Want to know something crazy?  This week, BabyHTP is longer than an iPhone, if you include the little legs! 

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WHERE IS BABY HIDING?  An iPhone seems ginormous.  I have this weird theory about my insides… I don’t like to think of myself as having organs.  I prefer to think of myself as a steak.  No lungs, no intestines.  Just a filet mignon on the inside.  There’s far too many ways my organs can screw up.  So sometimes, I look down at the little baby bump and think, “Where is that kiddo?!”

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Here’s what babies are doing at Week 15: “Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She’s busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she’s likely to move away from the beam.”  (Source)

 

I had so many potential topics to discuss this week – pregnancy body image, The Happiest Baby on the Block, my pregnancy small group (our discussion on Monday was AMAZING) – but I thought I’d stick to something many people have asked me about:  exercise!

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For many years, doctors recommend that women just spend the entire 9 months on the couch, but now, we know that there are many benefits for mom and baby.  Safe,moderate exercise improves mood/body image, helps maintain a healthy weight gain, and strengthens muscles and prepares the body for childbirth.  Some studies have demonstrated a link between exercise and a lower risk for complications like gestational diabetes and preeclampsia.  Furthermore, “Previous research has indicated that exercise in the first trimester, when the placenta is formed, helps forge extra blood vessels so that there is more opportunity to exchange nutrients between mom and baby” (source). And last, but certainly not least, when the mom exercises, the baby’s heart benefits, too – resulting in a lower and more efficient fetal heart rate (source).

 

I never thought to myself, “I MUST be a pregnant runner.”  I always admired women who ran throughout pregnancy but didn’t want to pressure myself to keep up with my beloved sport if it was too much.  All I knew was that I wanted to stay active throughout the experience.  I resolved from the get-go to just play it by ear and exercise when and if I could and wanted to.

 

Going into pregnancy with flexible expectations was really, really helpful (actually, I think this is a good attitude for exercising through all stages of life).  It kept me motivated to do what I could do and not harp on what I could not do. I’ve been able to maintain three workouts per week, exercising for about 90 – 110 minutes a week.   When I add in time spent walking James, I am probably hitting the CDC’s recommendations for pregnant ladies (sometimes, we walk pretty slow to allow for ample sniffing time).  Generally, I’ve ran 2 times a week and did some sort of cross-training, like swimming. I would really like to add in an extra swim day or prenatal yoga – we’ll see if I can fit it in. 

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Running does wear me out faster than swimming.  I’ve noticed that my legs and knee feel sore (in an unusual way – not related to shoes); I think it’s because of the pregnancy hormones that relax your joints.  I’m planning to do a 5K on New Year’s Eve and hope that I can continue running/walking/wogging for  many more weeks, but honestly – I think it’s a wait-and-see thing.

 

Here are my Babble posts from this week:

Your guide to those exciting nine months

 

And here’s Week 15 in a nutshell:

 

  • Total weight gained:  Unknown – no weigh-in this week.

  • Workouts:  Three – a 5K run, a 3.5 mile run, and 1,000 meter swim.  Keeping up with my planks, too!

  • Coolest Symptom:  I can officially feel the baby moving around; it feels like a baby birdie fluttering his wings.  I’ve only felt it twice but while trying to fall asleep.

  • Most Unfortunate Symptom:  I’m breaking out like a 13 year old boy.

  • Scariest Symptom:  On my swim, I coughed in the middle of a stroke, and it felt like my uterus was going to fall out.  It was incredibly painful and scary.

  • Cravings:  Christmas vacation.

  • Aversions: Work.  Oh, wait – you meant food aversions?

  • Fun Coincidences:  This week, I found out that not one… but two friends are also pregnant! 

  • Heartbeats Heard:  We listened once on the Doppler.  The heartbeat was harder to find this time… seems like the baby was lower and hiding under my pubic bone.

  • Waiting For…:  The day the Husband can feel the baby moving, too!

 

Were you/are you active throughout your pregnancy?  What helped you stay committed? And you prefer to think of yourself as an organ-less steak?

