What Not Being Pregnant Has Taught Me
I am confidently going out on a limb to say if you are reading this you have either been pregnant, been around someone who has been pregnant (like your partner or just simply passing someone in a store), or you currently are pregnant.
In passing I’ve thought, wow that’s incredible, how is there a human growing in there, that’s pretty cool.
But now…now, I have an entirely new perspective and respect for pregnant women who not only strive to be healthy and keep this baby alive and kicking for 9 (but really 10) months. What in the actual fuck do women go through with their bodies? What does working out look like when you’re pregnant?
Working out looks like whatever you want it to.
Some women like to run, some women don’t. Some women like to continue high intensity workouts, some don’t. Some like to just simply move, but sometimes you just don’t. You don’t need to. Not all the time, and not in comparison to anyone else except for you. This rule applies to everyone, not just pregnant women.
We’ve had really positive engagements with doctors and medical professionals, letting us know what’s safe and what isn’t. We’ve learned that not only is she growing a human life, she is growing a new organ (placenta), doubling her blood volume, stretching her ligaments, pushing all of her organs into her chest, and sleeping less, getting more needles, blood tests, and nasty glucose tests than ever before.
What did we learn? We learned that running a couple miles, doing sprints, and continuing our original routine pre-pregnancy wasn’t going to work. She felt sick, weak, tired, but also wanted to make sure she was still moving, stretching, and doing what she could. We adapted to the pregnancy and still are.
Pelvic floor exercises and core exercises became our number one goal to strengthen and maintain. Next was slow movements adjusting range of motion and intensity. We figured out likes and dislikes through trimesters 1, 2, and now 3.
We figured out that while my 14 lb. weight vest could come off, her ever growing 20+ lb “weight vest” aka baby/placenta/fluid could not. There may have been a dirty look here or there when I stripped mine off and said, “Whew.”
Regardless, it is great for pregnant women to move – but it doesn’t have to be what makes you feel sick. Working out should be and always is adaptable with Mutch Fitness, to ensure safety, health, and maintain integrity in your body movements and in your mind.
Anyway, if you have a pregnant lady in your life, give her a god damn high five, because her body is going through something harder than any workout will put you through.