Training Throughout Pregnancy

[KungFuFuGirl]

Hi there! I am in my 5th month of pregnancy and just looking for other women who have trained or are training during their pregnancy. I would like to compare notes. I am the first woman in my school to train this far into her pregnancy and so far it's going very well! (Of course, I've been abstaining from the grappling and sparring.)

~jo
21 weeks pregnant and practicing N. Shaolin Kung Fu and Tai Chi

[Mr Punch]

Don't.

As for your tagline, I say you can't.

Is there a doctor at your school? Does your taichi teacher know the specific health benefits of the chikung relating to pregnancy? Did you know there are certain very dangerous pressure points for pregnant women? Certain postures and pressure on certain areas (I'm not talking strikes but again from odd stances) can trigger miscarriage just like that.

CMA were mostly developed by strong men: soldiers, criminals, imperial guards... that's not to say women shouldn't do them but I have spoken to many doctors about this when I've had students and friends get pregnant and they all say it's a big no-no.

Saying 'It's so far so good' is like the guy falling out of a high building. You only need to lose your child once.

You might go full-term without any problems... but what's the alternative? Your baby dies.

My advice is, stop ****ing about and go to prenatal yoga classes. They have 4000 years of experience of teaching pregnant women behind them and it's backed up by modern science too.

Dr Punch.

[Mr Punch]

Just checked your profile. You and your man are instructors and you're still training?!

Another point is you're having your first at 36 right? No offence but that's older than average and also another high risk group.

Don't want to be so negative, but we could be talking about your baby's life here.

A little exercise is good for you and the baby and it will depend exactly on what you're doing but still my feeling is a big fat No.

[spiralstair]

Hi KungFuGirl,
The basic rule of thumb with pregnancy and exercise is:
Any exercise your are familiar with and competent at you can continue,
exercise that is unfamiliar and 'new', you shouldn't start.

I have had 10 women through my years of running a kung fu school train into the 8th month of pregnancy. My wife, who is an instructor, twice continued her training to the final days of term.

Be smart, as you get bigger take out all the stamps, jumps, and shock producing movements (like bag work) from your forms. "Walking through" your forms is a way of keeping your kung fu 'available', keeping your strength and energy, and will help in delivery when its time to 'open your hips'.

Certain postures and pressure on certain areas (I'm not talking strikes but again from odd stances) can trigger miscarriage just like that.
From T'ai Chi? Please.....
Oh wait, there is "White Crane Miscarries Baby from not just Sitting on its A$$ Eating for Two"...

Be Smart, be careful with shock, and you will be fine.
Good luck with it all.

[Judge Pen]

I would be careful. My wife stoped training external when she became pregnant, but she kept practicing tai chi and qi gong. We found out, pretty quickly, that different breathing patterns can make her sick. It was specific to her and our accupuncturist told us to avoid anything that cultivated yang energy as that would trigger her hyperemesis.

Consult your doctor and, if you have one, your TCM provider too.

[Nick Forrer]

why take the risk?

Just my POV