Another Ultrasound at 37 weeks and starting the countdown!
Me at 37 weeks following one of my workouts
As many of you know, and for those that don't, once a pregnant woman hits the 34-35 week mark, she's required to go to her OBGYN for an appointment each week. If you ask me, it's slightly annoying, but it's for the best of the baby (I guess).
Well, last Thursday, March 4th, I went for my weekly appointment (37 weeks). In this visit I was weighed like usual (and still haven't gained any weight), then had my belly measured. The doctor was concerned (again) because my weight still hasn't gone up and my belly was measuring the same size as it was two weeks ago.
I reassured the doctor that my belly is definitely getting bigger, but when I lay down to get the measurement done, my belly seriously disappears. I don't know where the baby goes, but sometimes when I'm on my back, I hardly look pregnant at all. I even asked her if she could just measure me standing up, but she said back measuring was protocol.
In any matter, she insisted that I go for another ultrasound even though I JUST went for an ultrasound 3 weeks ago and it showed everything was fine. She was concerned that my fluid might be low and despite my arguments against it, she got her way.
So, the next day I went for the ultrasound (that's one nice thing about living in the US vs Canada - procedures move very quickly here). Upon this ultrasound I was shown that my baby was definitely bigger than she was a few weeks ago - by about 2 lbs - and my fluid was completely normal. Even though I felt frustrated that I had to have yet another scan, it was good to know that the baby is doing great. The other thing I learned was that her head is right in position (down low) and her face is towards my back (where it should be for delivery). So, overall, things are going very well.
Overall, I'm glad I went for the ultrasound, just to prove that my lack of weight gain (it's repartitioning from my butt to my belly), and the measurement error are totally possibly in a healthy and fit pregnancy.
But, when I was asked to go for that ultrasound on Thursday it totally bummed me out. I questioned my high activity in this pregnancy: Am I doing the right thing by being so active? Am I a bad mother? etc, etc. I even went over to a local sandwich shop and had something to eat because I questioned if I was feeding myself enough. Also, since my brain was totally in a different place, I actually ended up leaving my purse there for quite a few hours until I realized it was missing. Grr. I don't think it was necessarily "pregnancy brain", but just the fact that my mind was somwhere else and I was feeling a bit blue. (Although, I have been a bit more forgetful lately than usual... such as leaving my house door completely open one day when I headed out to teach boot camp - thank goodness I have great neighbours that shut it for me).
In any matter, knowing again that baby is thriving within such an active enviroment, I've continued with my normal fitness activity. On Sunday for example, I taught a great hour boot camp to my corporate account, and at the end of the workout, we all ran around the building for about a full mile run. Now, I'm not really a runner, but I was actually just as fast as the fastest guy running, AND I didn't pee my pants!!! LOL! (Bladder control is a bit tough right now with a baby pressing right onto it). It felt great to enjoy a beautiful sunny day with a great workout!
Monday I just did a quick kettlebell workout because I had so much work to do, and today, Tuesday I'm teaching two evening boot camps. I'm starting to feel more tired and hungry than usual, but what can I expect with approximately 2 more weeks to go? Baby is getting ready for this world and I can't deny her of that.
The moral of all of this is that it's okay to be really active while pregnant just as long as you listen to your body when it says eat and rest. Your baby will likely be totally fine, AND, from the research on this topic, your baby will come out very resiliant and healthy.
Thanks for coming to my new blog site! More to come soon!
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Books by Cassandra
The New Rules of Lifting for Women
Finally, a weight-training book that doesn't treat women like weaklings! The New Rules of Lifting for Women is for the woman who's ready to throw down the "Barbie" weights and start a strength and conditioning program that will give her the body of her dreams. The book puts to rest the shop-worn notion that women who train with heavy weights will bulk up. Nonsense!
Perfect Body Diet
Cassandra Forsythe is the author of Women's Health first-ever diet and fitness plan book. In the Perfect Body Diet, she helps you understand why women are different from each other and how they can address these differences with a personalized meal plan to help them achieve their own perfect body. She's incorporated a revolutionary hunger-reducing aid, that will help women feel fuller, eat less, and stay satisfied while losing weight safely and effectively.
