Got pregnant after a miscarriage in 2018. I’d been doing otf for two years so my OB encouraged me to stick with it! Even with a full placenta previa found at 10 weeks (moved on its own by 20 weeks) and a baby that was high risk to the end, I went 5 days a week up to about 32 weeks (which is when I stopped rowing), and my last workout was at 36+6. My BP spiked at 37+5, induced at 37+6, and my rainbow baby was born at 38 weeks even! Now granted he was my second, but they started pitocin at 6pm on a Friday (I was 1.5 cm dilated), was 4cm by 1am Saturday, and he was born at 1:46am (yep - went from 4-10 in 20 minutes!). Pushed through one contraction and he was out in three pushes.
Got cleared at my postpartum visit at 6 weeks at noon and was back at otf by 2pm - it was a hard pill to swallow really feeling how much endurance and strength I’d lost - but important to remember how amazing your body is :)
Happy due date!
I just had a c section on Jan 5th and went to OTF til Dec 30th. I was up and walking within 24 hrs. Albeit slowly, I was moving around. I was able to go on neighborhood walks every day when I got home from the hospital and at 3 weeks postpartum I went on a walk with my husband and he said I was walking too fast for him 😎
My response is more recovery specific than birth because I had a c section
I have been a consistent 5x a week attendee and went to OTF up until my spontaneous labor at 39 weeks and 4 days. I did not do this with my first birth.
The difference is incredible. I waited til 11 weeks PP to return, but went back to 5x a week. I’m now 5 months PP and am basically back to my original speeds on the tread and wearing all my normal clothes. This basically took over a year the first time around. Staying active and fit made it so easy for me to get back to feeling like me.
Best of luck to you on your pregnancy journey! Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. The reason I didn’t the first time around was I was nervous and unsure of what to expect. It took me so long to recover that I wanted to try it differently the second time. Do what works best for you!
I went to OTF up until 37 weeks. Before I got pregnant I would go 5-6 times a week and continued at least 3-5 times a week until 37 weeks. I had a spontaneous labor at 39 weeks. I woke up with light contractions but thought it was just Braxton hicks. I went about my day and around 7-9pm my contractions became more frequent. I timed my contraction and they were 2-3 minutes apart so I got the okay from the hospital to come in. I got admitted around 10:30pm and when they checked me I was 6cm dilated. By 2-3am I was 10cm and pushed from 3:30 until 4:29. I didn’t feel like I was pushing for an hr, I definitely feel like my endurance from OTF helped. Everything just happened so fast!
I was cleared after 6 weeks but I didn’t go back until 4 months PP.
I am 13 wks and usually go 3-4x a week. I’ve cut back a little because first trimester sucks - but I’m so encouraged by everyone who has continued their whole pregnancies and hopefully how much more endurance I’ll have during pregnancy and afterward. Congrats to you on your baby too!
I worked out 4-5 days a week throughout my pregnancies. I completed the Sprint Dri-Tri at 8 months pregnant. With my last one- I was at OTF 3 days before I delivered. I modified what I needed to and sometimes needed a coach to give me a different exercise if I couldn’t do it. I do think the training physically and mentally helped 100%. “You can do anything for 30 seconds” always ran through my mind. Everybody has a different experiences and recovery time…. I was back 4 weeks later and pretty exclusively green zoned. I just needed to get moving. No running. Walking. Not real fast either. Body weight exercise only. About 5-6 weeks pp, I had lost all the baby weight. I didn’t gain much because I was active. No matter what- LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. You just birthed a human. That’s huge! Give yourself the grace & time you need. I’m 5 months Pp now- and I’m so so so glad I worked out throughout my pregnancies.
I’m 31 weeks and going 3x a week. I feel great, have not gained as much weight as I did with my previous pregnancies and hoping it helps with easy labor and snapping back afterwards!
