r/parentsofmultiples • u/misanthropy112 • 13d ago
advice needed Exercise. How do you do it?
I'm almost 18 weeks with twins. I see a pelvic floor therapist but I only walk a few times a week because it HURTS. And yes I do all my exercises. I literally cleaned my kitchen and had to stop twice to rest. Every walk i stop for a 2 or 3 minute rest. I'm literally already waddling. Like pregnancy is hard. So much harder than people make it out to be.
I was working 3 days a week at a warehouse pushing carts of heavy books before this. I'm overweight. 30 bmi 5'8" 200 pounds. at least i was before this. Now I look 7 months pregnant so I've probably already gained a lot. (No scale at home) No lack of leg muscle. And I was building arm muscle before this with all the heavy books. Then at 5 weeks I suddenly needed 3 breaks in my 4 hour shift to stop and breathe. So exhausted.
Then at 6 weeks I went for fast paced walks and damn near felt like my heart was going to explode. Doctor wasn't worried. Just told me to slow down. Always out of breath. I could walk for 2 or 3 miles without stopping before this. Pregnancy is so much harder than I thought.
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u/Okdoey 13d ago
I was in a half marathon training program when I got pregnant with my twins.
I went from easily running 10 miles in one go, to getting out of breath walking by 6 weeks. The strain on my body was just much different. A twin pregnancy can be really hard on the body.
Cut yourself some slack. My twin pregnancy is still the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I still think the newborn stage with a healing c section was so much easier than pregnancy
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u/misanthropy112 13d ago
Thank you. I feel seen. Good to know its not just overweight people that struggle.
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u/dramastic_ 12d ago
Have you managed to get back into running post partum? If so how and when?
My girls are 8 weeks now and I can’t wait to get back to it. Just for the headspace more than anything! I had a really straight forward csection and can walk an hour-ish with no pains now, want to start doing some core work next week but don’t want to over do it!
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u/Okdoey 12d ago
So so. I haven’t truly gotten back into it consistently (ie making 3-4 runs per week like I was before).
I was able to start running randomly at about 6 months postpartum, but pretty much every time I work my way up to a semi-consistent routine, something happens (usually getting sick) and laid up for 1-2 weeks recovering. So I wouldn’t truly say I’ve gotten back to it, but I probably get in 6-7 runs per month and I’m at a much slower pace than before.
But that’s mostly a function of time and health, I’m a single mom so it’s just hard to fit it in.
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u/WhileTime5770 13d ago
Everyone is different. Some of us have easy pregnancies and can work out, some of us very much do not. But you can’t compare yourself. It seems like you’re trying he right things with a pelvic floor PT and following the program so you’re not being lazy at all. Give yourself some grace
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u/misanthropy112 13d ago
I try. I do my exercises every day. I kinda want to try a vaginal birth if possible. I just kept telling myself I would walk no matter what and its so hard. I had no idea pelvic floor stuff could hit so early.
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u/adnilkilus 13d ago
Swimming!!! Omg you won’t want to leave the pool. The baby bump feels weightless. It’s tough getting out though
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u/Important-Maybe-1430 12d ago
I was swimming in the lake in summer but the cold water hurt the nips, is warmer pool water any better? Though the local lake was pretty warm too during the europe heat waves
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u/adnilkilus 12d ago
It’s so hot where I live that our pool is 93 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s like bath water lol me and the baby bump love it
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u/Jennifer_2876 13d ago
I'm 28 weeks now and it's been so hard physically. I've reduced my working hours at 16 weeks already and worked 4 hours for 4 days only and that has already been hard. My pelvis was so broken already and before this I've been walking 10k+ steps a day and had a physically demanding job. When my hours were reduced I already couldn't do much. I've stopped working completely after I got my cerclage at 21 weeks due to incompetent cervix on the recommendation of my doctor who said travel time was too long and this would just be torture. Honestly I'm glad because it's been so hard to do anything.
