Exercise = easier l&d?

For those who have had babies already, do you feel that exercising during pregnancy had an impact on your labor and delivery? How so? What kind of exercise did you do?

Re: Exercise = easier l&d?

I think it did but who knows i could have had an easish time of it anyway....

I did Physique 57 2 a week and spin up until 38 weeks and then I just walked like 3 miles a day 5 days a week for the last two weeks.

Went into labor 1 day late...labored at home until the contractions stopped me in my tracks...turns out i was 5cm...parked at the hospital at 6:08pm (kept the parking ticket) and DD was born at 11:58.

I plan on doing the same this time around

Re: Exercise = easier l&d?

i dont know if it did or didnt, but i took prenatal yoga - once a week from about week 14 all the way until week 40

i found that it helped, but im not sure if it was the "exercise" part that helped, or the relaxation & breathing techniques that helped.

i would highly recommend prenatal yoga - i cant wait to get started again next weekend!

Re: Exercise = easier l&d?

With DD#1 I went to the gym until 36 weeks and then walked thereafter. My total labor (from when I woke with contractions until delivery) was 14 hours. I wasn't admitted to the hospital until after 12pm and had DD at 330pm. This time around the gym is non-existent. However I do stretching/yoga poses almost every night and walk frequently (not as often as I'd like but at least 2-3 times per week). I'm hoping for a similar if not quicker delivery this time.

Re: Exercise = easier l&d?

I had a fantastic labor & delivery with my son and I dont exercise at all....

Re: Exercise = easier l&d?

Exercise = easier l&d?

I didn't exercise at all and while I ended up with a c section I tried hard to get him out vaginally. I wouldn't say either part of my delivery was hard. And my recovery was amazing.

Re: Exercise = easier l&d?

With DD1, I exercised very sporadically and tapered off around 7 months, except for all the walking I did as an NYC commuter. I have to say my L&D and recovery was pretty easy. This time I've been consistently working out with Tracy Anderson's Pregnancy Project (on the 8 month DVD now). I'm curious to know if I'll feel any differently with this birth. I will say that I'm a lot more flexible at 34 weeks pregnant than I thought I would ever be!

Re: Exercise = easier l&d?

With DS1 I ran until 7 months and then walked about 4-5 times a week. I also did prenatal yoga.

I don't think it helped me at all with labor and delivery. I was in labor for 29 hours with lack of progress and ended up with a c.

I think it may have helped with my recovery though. I had a very easy time recovering.

Re: Exercise = easier l&d?

I also ran until 7.5 months and walked several times a week until the day I delivered.

I had a pretty easy labor - 10 hours from start to finish and a really easy recovery as well.

Re: Exercise = easier l&d?

Posted by ElizaRags35

Posted by bettybcafe

I had a fantastic labor & delivery with my son and I dont exercise at all....

I am glad to hear that!

Re: Exercise = easier l&d?

Re: Exercise = easier l&d?

Re: Exercise = easier l&d?

Message edited 11/17/2013 3:39:37 PM.

Re: Exercise = easier l&d?

I'm not sure. With my first ds, I ran until I was 6 mos pg and then continued to walk a lot and do the elliptical until 38 weeks. My labor was still 40 hours with 3 hours of pushing. With my subsequent dc I have quit exercising earlier and earlier, and my labors have been quicker every time. I agree about exercise helping recovery, though. I have bounced back quickly every time.

Message edited 11/16/2013 6:18:39 PM.

Re: Exercise = easier l&d?

I exercised my entire pregnancy, really only stopping the last week or 2 because I was just too physically tired and I was busy getting ready for DS. He was breach so I had a c-section. I'm not sure if exercise would've helped with the delivery but it helped me keep my weight gain in check (only gained 18 pounds my whole pregnancy) and feel better generally.