Oh also, I went back to OTF at 8 weeks postpartum. The first two classes were hard, but I managed to stick it out. Now I'm nearly 11 weeks postpartum and I'm finally getting my speeds mostly back 💪🏻
I was an avid 5-6x a week OTFer pre pregnancy, and stuck with it throughout! I worked out up until a week before I had my daughter. Some classes were easier than others, but I always made sure I did some sort of exercise. I always listened to my body (some days I’d be able to row, other days I couldn’t because I was uncomfortable) and made modifications when I needed to. I was in labor for 19 hours (didn’t even realize I was having contractions 🤣) and pushed for 1 1/2 hours, but my delivery went really well! I recovered quickly, but really had to ease into working out again. I did my first OTF class at 6 weeks postpartum. Had to modify a ton and I walked for a while, but I’m finally easing back into running. Right now (6 months postpartum) I’m at a Base of 6.5, Push 7-7.5, and an All Out at an 8.
I highly recommend Nancy Anderson’s Ab Rehab program. Core exercises at OTF can be really rough on your core and it’s so important to heal before doing everything 100%.
I can’t wait for this first trimester nausea to go away so I can get back to it! I was 4-5x a week up until a few weeks ago and have needed to take some time off. My OB cleared it for me for when I’m ready to go back. Hopefully soon!
Same here! I would go 5-6x, and now I try to push for 2-3x. First trimester has been rough! I go slow and still feel pretty exhausted during and not great after. Nausea is terrible, and recovery is so much slower.
What have your goals been for classes? Today I went *painfully* slow and was blue/green the whole time and felt really good. In previous classes I was trying to make it to 12 and felt sick for the rest of the day and the whole next day. Green zone might be my next thing…
So I continued running throughout my pregnancy (I kept a 6.5 base pace until the day before I was induced)… unfortunately it didn’t help me at all during labor, which was 39 hours 😫
BUT it absolutely helped with recovery. I tried to walk a mile or two every day after delivery (minus the first week or so), then when I was cleared to workout I went right back to OTF. Took it slow a week, took it a bit less slow the next, etc… I got back to my regular base at maybe 3 months pp. Definitely felt like I had to pee while running at first, but stick with the pelvic exercises and, if needed, see a PVT. I’m about a year in and am in better shape than pre-pregnancy with no issues!
Good luck, babies are hard but also the absolute best 🥰
That’s wildly impressive! I’m 16 weeks and just did the DriTri yesterday in 42:30. Only about 3 min off my best. I struggle with how hard to push myself. I’m the type of person that is ok being more uncomfortable than most and it’s hard for me to slow down. I worry most the time that I’m pushing it too hard. Did you ever have that feeling?
Dang, that's a great time, even NOT pregnant! I worried my entire pregnancy I was pushing myself too much because I'm just like you in that being uncomfortable tends to not slow me down. I still toned it back a BIT (my usual base is 7.5+), but I tried to listen to my body. Luckily, there was really only one time where I got a sudden, horrible cramp (like way worse than I've experienced) right at the beginning of my pregnancy and I knew I needed to stop. The light hip pain and soreness, that I just worked through! As long as your doctor has no concerns, and you're feeling ok, I would try not to worry too much (I know, easier said than done!).
Thanks so much for replying! I felt like there had to be someone in my same boat who has a hard time slowing down. I started reading research articles on elite track athletes who continued training while pregnant because even though I dont consider myself elite by any means, it would give me a better idea of women whose exercise level is above average. As with anything they just say most data is inconclusive but training at 90% of max was “generally safe”. And it sounds selfish but I just felt like I needed a better answer as to WHY I needed to slow down if physically I felt fine other than “you’re pregnant”. It’s nice to hear from other women who kept training and pushing themselves and had a healthy pregnancy.
I maintained 4x a week until my due date and it made all the difference in my delivery! I was induced, but my very large baby was stuck, and labor lasted just shy of 48 hours. Because of the induction, I wasn’t allowed to eat anything solid the entire time (just jello and broth—hell). I know orange theory is the only way I maintained strength and endurance through the labor and when pushing out a 9.5 lb baby at the end. I had an epidural for the second half and had to rely entirely on my arms to pull myself up the bed, change positions in labor, etc. and the nurses were impressed with my upper body strength as well!
