Exercising mamas - is it normal to cramp up?

[DesertRat]

I've gone swimming several times over the last few weeks. (I'm 20 weeks) Before I got pregnant I had been swimming regularly, and then stopped for a while before I got pregnant. Each time since I've been back, after swimming about 4 laps my uterus cramps up something awful. If I relax for a while and swim really slow (more like a float) eventually it'll ease up. But I never can swim very fast for fear I'll cramp up again.

Regardless, swimming still feels good and does wonders for the water retention. But I don't feel like I get much of a workout because I'm swimming so slow.

Am I just over-doing it? Or is this normal? The last time I swam laps while pregnant was 7 years ago and I don't remember this ever happening.

[babyrosie]

Well, I am almost 26 wks and have pretty much continued my normal exercise routine (running, circuit training, turbo kickboxing, Zumba, etc). I do sometimes get some tightening of my uterus and heaviness in my perineum. If I get a bad cramp it's like a side cramp and I just take it easy til it passes then pick things back up. If you feel good in the water I think it is great to do that. If you wait for the cramp to pass and then pick up your pace, do you start cramping again?

[keen1981]

Yes. My Braxton hicks got pretty bad after working out. Sometimes during.

Fwiw- I ran thru my entire pregnancy, with a 1/2 marathon at 27weeks. This is my third vaginal delivery. and he was my first overdue baby!!! Be sure to hydrate.

[DesertRat]

Originally Posted by babyrosie Well, I am almost 26 wks and have pretty much continued my normal exercise routine (running, circuit training, turbo kickboxing, Zumba, etc). I do sometimes get some tightening of my uterus and heaviness in my perineum. If I get a bad cramp it's like a side cramp and I just take it easy til it passes then pick things back up. If you feel good in the water I think it is great to do that. If you wait for the cramp to pass and then pick up your pace, do you start cramping again?

Typically after I cramp up I just keep swimming really slow. Today I swam the last few laps a little bit harder and I could tell my uterus was a bit tight afterwards, but not the painful cramping at the beginning.

I'm hoping to start swimming several times a week and I hope this goes away once it's more routine. It's rather worrisome.

[lynn97]

I have not felt up to exercising lately but I remember cramping when I was pregnant with DS. Nothing awful but a bit worse than normal menstrual cramps. I agree with keeping hydrated and I always stopped if they got too intense or the cramping wasn't stopping.

Sent from my iPhone using DS Forum

[EmilytheStrange]

I don't recall cramping with DD and haven't been cramping with this baby. Of course, I'm just walking, so maybe not as strenuous. And I drink a ton of water while I exercise and usually have to walk cross legged to the bathroom afterwards.

So I'd definitely make sure you're well hydrated and just try to listen to your body.

I do get some BH during my walk, but they're the normal, mild kind that just remind me that I need to pee as they press on my bladder.

[jlsquire0324]

Yea I would cramp while walking 6-7 miles. Usually I just needed water (like a charley horse) I would also have Braxton hicks. Just take breaks if you need too