Ever since my non-pregnancy highest back in 2008, I've been a runner. I ran 4-6 times a week for years up until 20 weeks pregnant with Drew and loved what it did to keep the weight off. (Throw in a few more miles when training for the half I did back in 2008). I've mentioned on here before that I honestly don't love running, but I absolutely love what it does for my body. After years of step classes, ellipticalling, yoga, etc, it was the only thing that helped me get down to the lowest I had been since high school and I was hooked.
Fast forward to this pregnancy where around 10 weeks it was already beginning to feel very uncomfortable running, so it was on to the elliptical and lifting each day Mon-Friday. I absolutely didn't want to gain 49 pounds again, like I did with Drew, and was going to keep up cardio until the end in order to help those pounds from creeping on.
But last week, my hopes of exercising during this pregnancy came crashing down.
Now let me make one point very clear: I will do ANYTHING to help foster a healthy baby growing in this belly. Period.
Let me pause for a bit and warn you that this post is going to sound completely vain and totally narcissistic. I know that. Before you judge and consider leaving an unnecessary comment, let me please explain. You see, I wasn't blessed with a good metabolism. Actually, I was given a quite crappy one. I've struggled with weight my entire life and wasn't really 'happy' with my body until the last few years (except right after Drew's birth obvs). So being told that you can't exercise, except for 'casual walking' is quite scary.
In actuality, this has nothing to do with how I look. I'm simply terrified of getting gestational diabetes from putting on too much weight and just don't want to feel like a fat slob through the summer. So many people have said 'enjoy this time' or 'eat that ice cream and don't worry about it', but I just can't. I love food more than most people do and avoiding snacking and sweets is just not a trait I have. Without MyFitnessPal or running and only walking casually, I'm going to blimp up. Period. And there's nothing I can do about it.
Let me reiterate this point: I will do ANYTHING to help foster a healthy baby growing in this belly. Period.
So really, other than to document this pregnancy on the blog, I'd love to hear feedback of how you coped with placenta previa. If you had a marginal case, like I do, did yours shift to a normal placement? Were you able to get back into exercise if so? How did you avoid putting on too much weight due to limited exercise? Thanks friends!
I had it with Emma, and after a very scary time where I had to be rushed to the hospital, it shifted back to normal. I will be keeping you in my thoughts!! xoxo
ReplyDeleteI have no experience with placenta previa, but is all exercise out of the question? Can you still go for long walks, can you do water aerobics (if you have access to a gym)--low impact type activities? Regardless of the exercise situation, I hope it resolves for you and doesn't cause any complications!
ReplyDeleteOh so sorry to hear you can't run!! I don't have any experience with placenta previa but I've known of a couple people who started with a mild case and it did resolve. Hope that is the case for you! I can't run for the rest of this pregnancy either and it's driving me craaaaazy!
ReplyDeleteIt is NOT vain to want to maintain a healthy weight during pregnancy. It's SO important for you AND the baby to be healthy, and it's a huge benefit during childbirth to go into it fit and strong & healthy to give you endurance and peace of mind during your birthing time. Don't let ANYONE make you feel bad for wanting to gain only a reasonable amount of weight. I've never understood ppl who say "eat whatever you want" -- because that weight has to (or should) come off at some point, and that's harder to do once the kid is here for goodness sakes! I'm the same as you re: metabolism and needing MFP and exercise to stay at a decent weight.
ReplyDeleteAt any rate, I never had pp, but my good friend Ashley did, and hers did shift eventually so she was able to work out more. I'd say to really focus on nutrition in the meantime - obviously not by cutting calories, but by only consuming the recommended amt and getting it through as healthy of food as you can. In LATE pregnancy they recommend only an additional 300 cals/day, so don't listen to ppl who tell you to eat anything and everything.
Good luck hon - you can do it. I'll be praying your placenta gets a move on upward asap!
I had partial placenta previa with #2 but it did work its way out on its own and was fine. Although my water did end up breaking at 32 weeks and I always wonder if that had something to do with it!
ReplyDeleteIt definitely stinks not being able to exercise, I'm exercising right now just so I don't blow up as well, because I LOVE to eat. Hang in there and I hope your placenta moves! :)
I hope that things change and you'll be able to exercise through out this pregnancy. You don't sound vain, it's important to take care of your body!
ReplyDeleteDon't feel like you're being vain for wanting to be healthy! I never had pp, but the two friends who did, did end up having their placentas move on up. I'm hoping yours follow suit too! :)
ReplyDelete:( So sorry that you can't work out like you want too. Here is to a healthy baby. :)
ReplyDeleteGirl, I feel ya! I never ran with Max and Claire bc I was high risk, but I did walk at a fast pace. I was put on bed rest at 24 weeks and wasn't able to exercise (much less walk to the kitchen) until six weeks after giving birth. It was hard. I also have/do struggle with weight and thought that things were going to spiral out of control. But it didn't. I gained 40 lbs with twins and laying in a bed. You can do it. I think more of it is mental?