{ 62 comments }

 

  • Andrea @ Run, Eat, Date, Sleep December 21, 2011, 1:42 pm

    Loving your bump in the swimsuit 🙂

  • kate December 21, 2011, 1:46 pm

    I am 2 weeks ahead of you and it is so much fun to follow your progress! This is my fourth though, not my first :), Watching you experience everything for the first time is so awesome, it reminds me of my first pregnancy!

    My vote for the gender of your baby is girl!

    • Caitlin December 22, 2011, 11:32 am

      Congrats!!!

      Why do you think BabyHTP is a girl?? 😉

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat December 21, 2011, 1:47 pm

    Whenever the day comes that I am pregnant, I fully intend to stay active throughout pregnancy. While I won’t be running marathons or anything with a big baby bump, I plan to do something similar to what you’ve been doing with your blank training plan. 🙂 That is so cool about the baby being able to sense a flashlight beam – I had no idea that was possible!

  • Jen December 21, 2011, 1:48 pm

    Feeling the baby move is the best thing in the world, isn’t it? 🙂 Wait til he/she starts kicking and turning over!

    I’m on my second pregnancy now and I’m currently still jog/walking at 25 weeks. But this is really the first week it’s starting to be uncomfortable. I’m determined to stay active this pregnancy, whether it’s walking, yoga, gym cardio, whatever. I gained almost 50 pounds during my first pregnancy and there’s no way I’m doing that again! I never lost all of the weight from that pregnancy so I started out about 15 pounds above a good, healthy weight for me this time. Technically I wasn’t officially overweight when I started and the ob wasn’t too worried, but I’m very conscious of it this time!

  • kathleen @ the daily crumb December 21, 2011, 1:49 pm

    love these updates!! i spy a bump!

  • Amy December 21, 2011, 1:54 pm

    I’m guessing that pain you felt when you coughed was a round ligament pain. Don’t worry — it’s completely normal and just a sign of more ligaments loosening. 🙂

    I think you have the right attitude about exercise during your pregnancy. It’s been a struggle for me to not be able to push my body in the way I could pre-pregnancy, so I’m trying to look at my workouts/activity level in a different way. I hope you love prenatal yoga when you try it out — I’ve found the focus on breathing through difficult stretches or poses to be THE MOST helpful thing so far. Good luck!

  • Brittany (A Healthy Slice of Life) December 21, 2011, 1:55 pm

    Seems like you are just cruising through pregnancy like a pro! 🙂

    PS- baby movement is by far my favorite thing about pregnancy. Enjoy the flutters… soon they’ll be kicks and rolls! Squeeeee!

  • Whitney December 21, 2011, 1:57 pm

    I’m not pregnant nor have I ever been pregnant but I have two friends that are due within two days of each other next month. Both have had very different pregnancies and I firmly believe it is because of exercise. One has exercised all her life, playing sports, etc and has continued to do that through her pregnancy and has had the easiest pregnancy. The other one is overweight going into her pregnancy and is not an exerciser and has not had a difficult pregnancy. I understand that everyone is different and that exercise may or may not be the difference between the two but I do believe it does help tremendously! Keep up the good work Caitlin 🙂

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) December 21, 2011, 1:58 pm

    I worked out moderately during pregnancy. My first one was so easy, but my second one was just scary. I bled through most of it and was in so much pain. I love the flutters! I swear, when I have gas now, it reminds me of the little flutters and kicks. Gross, but I miss those memories. Pregnancy is really such an amazing experience. I thought is was so wild that you actually grow an organ for pregnancy. The placenta always fascinated me.

  • Lexi @ A Spoonful of Sunshine December 21, 2011, 1:59 pm

    Haha I agree–I don’t like thinking of myself as having organs either! It’s just…weird.

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife December 21, 2011, 2:01 pm

    YAH congrats! I say that ANY exercise as a pregnant lady is better than none–so go you! I’ve never been pregnant, but I too have tons of friends who are–so exciting 🙂

  • Amber K December 21, 2011, 2:06 pm

    That would definitely be scary to feel that kind of pain during a swim. Hope you haven’t had any more!