Recommended Links
- Colon Health Advice
- Extreme Fat Loss Training
- Girlsgetsitdone
- Holly Rigsby- YummyMummy
- Jaya Dixit
- Livin La Vida Low Carb
- Maggie Wang
- Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods
- Marie Spano Sports Nutrition
- Performance University
- Rachel Cosgrove
- The Fit Cast
- The ISSN
- Turn Up My Workout!
- Weight of the Evidence
- Wellsphere
Comments for This Entry
I wonder if OBGYNs are so unaccustomed to seeing vigorous, highly active women that when they do see one, it registers as something "wrong."
I can't believe you're 38 weeks!! WOW! It has flown by, Cass. And you're doing the right thing for your baby with the healthy eating and exercise. I really am in awe of the workouts you've been doing this whole time - absolutely impressive. How do you handle the old "HR under 140 bpm" or RPE-based recommendations that we hear a lot? How have you personally paced your workouts through the pregnancy? I'm interested to hear your thoughts on this.
I am 10 weeks along and have been working out just about every day. It makes me feel better. My doctor said that I can do anything I did before. I like to run, so i asked specifically about running. She said that was fine, as long as my body was used to it. She also said the 140bpm is an outdated rule. She said that as long as I feel good, I (and the baby) will be fine. I still worry a bit, but I am trying to trust my doctor and listen to my body. Thanks for setting such a great example.
I worked out through my entire pregnancy, taught dance up to nearly 7 months, and performed a bunch of times, too. I wasn't as active as you - no running to speak of past the first couple of months, but then again I hate running! - but I was doing Crossfit and Crossfit Mom workouts, and prenatal yoga towards the end. I got HUGE! I think it's just luck of the draw, genetics, etcetera. My daughter ended up being 9.5 pounds, which the (not in exactly the peak of shape) midwife told me was because of my diet - ha! I'm the biggest health nut on the planet. Sometimes babies are just big.
Being strong was probably the biggest factor in how labor went for me, next to pure luck. I delivered her in exactly 12 hours from the first contraction to her first meal, with one hour of pushing. The very best thing a mother can do for herself and her baby is to be strong! I hope you have a speedy labor and a short recovery.
One other thing - I hope you'll consider writing about recovery for active postpartum women. I say this because I pushed myself too hard to work out again, and ended up with some serious pain. It's all still a bit mysterious for me, and I think it would be helpful to many if someone as knowledgeable as you shared your thoughts on the subject. Good luck to you, and thank you!
Cassandra, thank you so much for this entire series of posts on your commitment to maintaining fitness while pregnant. I agree 100% with Melissa that it is just so unusual for women here to be extremely active - period - that when it is done during pregnancy, doctors are just not prepared. In all fairness your doctor is just trying to err on the side of caution, which is probably a good thing. Anyways - what I wanted to say is - you have inspired me so much and I really appreciate all of the information you have posted including your workouts and the recommended books. Keep it up!
Thanks Ladies for your comments!
Becky: The heat rate rule is just that: OLD. It's not even a factor anymore and does not influence mother's or babies health.
As far as pacing myself - I don't push myself past a point I just can't travel. There have been many days I've scaled back my workouts because I wasn't feeling very well or strong. Yes, I do push myself a lot, but sometimes, I know my body is smarter than me and just listen to it. :)
Cassandra,
Thanks for sharing your prenatal workout lifestyle with us! (I'm just finishing trimester 1 with my fourth pregnancy). Do you wear any belly support while working out? Just wondering. :) Thanks!
Hi Rosin,
No, I'm not wearing a belly support. I looked into them and consulted a few friends of mine about them, but many said to me, "Isn't that what good abs are for?"
So far I'm not having any issues and feel pretty darn good. No pain or strain on my belly at all (even doing jump squats and jumping jacks!) :)
Cassandra
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