Have any of you mothers walked outside or used the treadmill daily during pregnancy? Did it make labor easier?

Question

I am a first time mother due March 20th. From 2 and half months I have been walking on the treadmill for 30 minutes at a stretch. I go up till 2.4 at the max so my speed is 2.4 and then I change every few minutes to 2.3...a pace I can handle and won't race my heartbeats too much either. I exercise 2 days and then take a break on 3rd day, again walk the next 2 days and so on. Anyway I want to ask other moms who have walked outdoors/used the treadmill if your labor was easier, or less painful, and how was your delivery compared to when you did not exercise? Did you still need an epidural or could you use Lamaze slow chest/shallow breathing and cope with pain with the help of exercise? Please tell me moms out there! Thanks, Tracey

Answer 1

I worked out daily through my last pregnancy. It definately makes labor easier. My baby was tiny which I'm sure made it easier also. I had two painful contractions and she was out. I never needed and epidural. Good Luck!

Answer 2

Hello,
I am a mother of 4...My sons range in age from 12 to 26. I was always fairly active and walked everyday (even when not pregnant) It can very a great deal from child to child. My easiest was my 3rd (now 23) My labor went so fast that I barley made it to the hospital. I had no time for any pains killers, no epidural, Nothing. It was fast and fairly easy. I think some exercise ( be careful not to overdue it) is good. I feel when you are in good physical condition it does make a difference, You don't tire so easily during the labor and delivery process. It is always best to discuss your exercise program with your Doctor to be sure it is safe and healthy.

Answer 3

Well, my hospital no longer teaches or supports lamaze because of research linking it to fetal distress (because the breaths are either too quick and shallow or too long to give good enough supply to baby) and most women forget it anyways. I walked every night usually around 3 miles with the first and last mile being a warm up and middle mile being the areobic mile. It didn't do anything when labor came. I rocked and cried lol and tried the different things like walking and showers.....blah!! 8 hours of hard contractions and I was BEGGING for an epidural and I hadn't dilated far enough for it. I ended in a c-section for fetal distress, so never got to the pushing part. Good Luck!!

Answer 4

It's hard to say if it's less painful, since every pregnancy is different. My sister didn't exercise much during her pregnancies and barely used any pain medicine and had no trouble with both of her children. My friend walked every other day during her pregnancy and had little difficulty. Once her baby was here, she breast fed and kept walking and lost the baby weight in no time. The books I've read say that exercise is excellent to help your body prepare for labor, so I always recommend it to mothers.

Answer 5

I was like you with my last baby . All the walking helped and I didn't need any pain meds only used lamaze and the birth was so easy .Much better then compared to the pregnacy before long painful labor. But i didn't do any walking or exercising with that one.
Good Luck
momof

Answer 6

I walked two miles a day with my second child. I was in labor for a total of 2 hours. It made a huge difference to me. I was in labor with my first for a long time. I did not have an epidural. I had all of my children natural.
You will know when the time comes if you need one or not. And that will be your choice no one can make it for you.
Good Luck and Congratulations!

Answer 7

I exercised every day while pregnant with my daughter. I only gained about 25 pounds and lost it all alot quicker, too. It also helps with labor and helps you feel better during pregnancy.

Answer 8

Im sure exercising helps, because you arent letting your body rest. It has to keep in shape. Then when you have the baby it will be a faster heal time for you.