    If I ever get pregnant I definitely still want to be active. I think it’s great that you’re getting out there and doing what you can do 🙂

  • Maria December 21, 2011, 2:14 pm

    You r looking so beautiful! 4 weeks ago we decided to shoot for a baby and I am super excited to read your posts. I am definitely sure that exercise will help during pregnancy, and it is amazing to see how it works for you! Maybe being pregnant might be the best motivator to get yourself moving – because you are not doing it alone for yourself (although it seems to be important to take care of yourself, too)…

    • Caitlin December 22, 2011, 11:32 am

      Good luck with trying!!!

  • Rosa - Fitness Food Fulfilled December 21, 2011, 2:19 pm

    You’re so lucky you’ve felt your baby move! I can’t wait for that day! I’m hoping a few more weeks (I’ll be 16 weeks on Sunday).

    I’ve been continuing to run throughout, averaging between 15 and 20 miles a week, plus other cross training like strength and an elliptical trainer. It is getting harder and I’m definitely slower. It doesn’t help that I can’t breathe as well (smaller lung capacity, grrr). It makes me feel awesome to workout!

  • Jolene (Homespun Heritage) December 21, 2011, 2:25 pm

    ~Great job Caitlin~ Keep it up!

  • Jennifer December 21, 2011, 2:37 pm

    How did you manage the first trimester being so sleepy all the time? By the time I get to my normal workout time I am too tired to move yet alone workout?
    PS I love your blog!! Just found it recently

    • Nina December 21, 2011, 4:14 pm

      Agreed. I’m 14 weeks and by the time I get home from work, all I want to do is sleep. I’m just starting to get some energy again so I’m hoping I can start working out again. I’ve always said that I would remain active during pregnancy but that’s easier said than done!

    • kristin December 21, 2011, 6:35 pm

      I felt so crappy during most of my first trimester (nausea and exhaustion!) that I only worked out like 1-2 days a week. It was a big adjustment because I had just trained for and ran a half marathon. Buuut after I started the 14th week I started to feel great and got right back on the wagon. Don’t be discouraged that you haven’t had the energy, resting is healthy too when you need it! I used to get home from work and go to bed at 6pm haha. Its never too late to jump back in. I’m now 29 weeks and I can feel the tiredness creeping back up for my 3rd tri!

    • Caitlin December 22, 2011, 11:31 am

      There was a def a few weeks in the first trimester that I only worked out 2 a week, if that. I just tried to do it when I had the energy and not beat myself up if I couldn’t. Also I found it was best to do it in the AM, otherwise I was too tired.

  • Sana December 21, 2011, 2:44 pm

    I have a feeling I may be the pregnant person that spends 9 months on the couch bitching and moaning. Oh wait.. I do that now 😉

  • Dana December 21, 2011, 3:01 pm

    One of my close friends is 21 weeks and her husband felt the baby move for the first time last night. He said it was amazing.

  • Sarah T. (Team Trader Mom) December 21, 2011, 3:10 pm

    I exercised throughout my pregnancy and it really helped in delivery (still ended up needing a c-section but my recovery was much quicker than normal). I even played volleyball up through the 7th month!

  • Joey December 21, 2011, 3:21 pm

    So, so amazing. I am unable to have babies & I think that is one of the biggest things I’m sad about – not being able to experience pregnancy / feeling the baby move & knowing there is a human growing inside my belly! So awesome & I’m still so grateful you are sharing this experience with us! 🙂

    • Caitlin December 22, 2011, 11:29 am

      I’m sorry Joey 🙁

  • Marci December 21, 2011, 3:26 pm

    You seem to be doing great! I am an active exerciser during pregnancy and think it has been very helpful in feeling good. I’m glad I’ve been feeling good all day anyway, but exercise really helps feel accomplished. 28 weeks tomorrow and still exercising!

  • Lisa (bakebikeblog) December 21, 2011, 3:34 pm

    Mr BBB and I have been walking a heap during this pregnancy. IT has been a nice way of catching up at the end of our work days too!

  • lauren December 21, 2011, 3:34 pm

    That must’ve been amazing to feel the baby move for the first time! I can’t even imagine 🙂
    I hope to be active when it is my turn, I can’t imagine sitting around for nine months!

  • Tiffany December 21, 2011, 3:39 pm

    You look adorable!! Love your idea of a training plan! I think i’m going to start my own.