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you're going through this! I don't have any advice but I hope you and the baby stay safe!
ReplyDeleteI hope that you pp moves up and quickly!
ReplyDeleteI was so sick during my pregnancy and on restricted exercise for 10 weeks for a blood clot on my uterus and then on real bed rest for 9 weeks. So I did not exercise at all. I was so sick that I didn't really eat much either though, so I did only gain 18 pounds. However, I was not ready for the pushing part of labor, since I was so out of shape.
I guess drink lots of water, eat the filling/impactful calories you can and hope for the best? I'm sorry you have this scare and I hope it moves quickly! Maybe ask them to scan you every other week if they will, so if it does move, you will be able to get back to exercising really soon? Good luck!
Thinking of you Sara! I'm already volunteering myself to bring you a home cooked meal after this new little one arrives. :) Sending you lots of prayers and positive thoughts.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear you are going through this! And I totally get wanting to exercise while pregnant. I wanted to continue to be healthy for Xavier, and I was terrified of ending up with diabetes too! Sending positive thoughts your way :)
ReplyDeleteUgh...I'm so sorry you can't exercise! I did not have pp but I do have a bit of experience with it since I did ultrasounds. Since yours is just marginal it more than likely will move out of the way of your cervix as your uterus grows. I hope this is the case for you! I would be more concerned with it not moving if it was partial or even a compete previa at this stage.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand wanting to stay active during your pregnancy, especially over the spring and summer months! Hopefully that placenta will get the message STAT!
Oh so sorry--I ended up with SPD near the end of my pregnancy and moving in general on land was sooo painful. I put on all my weight in the last 1-2 months pretty much. Would your Doc allow swimming since that is low-impact or is that out of the question too? I know that helped me so much in the third trimester (It was the only exercise I could do too other than light walking and I was able to do it right up until 40+ weeks) I cannot emphasize how wonderful the pool was.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise, just keep drinking plenty of water (that'll curb major cravings) and eat healthy. If you were able to lose the weight post-pregnancy before you can do it again too--so don't sweat it. Just keep you and that kiddo healthy!! Best wishes.
Boo - I can completely understand not wanting to blimp up during pregnancy and it being harder to lose the weight with not only a newborn at home, but a toddler too. Like others have said, hopefully the pp will work itself out so it's not as big of an issue and you can resume some form of exercise that you feel good about. Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteI haven't had experience with pp, but a friend did and hers moved up pretty early. However, as far as weight gain during pregnancy, my gestational diabetes was very helpful in not gaining much weight. Eat lots of protein and low carb (including carbs from fruits). Since you don't have GD, splurge when you want. Just try not to do it all the time.
ReplyDeleteI did not have PP but I hardly exercised at all during my pregnancy because it just didn't feel good (I'm sure do to my being way overweight). I somehow managed to only gain 30lbs. I tried to walk everywhere I could - park farther away, take stairs, etc. I LOVE food but I tried to just eat when I was hungry and limit my sweets to when we ate out. I'm sorry about not being able to workout! hang in there and take care of you!
ReplyDeleteI do not know anything about this condition but maybe this will give you more of an opportunity to focus on diet. I always hear 80% diet and 20% fitness so there has to be some truth. I hope you can at least walk still. That can still burn great calories. :)
ReplyDeleteI can't relate to placenta previa, but can you swim? I did that when I was beyond uncomfortable with Marcus. And, the feeling of being weightless, when I was very obviously weighted, was amazing.
ReplyDeleteHang in there, you're a smoking hot mom.
P.S. Pretty sure we crossed the W&R 1/2 in 2008 around the same time. :)
I don't have any experience with PP, but I hope yours shifts to normal placement! That sucks that you're not able to keep up with your normal exercise routine, but I know a healthy baby will make it all worth it.
ReplyDeleteI'm so, so sorry you're dealing with this! It's hard enough being pregnant, let alone dealing with health concerns. Just thinking about the beautiful baby that was only a few months away kept me positive when I was puking my brains out with both my kids. Hang in there!!!
ReplyDeleteI remember they thought I might have this but once I went to my next ultrasound it showed I didn't so I will be hoping the same for you my friend! :)
ReplyDeleteHey Sarah! Sorry to hear about having the placenta previa. I had it too with Jax. Not being about to work out or anything was miserable and as you know I gained (gasp) 70lbs while preggo. it sucks but my only advise would be to just enjoy being preggo and cross your fingers it corrects itself before delivery. (usually does) Just remember you'll be able to run afterwards it just might take alittle longer to bounce back. (Took me 10months) I hope you guys are doing well otherwise!
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