39 weeks how long should i walk

But I was sore as heck afterwards, not sure I'd recommend it. What walking does is pushes your baby further down causing you to have contractions so it can start labor if your body is ready to have the baby. Take it slow at first. Maybe a mile. Then walk more if you feel up to it.

I usually walk 3 and have pretty bad contractions but they stop after I sit for 15 minutes. It doesn't work. If the baby isn't ready, they aren't coming out no matter how far you walk. Walking certainly won't hurt! Only do what u can handle and take warm baths n lots of sex! So here are some pre-labor symptoms that could mean the Big Day is coming sooner rather than later:. As your body prepares itself for delivery, your cervix will start to ripen or soften. This is also called effacement.

Your cervix may begin to dilate i. These signals affect your digestive muscles, too, and all that relaxation might mean what you eat moves through your intestines much faster than normal, causing diarrhea. To keep your uterus safe during pregnancy, your cervix creates this thing called a mucus plug that prevents germs and bacteria from getting in.

As your body gets ready for labor, your cervix will naturally expel this plug along with some vaginal blood. It may simply fall out into the toilet, or it may discharge into your underwear over the course of a few hours or days. Call your doctor. Your mental health as you anxiously anticipate labor and delivery is one thing, but dealing with the physical stress at 39 weeks is a whole other ballgame. Long stretches of uninterrupted sleep may not be possible at this point thanks to aches and pains, but if you can squeeze some short naps into your daytime hours, you can make up for some lost time.

Give yourself pillow props. FYI, every pillow in the house belongs to you for the foreseeable future, so grab what you need to feel comfortable.

Keep your back, legs, and feet supported. Sleep at an incline if it makes breathing a little easier. Pump the breaks on the spicy foods to avoid worsening third trimester heartburn and nausea. Not drinking enough fluids can make you feel less energized, more light-headed, and can even mess with your bowel movements. Aromatherapy, prenatal yoga, dark chocolate, Netflix. You will need your energy for when you do go into labor. I really recommend against pushing to induce labor. Every time you bear down, you will be doing something called the valsalva maneuver.

This valsalva will temporarily increase your blood pressure, decrease your blood flow, and cause you unnecessary strain. That is the million dollar question. From what we understand, labor seems to be triggered by a few different things. First of all, we know that substances called prostaglandins can help get your cervix ready to dilate. We also know that oxytocin is the hormone that ultimately causes your uterus to contract and induce labor. There is likely a cascade of events that happen in between prostaglandin release and oxytocin.

The quickest and safest way to go into labor is to artificially induce labor with prostaglandins and oxytocin. You may have heard that some women use nipple stimulation as a way to start uterine contractions. Nipple stimulation can cause you to have strong and prolonged contractions. The key is to go short and slow and build up. The ACOG suggests starting with as few as 5 minutes of walking each day and adding 5 minutes weekly until you reach 30 minutes at a time. In your second trimester, you may feel more energy and motivation to exercise.

Working up a sweat can feel good, but you should be able to carry a conversation and not be too out of breath. In your third trimester, take note of how your center of gravity has changed with your growing belly. You may need to stick to flat paths versus uneven terrain to avoid tripping and falling. If you experience pelvic pain, consider trying a pregnancy support belt to take some of the pressure off your joints.

Related: Best pregnancy-safe workouts by the trimester. No matter where you are in your pregnancy, certain conditions or complications may cause your doctor to suggest taking a step back from exercise.

Each case is different, so contact your healthcare provider for guidance if you have any of the following:. You can even take a day off. Related: Iron-rich foods for your pregnancy. Walking is a safe exercise for most people during pregnancy. Otherwise, contact your doctor ASAP if you experience any signs of preterm labor — like regular painful contractions or fluid or blood from the vagina — or other potential issues like chest pain, swelling, or headaches.

Another great thing about walking is that most anyone can do it — today. All you need is a supportive pair of shoes and a safe path to follow.