    By the way, I’ve been thinking of signing up for my first 5k…I feel a bit scared and intimidated but I’m just going to push myself to get out of my comfort zone. How did you feel before your very first race? (When i do sign up…im not going to focus on a time just pure enjoyment. Then maybe the 2nd time around or even 3rd I’l focus on timing…dont want to pressure myself too much lol) What do you think?

    I love all of the quotes that you end your posts with! Can you make a page for just quotes 🙂 very inspiring!

    Hope you are having a great day! and enjoying the mani/pedi!

  • Johanna B December 21, 2011, 3:42 pm

    Wait til you can see her/him moving around inside you. I remember sitting in the tub watching her do karate punches – pushing out my stomach. Fascinating.

  • Katheryn December 21, 2011, 4:03 pm

    I am 20 weeks pregnant with baby #3. I exercised through my first two pregnancies, and so far have kept it up to 5 or 6 days a week exercising this time. I always found it funny when people would recommend me going on long walks to help induce labor. I went 2 weeks over with both kids and was exercised almost ever day through the whole pregnancy! So I definitely don’t think it helps induce, but it did help my delivery and recovery time. Staying active also helped me bounce back faster and feel more like myself after delivering baby. Good luck with your goals!

  • Tiff @ Love Sweat & Beers December 21, 2011, 4:09 pm

    Great job keeping up the exercise. I don’t know what I’ll be able to do when my day comes, but I hope it’s at least something! I never turn down a good walk.

  • Kate December 21, 2011, 4:24 pm

    I ran for the first half of my pregnancy then switched over to walking. I felt like a wuss at first until I talked to a lady I know from work who once came in 15th place in the Boston Marathon–she had 4 kids and didn’t run through any of her pregnancies. More power to the people who can do it–it felt way too jarring to me.

  • Samantha @ Mama Notes December 21, 2011, 4:32 pm

    What brand is that black swimsuit? I want it! It’s so cute. I have a nike 2 piece but I need a 1 piece I think…. every time I take my kids swimming one of them accidentally pulls on my top, or the bottoms fall off after going down the slide or something.. ha

    • Caitlin December 22, 2011, 11:24 am

      Its’ a TYR and reversible, so the bathing suits in those pics are actually the same suit!

  • Priyanka December 21, 2011, 4:35 pm

    I was being very lazy throughout my first tri but now I sort of have a renewed energy. I have been exercising three times a week, mainly pilates and at home workouts but its definitely better than nothing.

    I found out that two of my friends are pregnant too, i guess tis’ the season 🙂

    We also found out that we are having a baby boy 🙂

  • Jamie @ Don't Forget the Cinnamon December 21, 2011, 5:02 pm

    Wow the flashlight thing is fascinating!!
    Way to go with your exercise routine–sounds like your doing marvelously!!
    And I’m also planning on running a New Years Eve 5K!

  • Kate December 21, 2011, 5:05 pm

    I’m a long way off from having kids but I can’t wait to experience being pregnant and feeling the baby move!

  • Katie @ Peace Love & Oats December 21, 2011, 5:41 pm

    I can’t believe how big the baby is already! and congrats on the workouts! I think it’s definitely best for all of us to have flexible expectations for things, especially working out. LIFE is more important.

  • kristin December 21, 2011, 6:42 pm

    I’m 29 weeks and still exercising. I must admit its getting harder now to drag my butt to the gym! The hardest part is the shift in attitude like “working out 3 times a week is ok, I don’t need to workout 5 times a week” and “going for a walk is exercise” rather then thinking that going for a walk is actually wussy haha. I can’t wait to go for a long run and try to go for speed and not survival like I do now haha.

    • Caitlin December 22, 2011, 11:23 am

      me too 🙂

  • K December 21, 2011, 6:52 pm

    I have had a ball with exercise during my pregnancy, but now in the mid-twenty week range, I am learning that I have some very real limitations. I simply cannot continue with my 6 days a week routine and be functional in my life. It has been a difficult thing to accept, but now I’m focused on feeling awesome – and I’m willing to adjust however I need to. I still swim and lift and do lots of walking hill repeats, but I definitely train with far less intensity and for less long. This seems like the first lesson in mamahood: it’s not all about me any more! This is such a small sacrifice for something as miraculous as a babe! Enjoy every moment of being active and I really mean that – enjoyment is the key!

