Pregnancy & Baby 

Advertisement

Contractions after exercise

The uterus contracts and relaxes even when we are not pregnant. During pregnancy these contractions become more apparent. They feel like the abdomen is stretching and becoming taut and you can feel the uterus is more firm than it would be at rest. These contractions happen more frequently when we are active or when the baby moves or even changes position. When associated with lower back pain, cramping, any vaginal bleeding or watery discharge, pains in the legs or anything else unusual, they may indicate premature labour.

You did not mention how far along your pregnancy is, but women usually don't experience Braxton Hicks contractions until the second trimester and they seem to increase in frequency in the third. As you exercise, the uterine muscle fibres are stimulated and it contracts. I would not categorically stop exercising, however, unless you are having the associated symptoms or are spotting or are at risk of premature labour. Any risks would include a history of premature labour, any cervical changes, sexually transmitted diseases, advancing maternal age, hypertension or other maternal diseases, substance use and abuse and a multiple baby pregnancy.

Try resting on your side after every exercise period. The contractions should subside within a few minutes. If they don't or if you experience any of the other symptoms or you are at risk of premature labour, I would recommend you don’t use the biking or treadmill exercises.

Good luck.

Delicious     Digg     reddit     Facebook     StumbleUpon

  Get the latest iVillage news on your desktop    Sign up for more iVillage RSS feeds

© iVillage Limited 2000-2008. All rights reserved. | © iVillage inc. 1995-2008. All rights reserved.
iVillage Ltd is a UK company registered in England & Wales (3837269) at 80-110 New Oxford Street, London WC1 1HB