, though, I’m feeling much better than I did at this time with Lily. I was sick with her for the first 3 months and had food aversions the ENTIRE pregnancy. I’m hoping these mild pregnancy symptoms will continue!
Excited to get through this week and see our baby for the first time on Thursday. Can’t wait to tell you all about it next week!
Did any of you change your workout routines while you were pregnant? Did you stay working at your max effort? If you did continue to exercise full throttle, how was your birth? Please, share below!
Comments