    • Caitlin December 22, 2011, 11:22 am

      Yay what a nice comment 🙂 Congrats!

  • Lisa December 21, 2011, 6:59 pm

    My hope is that I can continue my current fitness level. I know I can at least swim! 🙂

  • Jessie December 21, 2011, 8:02 pm

    The baby belly is so cute!!

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey December 21, 2011, 8:28 pm

    Woohoo! Look at that baby bump in the bathing suit – too too cute!

  • Allison December 21, 2011, 8:39 pm

    You look so cute!! BabyHTP might be huddled in close her mama! With my first pregnancy I showed by 16 weeks. With my second pregnancy I didnt really show until 24 weeks!!! And I was MUCH smaller (she must have huddled close to my back or something). There goes the “popping faster” theory with the second. But my second baby was much like how she showed – she always want to stay close to her mama!

    You look beautiful and have such a cute baby bump!! Flutters are an AMAZING feeling 🙂

  • Khushboo December 22, 2011, 12:31 am

    Check out the baby bump- too exciting! Have u guys been measuring the bump?

    • Caitlin December 22, 2011, 11:22 am

      no not yet! i guess we will when we finally go back to the doc.

      • kristin December 22, 2011, 4:10 pm

        My Dr didn’t measure me until 25 weeks or weigh me until 12wks! I didn’t really show until about 20 weeks or so.

  • Jen December 22, 2011, 1:25 am

    These “what your baby is up to” updates are SO interesting! So, I just have to ask, did you try the flashlight thing?

    You are such a cute little Momma!

    • Caitlin December 22, 2011, 11:19 am

      🙂 Thank you!

      i did not try the flashlight thing. I should!

  • Yolie @ Practising Wellness December 22, 2011, 5:27 am

    Aaah, so happy for you! Must be so exciting! hehehe…I quite like that steak idea, lol! Makes me giggle. And I love you comment about work aversion. Bahahaha! 😀 xyx

  • Luna December 22, 2011, 10:00 am

    I’m such a huge fan of exercise during pregnancy!!I’m a runner, I’ve ran several half and a marathon and I run an average of 6 miles every morning. BUT I live in Italy, where the wast majority thinks that it’s not appropriate (for many reasons, one of them being that this would make people around her/who sees her uncomfortable!!!!)for a pregnant women to exercise/run. The worse part about it, is that I recently had a ob gyn visit, and the doctor ( a woman) told me: 1) you’re perfectly healthy 2) you should stop running as soon as you find out you’re pregnant. She couldn’t provide any reason why other than “to be sure”. I was so mad and now I am scared that every doctor out there will tell me the same!! 🙁

    • Caitlin December 22, 2011, 11:19 am

      That sucks… I mean, it’s important to listen to your doctor, but at the same time, not every doctor is up to date on the latest research.

  • Megan @ The Road to Skinny December 22, 2011, 10:01 am

    I am super jealous! I’ll be 18 weeks on Saturday and I have yet to feel the baby move! You have a super cute baby bump, too!

  • Jess December 22, 2011, 10:40 am

    I was active my entire pregnancy. I was actually at the gym two days before I gave birth and went for a 3 mile walk the day before. I really think it helped with my labor and delivery as well a keeping the weight gain in check. I was only able to run into my 5th month. After that my bladder couldn’t handle it.

  • Lauren @ HugsKissesNDishes December 22, 2011, 12:28 pm

    Great job on the exercising! Although, 9 months of being a blob on the couch sounds pretty nice..bet it would get old fast right? Happy Holidays!

  • Zulkey December 22, 2011, 3:12 pm

    If/when I get pregnant I intend to keep active for sure. I’ve put too much work in over the years to get into the shape I’m in just to let it go to pot. I know how hard it is to get back INTO shape and how hard it is to lose weight so I’d love to just stay as mindful of all that in general. Plus I’d probably think of labor as the ultimate finish line, one you have to be in good shape for!

  • Megan @ Striving for strides December 24, 2011, 4:52 pm

    I think you’re definitely going to have a girl! THat’s my vote 🙂

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