How do I know if Im doing too much?

[laurag15]

Hi girls,
So Im 18 weeks pregnant tomorrow and other than some tiredness and feeling sick/bloated now and again I dont really feel pregnant. Scan showed a healthy happy baby and recently heard heartbeat, so I think everything is ok. However, I am just worried incase I am doing too much. I have horses, so have carried on my normal routine of taking care of them which includes pushing and emptying wheel barrows of muck, bringing the horses in and out from the field, mucking out stables etc. My horses are relatively quiet so not really too worried about that side of things, Im more worried incase I am doing too much physical work as I have to do the horses twice a day and I also work 25 hours a week. I do find it relatively easy and straight forward as I have been doing it since I was a child, so its nothing new to me or my body but I do worry incase it may harm my baby......

 

[K123]

Listen to your body. It will tell you if you're doing too much or need to rest - but at the moment it sounds like what you're doing isn't causing any problems so don't worry.

 

[fafa girl]

I am in the exact same position as you so will be interested to see the replies! I'm 18 weeks and run my own dance school and, like you, I pretty much don't feel pregnant so am just doing what I wound normally do which Includes lots of physical
Activity at dancing.

My sister has had two boys and she was at dancing class all the way up until she gave birth although granted she didn't do
As much as she normally would. I just don't know when is the time to slow down and 'stop doing as much'

So I can't offer any advice but just reassurance that I'm doing the same and everything seems to be going well though I do share your fears!

 

[RoxieHart]

I think you will be okay. Like a previous poster said, your body will tell you when too much is really too much. I'm constantly running around after my daughter and having to pick her up (she's about 26pounds now) carry the pushchair down the stairs (lift is broken, Psht!!) I don't have a car and hate public transport so I walk miles on end to get to places haha ... It's all quite exhausting. Every time I worry that I'm over doing things my mum always reminds me that mums have been doing it for years

Just trust your body, you will know when something is too much! It probably helps that your body is used to doing all this stuff, it's not like a shock to the system... Kind of like if you worked out before pregnancy and carried on with a light work out during pregnancy it wouldn't be an issue because your body is used to it.

Obviously don't overly push yourself, you are pregnant, I mean come on, perfect excuse to chill out

 

[NatalieFar07]

I know what you mean as I also have a horse to look after and I often wonder if I am doing too much. Also have a dog to walk and that after a whole day spent at work! (I work with horses as well). The joys!

 

[EMSwife1124]

Definitely listen to your body... Since it is something you've done forever your body is well equipped to handle it.. Someone like me on the other hand who isn't used to heavy lifting or doing the things you mentioned might have more issues with it.

 

[UnderPressure]

I've been mucking goat stuff and hauling/stacking hay.... I just make sure all those spoil sports who tell me not to do things "because I'm pregnant" aren't around. Works out great. Thankfully my husband is not one of those people probably because he'd have to do my three hours of goat chores if I didn't. My baby bump yells at me if I run around with the dogs or goats without being careful but otherwise--no issues and I'm 23 weeks. Only accommodation I've made is spreading my legs more while I milk to have room for the growing baby.

 

[Nikko88]

It's great to keep up with normal activities. Like everyone says listen to your body.

When I've done too much, I have to sit down. There's no pushing through it. When I've done way too much, it takes 2-3 days to start feeling like doing stuff again.

Feeling tired is par for the course. Stitches in your side, abdominal pain, constant headaches etc. can all be signs of over-doing it.

 

[x Helen x]

Definitely listen to your own body, but don't let other people bully you into thinking you are doing too much if you feel fine!

I am a pole fitness instructor and carried on teaching and training right up until I was due with my first child! Granted I couldn't do the inversions after about 27 weeks as my bump got too big, but I was still spinning away! Hope to do the same this time round. I'm convinced being fit and healthy throughout my pregnancy was the secret to my fast and efficient labour last time round x