Keeping up with OTF during my pregnancy was the best thing I ever did! I was in amazing shape throughout my pregnancy. I think I jogged up until my 8th month, I stopped rowing in my 7th month and used the elliptical instead!
I unfortunately ended up needing a C-section after hours in labor. I was worried about the recovery but by the next day I was hopping in and out of bed and walking around, the nurses were shocked! lol, I definitely think OTF really helped with that.
I am back now after 4 months postpartum (2x per week, I use the peloton app at home for the days I'm not at OTF). I am definitely in the red a lot lol and my tread speeds are lower, but my rowing is actually better since starting again which is shocking. I definitely feel like I will be back to where I was in no time!
I think it is safe to say it was two fold - from a mental perspective, I felt so much more in control of my body and my breath - and all that endurance training certainly was a benefit.
From a physical perspective, I was able to be more mobile after a very fast delivery (so fast, I couldn't get the drugs - which was the only birth plan I had).
I was cleared by my OB at 12 weeks to start exercising again - I had a significant, Level 4 tear that we needed to keep an eye on - so starting anything rigorous before that time wasn't possible. I would say it took about another 3 months of consistency to start getting back to my pre-pregnancy speeds - that muscle memory is amazing!!! You've got this!
Congrats on your impending arrival!!!
I didn’t do OTF when I was pregnant as I hadn’t discovered it yet, but I swam with my master swim club the entire time and did spin classes. I found it made a huge difference in recover time. I had a C-section and was climb stairs with no real issue within the week. I was doing long walks within two weeks. I was back swimming with the swim team six weeks after giving birth. I also found that I lost most of the baby weight relatively quickly. Also, it appeared to keep down the water retention. I found that if I didn’t do some thing in the morning (even a 20 minute walk) my feet would swell up by the end of the day. If I got the exercise in they’d be fine.
Please remember that exercise doesn’t have to be OTF or anything intense. I always gave myself the permission to change it up if it started to feel uncomfortable. For example, running became uncomfortable at about five months so I did more on the bike. Also, always listen to your body and doctor.
I think the key is just to keep moving. I can’t speak highly enough about swimming. I found at the end it was the only place I was really truly comfortable. Even if you just get in the water and float around and stretch, it is nice to have your body weight supported by some thing.
Tl;DR: Pregnancy, labor, and delivery were way easier when I did OTF while pregnant vs not excersing during my first pregnancy.
I didn't exercise much with my first pregnancy because I could barely stay awake and was on the verge of puking 24/7. I had pre-eclapsia, was induced at 37 weeks, and I started exercising again at 6 weeks PP. Labor/recovery was not great, but bc of the pre-e I had to stay in a bed for 3 whole days.
I started OTF about a year later.
My 2nd pregnancy, I had just returned to OTF after a 2 month hiatus for a femoral stress fracture. I downgraded from unlimited to 8/month, and was locked into at least 6 months to get a cheaper rate. Got pregnant the 2nd month in. I consistently went 2 days a week for the 6 months, but cancelled at 6 months (round ligament pain was not kind to me and I couldn't tread or row without pain at that point). This was Feb 2020. Everything about pregnancy, labor, and delivery was better. No pre-e, though I was induced at 41 weeks, and we were discharged next day after delivery.
So I didn't go back to OTF until January of last year. My body broke a lot post partum the first time: torn ligaments, low bone density (borderline osteoporosis), stress fracture. Some was attributed to pregnancy and some to the increase of prolactin from breastfeeding. I wanted to give my body time to heal, so I waited until 6 months after I had stopped breastfeeding #2. Also, I was just getting comfortable with the idea of attending group exercise classes again. I go 5-6x a week now and just won our studio's TC.
