The LABOR of Love: Part 2
Part 2: Push Play
Pregnancy is often portrayed as glowing skin and joyful anticipation, but in reality, it’s a season of rapid physical changes, shifting hormones, and learning how to move with your body instead of against it. A full-term pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks—starting from the first day of your last menstrual cycle—and is divided into three trimesters, each bringing its own unique symptoms and adjustments.
First Trimester: Why Am I So Tired?
The first trimester (weeks 1–13) is commonly marked by intense fatigue and nausea. Many women are surprised by just how exhausted they feel—even before they start showing. This isn’t just “I need a nap” tired. It can feel like walking upstairs requires marathon-level effort.
This happens because your body is increasing blood volume and directing blood flow to the developing placenta. In simple terms, you’re creating a baby from nothing. That requires an enormous amount of energy. With oxygen and nutrients being redirected, it’s completely normal to feel winded, lightheaded, or drained.
Nausea—often called morning sickness—can show up at any time of day. Some women experience food aversions, while others find themselves grazing constantly just to keep the nausea at bay. Small, frequent meals, staying hydrated, and moderate use of ginger or peppermint may help. The key word is moderation—too much of anything can backfire.
Can You Exercise During Pregnancy?
One of the biggest questions women ask is whether it’s safe to continue working out. In most cases, the answer is yes—especially if you were active before pregnancy. Strength training, running, and even high-intensity workouts can often continue with thoughtful modifications.
However, activities with a high risk of falling or impact—like skiing or contact sports—are generally not recommended. It becomes a risk-versus-reward decision.
A powerful mindset shift during pregnancy is this: intention now, intensity later. This season isn’t about chasing personal records. It’s about consistency, safe movement, and supporting your body through change. Monitoring your heart rate can also be helpful, since fatigue can make it harder to gauge how hard you’re actually working.
Nutrition, Cravings, and Balance
Food can become emotionally charged during pregnancy. Between nausea, cravings, and concerns about weight gain, many women feel pressure or guilt around what they’re eating. While flexibility and grace are important—especially during nausea-heavy weeks—remember that food is fuel. Focusing on balance and nourishment can support both how you feel during pregnancy and how you recover postpartum.
Second Trimester: The Energy Shift
For many women, the second trimester (weeks 14–27) brings a noticeable shift. Energy often improves, nausea decreases, and the baby bump begins to show. This is when pregnancy can start to feel exciting instead of overwhelming.
It’s also when many couples begin birth education classes, prepare the nursery, and start planning for baby’s arrival. The fog of the first trimester lifts, and there’s often a renewed sense of confidence and rhythm in workouts and daily life.
Third Trimester: Preparing Your Body for Birth
The third trimester (weeks 28–40) is where preparation becomes intentional. Your belly is growing, your center of gravity shifts, and movements may feel heavier or slower—but that doesn’t mean you stop moving.
Continued activity is still encouraged, as long as it feels comfortable and safe. This phase is less about performance and more about purposeful movement. Walking, strength training with modifications, mobility work, and controlled breathing exercises can all support circulation, endurance, and birth readiness. The goal is not to “push through” discomfort, but to challenge your body appropriately while respecting its limits.
This is also an ideal time to:
Attend in-person childbirth education classes
Learn labor positions and movement strategies
Practice breath work for labor and delivery
Work with a pelvic floor physical therapist
A pelvic floor evaluation in the third trimester can be incredibly valuable. It helps assess muscle coordination, strength, tension, and overall readiness for delivery. Many women are surprised to learn that preparing for birth isn’t just about strengthening—it’s also about learning how to relax and lengthen the pelvic floor muscles effectively.
Self-preparation techniques can include:
Perineal massage (when appropriate and guided)
Hip mobility exercises
Deep core and diaphragmatic breathing
Practicing labor positions like supported squats or hands-and-knees
Birth is an athletic event. Preparing your body intentionally in the third trimester can improve confidence, body awareness, and recovery postpartum.
Pregnancy is a temporary but transformative season. Fatigue does not mean weakness. Modifying workouts does not mean failure. Slowing down does not mean giving up. Each trimester calls for adaptation in a different way.
From surviving the fatigue of the first trimester, to regaining energy in the second, to intentionally preparing for birth in the third, your body is doing something extraordinary—creating life. And that deserves patience, intention, preparation, and grace.
Want the longer version of this conversation? Listen to the full episode on Spotify or Youtube🎙️