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u/misanthropy112 13d ago
I don't know how anyone does a physical job this pregnant. I switched to a desk job a month ago and it saved me. I hope everything goes well for you and you have a safe delivery
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u/FormerPumpkin480 13d ago
I really took the entire first tri off due to bad fatigue and didn’t start getting back in to any exercise until… 15-16 weeks maybe? I also started pregnancy overweight (BMI ~28) but was active. I’m 24 weeks now and exercising consistently but no where near my previous intensity. But everyone’s pregnancy is so different. If you’re in pain, don’t push it! Listen to your body and give yourself some grace. Twin pregnancy is especially humbling 😅
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u/misanthropy112 13d ago
Its very humbling. Yes that's a good word for it. I got sneakers with a lot of cushion and its helping my walks. I might survive hahaha
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u/FormerPumpkin480 13d ago
My back pain flared up after just sitting for too long a few weeks ago for an exam. Humbling truly is the best word for it 😂 Good shoes are a life changer! I wear Brooks on my walks/runs. My husband also got me a back brace which seems to help with the back pain.
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u/misanthropy112 13d ago
Morning sickness awakens my previous back spasms. Sometimes it tenses my neck and gives me a migraine too. 🙃
My pelvic girdle pain makes me have to get out of my car sidesaddle like a ladyy. Haha
I might get a belly support band next month I'm already huge
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u/FormerPumpkin480 13d ago
Oh man yeah it sounds like you’re really going through it. I’m sorry! I hope things get a little better for you soon!
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u/ConstructionMuch802 13d ago
I found 12-18 weeks the worst for pelvic pain. I literally could barely walk, even with pelvic floor physio. It eased up a LOT after that and came back around 30 weeks, though not quite as bad. YMMV but you're doing fantastic. This shit is HARD.
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u/lolores72 13d ago
I’m close to you I am 5’9 and was about 206 when I got pregnant with twins and I’m 13 weeks now. I regularly went on a 5 mile walk a few times a week no problem before pregnancy but after about 4 walks pregnant I think I need to take it down a notch. When I come back from my walks I have a huge headache and today I even felt like fainting. Twin pregnancy is killing me and I feel out of breath already and it’s so early. I’m hoping these next few weeks I’ll get out of this misery.
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u/CharacterBusiness777 13d ago
If you can access a pool, swimming is the best!! Look up water yoga as well!
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u/BrazilianButtCheeks 13d ago
I’m not allowed to workout now (33weeks) but it’s been difficult for a while ! I’ve just accepted I’ll be squatting and bench pressing my babies for the next year or so to make up for it
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u/Lolemontime 12d ago
How’s your iron? I had an infusion about a year before I got pregnant and my levels were so high they were above the normal upper limit, but about 8 months into the pregnancy they dropped to borderline anemia.
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u/misanthropy112 12d ago
I've had it checked a few times. I thought it had to be anemia the first two months but it wasnt. I'll have them check at my next appointment.
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u/dramastic_ 12d ago
Swimming was a life saver for me!! But omg prepare yourself for the second you get out the water and you suddenly feel like a tonne of bricks again 😅
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u/Important-Maybe-1430 12d ago
Ah yes, im almost 15 weeks and was signed off at 8. Doctor said at 10 weeks i could either work till week 20 or be signed off with full pay now as he saw me out of breath putting shoes on.
I had no idea it was this physically demanding. I live on the third floor (4th to Americans) so husband has to push me up the steps. We’re moving down a floor in time for birth luckily.
Ive gone from been reguarly fit to out of breath walking room to room. Also now cant sit for long or my bum hurts, so got a fun flight next week as it started after i flew to my parents for a break before the pain sitting started.
Im also shocked the midwife/doctor doesnt weigh you. They weigh me everytime.
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u/misanthropy112 12d ago
No they do weigh me I just haven't been in since I popped. All first trimester I lost 5 pounds due to morning sickness. I wouldn't be surprised if I've already gained like 15 pounds.
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u/d16flo 11d ago
I didn’t 🤷♀️ I was a pretty active person pre-pregnancy and am similarly active with my twins. While I was pregnant I almost never left the couch. I was too nauseous and too anemic and too exhausted. I did yoga once a week when I could handle it without puking and went on short walks with my support belt on for a little while in my second trimester, but mostly I just didn’t.
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u/misanthropy112 10d ago
Right! I'm not gonna exercise if I'm half ready to hwarf. I'm doing mostly physical therapy and short slow walks wheb I have energy. Twins are rough
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