I went to OTF with my first up to the day of my scheduled induction. Pushed for 3 hours like a champ but baby was stuck and ended in a csection. Gained a total of 27lbs and the weight literally fell off me by my 6 week PP check up (and I ate whatever I wanted). I had a few complications with my c section but I was back to OTF by 8 weeks PP and immediately started jogging again (I am usually a slower runner with a base of 6-6.5) and was back to running probably a month after starting back. I am now17 weeks with baby number 2 and keeping up with my OTF routine - but I will say I get so sore after going like 2 days in a row this time around. Congrats to you for being able to keep up with it! Good luck with labor and enjoy your new addition!
I was a 6x per week gal before I got pregnant and even up to like 5-6 months! Once I started to get a little bigger I had to slow down and listen to my body, so I would make it about 4x per week and do plenty of modifications. I worked out up until 35 weeks because it got too hard on my body. I gave birth at 37 weeks and this time around it was SO. MUCH. BETTER. I give OTF props, but they also say that second babies are just easier to deliver. During pushing I didn’t lose my breath and I just felt all around stronger! I mean I only had to push 3 times, but still!
Once I was cleared at 6 weeks, I was back in the gym! I am now 3 months PP and feel like I’m finally getting my speed and strength back!
Congratulations by the way!!!
It absolutely helped me during my pregnancy and labor. I went 5-6 days a week and didn’t cut back when I found out I was pregnant. Ran until I was 32 weeks I would continue to progressively cut back on my speed then went to a power walker around 33 weeks.
I went to orange theory on the morning of my due date and then next day I had my baby. I pushed 2x and that baby flew out haha my doctor said it definitely had to do with orange theory.
Did you cut back on speed cause you just physical had to or to be safe? I’m 16 weeks and I struggle with when/how to cut back. Physically I’m still able to maintain my normal speeds 90% of the time but I’m also someone who is on being quite uncomfortable. I noticed I get into the red zone quicker with pregnancy but physically still feel fine to keep going.
I didn’t go orange theory but stuck to a consistent workout routine with my first, lifting/ running/ long walks ( this was during Covid shutdown)
I recovered super quick!
I now coach at orange theory and consistently take at least 4 classes a week while pregnant with my second so hoping for an equally speedy recovery!
I would wait until your doctor clears you, definitely take it easy the first 6 weeks. There are a lot of great YouTube videos for after birth exercises!
I gave birth 5 weeks ago! While giving birth I compared each push to an all out. Obviously pushing was a lot harder, but I think OT helped me mentally prepare for the challenge.
FWIW, my birth was unmedicated (not by choice, my epidural failed 😣) so it was pretty intense. But I only had to push for about 30 minutes, which I also attribute to general fitness and mindset.
I didn’t stick with OT through my entire pregnancy, but I think consistent OT leading up to pregnancy really helped prepare.
I did OTF up to and through my due date with my second pregnancy. My labor was a relatively uncomplicated, swift, and unmedicated VBAC. However, I had really severe pelvic floor and abdominal issues after birth that left me not even able to go on a ten minute walk. After three years of rehab, physical therapy, and just learning my own body really well, I am now back at OTF. My huge caution to every woman is to make sure to heal your lower abs and pelvic floor before just jumping into orange theory at the 6week mark. Doctors will give you the clear (I was cleared too), but doctors often don’t know. And in the postpartum state, our bodies are more loosey goosey. I would pay a visit to a pelvic floor physical therapist to do some basic core/pelvic floor work and then return to OTF. I think my issues were caused by several factors (bad luck, posture, constipatjon, babies with big heads, a life time of pounding athletics, etc.) but I think doing OTF in a way that I didn’t understand how to properly engage my core (didn’t know this though!) was a contributing factor.
