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Avatar universal

does walking really help with with labor?

I was thinking about this today and I'm a little skeptical. I'm now pregnant with my second baby and I thought about walking. I was reminded that with my first I worked a retail job that required a lot of walking and worked up until the day I went into labor at 39 weeks. I did plenty of walking the day of after being sent home from the hospital because I wasnt dilated enough. Spent 18 hrs in labor. Anyone have a similar story where they believe walking didnt really help?
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Avatar universal
No matter what you hear, know one thing for sure exercise is Never in vain. Good Luck to you! =)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I don't think it brings labor on.  I walk about 2 hours/day now at 36 weeks.  I was running and working out but doc just told me to stop and only walk 2 days ago (I fell while running which is why he had me stop).  He did tell me to walk as much as I like though!   I'm thinking if walking was going to bring labor on, he would not allow me to do it.  Just a guess though, I haven't read any research to support it either way.
Helpful - 0
9800385 tn?1406066575
I had was a bartender with my last one never sitting down. Walked constantly and I had her on my day off in less then 2 hours of being in labor.
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Avatar universal
Sounds like it's not a definite thing, probably depends more on the woman/ pregnancy. I know I did more than thirty minutes of walking during my 12 hours of labor after being sent home.
Helpful - 0
7657347 tn?1521844053
I don't think walking helps unless your body was already in labor. I think with all the other tips and tricks we hear about like having sex, eating certain foods and bumpy rides. They only work if your body is ready.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I thought it helped. I took walks when I had contractions. I don't think it starts labor. I think its something you do in prelabor to speed contractions up.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Maybe I'll skip the constant walking and save myself from the swollen feet, knee and back pain
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Idk I'm a bit skeptical myself. With my first pregnancy I was just at home and did no exercise what so ever. Up until the DAY OF. My mom made me walk for a good 30 min & I was only in labor for 5 hrs! My friend who walked her entire pregnancy was in labor for 14 hrs...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Well that's why I'm skeptical. I know I did a lot of walking during my nine months of pregnancy with my first. My position in retail required a lot of walking and I STILL ended up being in labor for 18 hrs. Contractions started at 6am got sent home, did more walking, went back at 6pm after mucus plug came out and had my son at 2am
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I never really walked during pregnancy and i was a stay at home mom with my previous two and i always had fast easy labor. I don't really think walking helps too much
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Walking also helps your endurance and the labor muscles for when you do go into labor. I had a sitting job with my 8 year old and that labor lasted 17 hours. Hopefully this one will be easy because i work in a nursing home kitchen. Always on the move and i can actually feel the bh contractions this time around. My doc says that the 2nd time around feels worse throughout the whole 9 months but the labor is easier and faster...usually.
Helpful - 0
9947022 tn?1407987195
It didnt help me but id been doing workouts leading up to the past week of pregnancy. I'd feel contraction then they'd stop when i stopped walking. I told my dr and she said walking only helps labor if you are already in labor and that it wont start it or bring it on
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Walking helps baby drop more which makes you dilate
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Avatar universal
Is your baby is the right position at least?
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Avatar universal
I've been walking every other day (over a mile) for the past week & nothing. I'm due tomorrow.
Helpful - 0

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