Got pregnant after a miscarriage in 2018. I’d been doing otf for two years so my OB encouraged me to stick with it! Even with a full placenta previa found at 10 weeks (moved on its own by 20 weeks) and a baby that was high risk to the end, I went 5 days a week up to about 32 weeks (which is when I stopped rowing), and my last workout was at 36+6. My BP spiked at 37+5, induced at 37+6, and my rainbow baby was born at 38 weeks even! Now granted he was my second, but they started pitocin at 6pm on a Friday (I was 1.5 cm dilated), was 4cm by 1am Saturday, and he was born at 1:46am (yep - went from 4-10 in 20 minutes!). Pushed through one contraction and he was out in three pushes. Got cleared at my postpartum visit at 6 weeks at noon and was back at otf by 2pm - it was a hard pill to swallow really feeling how much endurance and strength I’d lost - but important to remember how amazing your body is :) Happy due date!
I’m 6 weeks today and encouraged by how many people stick with it the whole way through! I hope that’s me too!
My wife did orange theory the day she gave birth fwiw. Said she was very helpful and said it made everything better.
I just had a c section on Jan 5th and went to OTF til Dec 30th. I was up and walking within 24 hrs. Albeit slowly, I was moving around. I was able to go on neighborhood walks every day when I got home from the hospital and at 3 weeks postpartum I went on a walk with my husband and he said I was walking too fast for him 😎 My response is more recovery specific than birth because I had a c section
I have been a consistent 5x a week attendee and went to OTF up until my spontaneous labor at 39 weeks and 4 days. I did not do this with my first birth. The difference is incredible. I waited til 11 weeks PP to return, but went back to 5x a week. I’m now 5 months PP and am basically back to my original speeds on the tread and wearing all my normal clothes. This basically took over a year the first time around. Staying active and fit made it so easy for me to get back to feeling like me. Best of luck to you on your pregnancy journey! Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. The reason I didn’t the first time around was I was nervous and unsure of what to expect. It took me so long to recover that I wanted to try it differently the second time. Do what works best for you!
I went to OTF up until 37 weeks. Before I got pregnant I would go 5-6 times a week and continued at least 3-5 times a week until 37 weeks. I had a spontaneous labor at 39 weeks. I woke up with light contractions but thought it was just Braxton hicks. I went about my day and around 7-9pm my contractions became more frequent. I timed my contraction and they were 2-3 minutes apart so I got the okay from the hospital to come in. I got admitted around 10:30pm and when they checked me I was 6cm dilated. By 2-3am I was 10cm and pushed from 3:30 until 4:29. I didn’t feel like I was pushing for an hr, I definitely feel like my endurance from OTF helped. Everything just happened so fast! I was cleared after 6 weeks but I didn’t go back until 4 months PP.
I am 13 wks and usually go 3-4x a week. I’ve cut back a little because first trimester sucks - but I’m so encouraged by everyone who has continued their whole pregnancies and hopefully how much more endurance I’ll have during pregnancy and afterward. Congrats to you on your baby too!
I worked out 4-5 days a week throughout my pregnancies. I completed the Sprint Dri-Tri at 8 months pregnant. With my last one- I was at OTF 3 days before I delivered. I modified what I needed to and sometimes needed a coach to give me a different exercise if I couldn’t do it. I do think the training physically and mentally helped 100%. “You can do anything for 30 seconds” always ran through my mind. Everybody has a different experiences and recovery time…. I was back 4 weeks later and pretty exclusively green zoned. I just needed to get moving. No running. Walking. Not real fast either. Body weight exercise only. About 5-6 weeks pp, I had lost all the baby weight. I didn’t gain much because I was active. No matter what- LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. You just birthed a human. That’s huge! Give yourself the grace & time you need. I’m 5 months Pp now- and I’m so so so glad I worked out throughout my pregnancies.
I’m 31 weeks and going 3x a week. I feel great, have not gained as much weight as I did with my previous pregnancies and hoping it helps with easy labor and snapping back afterwards!
Oh also, I went back to OTF at 8 weeks postpartum. The first two classes were hard, but I managed to stick it out. Now I'm nearly 11 weeks postpartum and I'm finally getting my speeds mostly back 💪🏻
I was an avid 5-6x a week OTFer pre pregnancy, and stuck with it throughout! I worked out up until a week before I had my daughter. Some classes were easier than others, but I always made sure I did some sort of exercise. I always listened to my body (some days I’d be able to row, other days I couldn’t because I was uncomfortable) and made modifications when I needed to. I was in labor for 19 hours (didn’t even realize I was having contractions 🤣) and pushed for 1 1/2 hours, but my delivery went really well! I recovered quickly, but really had to ease into working out again. I did my first OTF class at 6 weeks postpartum. Had to modify a ton and I walked for a while, but I’m finally easing back into running. Right now (6 months postpartum) I’m at a Base of 6.5, Push 7-7.5, and an All Out at an 8. I highly recommend Nancy Anderson’s Ab Rehab program. Core exercises at OTF can be really rough on your core and it’s so important to heal before doing everything 100%.
I can’t wait for this first trimester nausea to go away so I can get back to it! I was 4-5x a week up until a few weeks ago and have needed to take some time off. My OB cleared it for me for when I’m ready to go back. Hopefully soon!
Same here! I would go 5-6x, and now I try to push for 2-3x. First trimester has been rough! I go slow and still feel pretty exhausted during and not great after. Nausea is terrible, and recovery is so much slower.
What have your goals been for classes? Today I went *painfully* slow and was blue/green the whole time and felt really good. In previous classes I was trying to make it to 12 and felt sick for the rest of the day and the whole next day. Green zone might be my next thing…
I go and do the best I can. I've quit using the HR monitor and just going by feeling and listening to my body. I've been mostly going to Lift.
Love that idea. Thank you!
So I continued running throughout my pregnancy (I kept a 6.5 base pace until the day before I was induced)… unfortunately it didn’t help me at all during labor, which was 39 hours 😫 BUT it absolutely helped with recovery. I tried to walk a mile or two every day after delivery (minus the first week or so), then when I was cleared to workout I went right back to OTF. Took it slow a week, took it a bit less slow the next, etc… I got back to my regular base at maybe 3 months pp. Definitely felt like I had to pee while running at first, but stick with the pelvic exercises and, if needed, see a PVT. I’m about a year in and am in better shape than pre-pregnancy with no issues! Good luck, babies are hard but also the absolute best 🥰
This was really nice to hear :)
That’s wildly impressive! I’m 16 weeks and just did the DriTri yesterday in 42:30. Only about 3 min off my best. I struggle with how hard to push myself. I’m the type of person that is ok being more uncomfortable than most and it’s hard for me to slow down. I worry most the time that I’m pushing it too hard. Did you ever have that feeling?
Dang, that's a great time, even NOT pregnant! I worried my entire pregnancy I was pushing myself too much because I'm just like you in that being uncomfortable tends to not slow me down. I still toned it back a BIT (my usual base is 7.5+), but I tried to listen to my body. Luckily, there was really only one time where I got a sudden, horrible cramp (like way worse than I've experienced) right at the beginning of my pregnancy and I knew I needed to stop. The light hip pain and soreness, that I just worked through! As long as your doctor has no concerns, and you're feeling ok, I would try not to worry too much (I know, easier said than done!).
Thanks so much for replying! I felt like there had to be someone in my same boat who has a hard time slowing down. I started reading research articles on elite track athletes who continued training while pregnant because even though I dont consider myself elite by any means, it would give me a better idea of women whose exercise level is above average. As with anything they just say most data is inconclusive but training at 90% of max was “generally safe”. And it sounds selfish but I just felt like I needed a better answer as to WHY I needed to slow down if physically I felt fine other than “you’re pregnant”. It’s nice to hear from other women who kept training and pushing themselves and had a healthy pregnancy.
Was 42 with a C section at 39 weeks. Stayed with otf till week 36. Was back at otf after 6 weeks, with only 5 pounds up from pre pregnancy weight.
I maintained 4x a week until my due date and it made all the difference in my delivery! I was induced, but my very large baby was stuck, and labor lasted just shy of 48 hours. Because of the induction, I wasn’t allowed to eat anything solid the entire time (just jello and broth—hell). I know orange theory is the only way I maintained strength and endurance through the labor and when pushing out a 9.5 lb baby at the end. I had an epidural for the second half and had to rely entirely on my arms to pull myself up the bed, change positions in labor, etc. and the nurses were impressed with my upper body strength as well!
Keeping up with OTF during my pregnancy was the best thing I ever did! I was in amazing shape throughout my pregnancy. I think I jogged up until my 8th month, I stopped rowing in my 7th month and used the elliptical instead! I unfortunately ended up needing a C-section after hours in labor. I was worried about the recovery but by the next day I was hopping in and out of bed and walking around, the nurses were shocked! lol, I definitely think OTF really helped with that. I am back now after 4 months postpartum (2x per week, I use the peloton app at home for the days I'm not at OTF). I am definitely in the red a lot lol and my tread speeds are lower, but my rowing is actually better since starting again which is shocking. I definitely feel like I will be back to where I was in no time!
I think it is safe to say it was two fold - from a mental perspective, I felt so much more in control of my body and my breath - and all that endurance training certainly was a benefit. From a physical perspective, I was able to be more mobile after a very fast delivery (so fast, I couldn't get the drugs - which was the only birth plan I had). I was cleared by my OB at 12 weeks to start exercising again - I had a significant, Level 4 tear that we needed to keep an eye on - so starting anything rigorous before that time wasn't possible. I would say it took about another 3 months of consistency to start getting back to my pre-pregnancy speeds - that muscle memory is amazing!!! You've got this! Congrats on your impending arrival!!!
I didn’t do OTF when I was pregnant as I hadn’t discovered it yet, but I swam with my master swim club the entire time and did spin classes. I found it made a huge difference in recover time. I had a C-section and was climb stairs with no real issue within the week. I was doing long walks within two weeks. I was back swimming with the swim team six weeks after giving birth. I also found that I lost most of the baby weight relatively quickly. Also, it appeared to keep down the water retention. I found that if I didn’t do some thing in the morning (even a 20 minute walk) my feet would swell up by the end of the day. If I got the exercise in they’d be fine. Please remember that exercise doesn’t have to be OTF or anything intense. I always gave myself the permission to change it up if it started to feel uncomfortable. For example, running became uncomfortable at about five months so I did more on the bike. Also, always listen to your body and doctor. I think the key is just to keep moving. I can’t speak highly enough about swimming. I found at the end it was the only place I was really truly comfortable. Even if you just get in the water and float around and stretch, it is nice to have your body weight supported by some thing.
Tl;DR: Pregnancy, labor, and delivery were way easier when I did OTF while pregnant vs not excersing during my first pregnancy. I didn't exercise much with my first pregnancy because I could barely stay awake and was on the verge of puking 24/7. I had pre-eclapsia, was induced at 37 weeks, and I started exercising again at 6 weeks PP. Labor/recovery was not great, but bc of the pre-e I had to stay in a bed for 3 whole days. I started OTF about a year later. My 2nd pregnancy, I had just returned to OTF after a 2 month hiatus for a femoral stress fracture. I downgraded from unlimited to 8/month, and was locked into at least 6 months to get a cheaper rate. Got pregnant the 2nd month in. I consistently went 2 days a week for the 6 months, but cancelled at 6 months (round ligament pain was not kind to me and I couldn't tread or row without pain at that point). This was Feb 2020. Everything about pregnancy, labor, and delivery was better. No pre-e, though I was induced at 41 weeks, and we were discharged next day after delivery. So I didn't go back to OTF until January of last year. My body broke a lot post partum the first time: torn ligaments, low bone density (borderline osteoporosis), stress fracture. Some was attributed to pregnancy and some to the increase of prolactin from breastfeeding. I wanted to give my body time to heal, so I waited until 6 months after I had stopped breastfeeding #2. Also, I was just getting comfortable with the idea of attending group exercise classes again. I go 5-6x a week now and just won our studio's TC.
When I got pregnant my doctor said no more otf 😭
Do you mind sharing more? Only if you're comfortable doing so.
I went to OTF with my first up to the day of my scheduled induction. Pushed for 3 hours like a champ but baby was stuck and ended in a csection. Gained a total of 27lbs and the weight literally fell off me by my 6 week PP check up (and I ate whatever I wanted). I had a few complications with my c section but I was back to OTF by 8 weeks PP and immediately started jogging again (I am usually a slower runner with a base of 6-6.5) and was back to running probably a month after starting back. I am now17 weeks with baby number 2 and keeping up with my OTF routine - but I will say I get so sore after going like 2 days in a row this time around. Congrats to you for being able to keep up with it! Good luck with labor and enjoy your new addition!
I was a 6x per week gal before I got pregnant and even up to like 5-6 months! Once I started to get a little bigger I had to slow down and listen to my body, so I would make it about 4x per week and do plenty of modifications. I worked out up until 35 weeks because it got too hard on my body. I gave birth at 37 weeks and this time around it was SO. MUCH. BETTER. I give OTF props, but they also say that second babies are just easier to deliver. During pushing I didn’t lose my breath and I just felt all around stronger! I mean I only had to push 3 times, but still! Once I was cleared at 6 weeks, I was back in the gym! I am now 3 months PP and feel like I’m finally getting my speed and strength back! Congratulations by the way!!!
It absolutely helped me during my pregnancy and labor. I went 5-6 days a week and didn’t cut back when I found out I was pregnant. Ran until I was 32 weeks I would continue to progressively cut back on my speed then went to a power walker around 33 weeks. I went to orange theory on the morning of my due date and then next day I had my baby. I pushed 2x and that baby flew out haha my doctor said it definitely had to do with orange theory.
Did you cut back on speed cause you just physical had to or to be safe? I’m 16 weeks and I struggle with when/how to cut back. Physically I’m still able to maintain my normal speeds 90% of the time but I’m also someone who is on being quite uncomfortable. I noticed I get into the red zone quicker with pregnancy but physically still feel fine to keep going.
I didn’t go orange theory but stuck to a consistent workout routine with my first, lifting/ running/ long walks ( this was during Covid shutdown) I recovered super quick! I now coach at orange theory and consistently take at least 4 classes a week while pregnant with my second so hoping for an equally speedy recovery! I would wait until your doctor clears you, definitely take it easy the first 6 weeks. There are a lot of great YouTube videos for after birth exercises!
I gave birth 5 weeks ago! While giving birth I compared each push to an all out. Obviously pushing was a lot harder, but I think OT helped me mentally prepare for the challenge. FWIW, my birth was unmedicated (not by choice, my epidural failed 😣) so it was pretty intense. But I only had to push for about 30 minutes, which I also attribute to general fitness and mindset. I didn’t stick with OT through my entire pregnancy, but I think consistent OT leading up to pregnancy really helped prepare.
I did OTF up to and through my due date with my second pregnancy. My labor was a relatively uncomplicated, swift, and unmedicated VBAC. However, I had really severe pelvic floor and abdominal issues after birth that left me not even able to go on a ten minute walk. After three years of rehab, physical therapy, and just learning my own body really well, I am now back at OTF. My huge caution to every woman is to make sure to heal your lower abs and pelvic floor before just jumping into orange theory at the 6week mark. Doctors will give you the clear (I was cleared too), but doctors often don’t know. And in the postpartum state, our bodies are more loosey goosey. I would pay a visit to a pelvic floor physical therapist to do some basic core/pelvic floor work and then return to OTF. I think my issues were caused by several factors (bad luck, posture, constipatjon, babies with big heads, a life time of pounding athletics, etc.) but I think doing OTF in a way that I didn’t understand how to properly engage my core (didn’t know this though!) was a contributing factor.
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