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Did any of you have to deal with people who were baffled that you still wanted to bellydance while pregnant? I've had several people say to me, "so... I guess you're holding off bellydancing right now?" (paraphrased) who have been pretty stunned when I reply, "nope. Still teaching and dancing until it doesn't feel right any more."
I have then had several people ask me whether it's safe to shimmy or undulate when pregnant, even more who have insinuated that I must not get the fact that shimmying is "jarring" to the baby and could cause injury. This makes me so frustrated, as I've done all the research I need and have consulted my health care professionals and all of them say it's fine to continue dancing, so long as I'm not pushing myself past my comfort zone.
I just kind of hate the vibe I get off some people that pregnant ladies are like fragile little eggs that have to be handled carefully and protected from the world. I understand it's all out of true good vibes and concern, but I know I'm a tough cookie and am abiding by my body.
Anyways, just wondering if any of you have experienced the same.
I have then had several people ask me whether it's safe to shimmy or undulate when pregnant, even more who have insinuated that I must not get the fact that shimmying is "jarring" to the baby and could cause injury. This makes me so frustrated, as I've done all the research I need and have consulted my health care professionals and all of them say it's fine to continue dancing, so long as I'm not pushing myself past my comfort zone.
I just kind of hate the vibe I get off some people that pregnant ladies are like fragile little eggs that have to be handled carefully and protected from the world. I understand it's all out of true good vibes and concern, but I know I'm a tough cookie and am abiding by my body.
Anyways, just wondering if any of you have experienced the same.
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Maryland
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Re: Fragile Things?
Mon, March 31, 2008 - 11:49 AMYeah I got a little of that. I'd say something like "Our species wouldn't have survived this far if we were *that* delicate!"
I also note that if you already have one child, you can't take it easy just because you're pregnant with another one (not that I have ever been or ever plan to be in that position!) -
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Re: Fragile Things?
Mon, March 31, 2008 - 2:08 PMI was dancing on stage when I was 8 1/2 months preggo. I didnt get the "you're too fragile" (but I did get it a time or two), but I actually had someone say that preggie mommies dancing wasnt very beautiful. I was kind of appalled. There is something beautiful about a preggie mommy. But I guess to each their own. All I can say is that my lil man (who is now 8 months old) loves the music and the live drums. He keeps great time when he beats on anything (drum, table, floor) I think I can attribute that to all the music and movement he felt while in the womb. .... plus... he sleeps through all kinds of loud music and drums still. -
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Re: Fragile Things?
Mon, March 31, 2008 - 10:45 PM> There is something beautiful about a preggie mommy. But I guess to each their own.
I agree with both. There are people who are appalled at a variety of types of belly dancers - larger women, older women, women of color, children, men. Oh well! :)
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Re: Fragile Things?
Wed, April 2, 2008 - 1:48 PMI've always thought that pregg-o momies dancing is REALLY beautiful. Lord help me if I dance and someone dares to come up to me and remark on how pregnant women DON'T look good dancing! Boy, I'd have to hold myself back.
And it's so cute to hear about your little drummer! How awesome!
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Re: Fragile Things?
Wed, April 2, 2008 - 6:27 PMYou know you are right. There's research out there that show that if you expose your baby to music (especially later on in pregnancy) while they are stil in the womb, that after they are born they associate that same music with being in the womb-the safest place they had been- and are comforted. Thus you can use this music to help with agitation, fussiness, etc.
I'm a music therapist:)
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Re: Fragile Things?
Tue, April 1, 2008 - 6:15 AMunfortunately- there are an awful lot of people who will give you all kinds of uninformed advice, and being pregnant seems to give people all kinds of social 'permission' to flout their personal opinions & beliefs. I never go the BD card pulled while pregnant, but I had strangers in the elevator quizzing me on my future parenting techniques and giving advice on stretchmarks in the supermarket. Stick to your guns, honey, we've got your back! You get really good at both smiling & nodding, & at finding simple fewest-words-possible myth debunking. Most people don't want to hear the latter, but trust me the patience you build up now can definitely be applied once the baby gets here- so maybe it's a natural defense mechanism of sorts? As long as YOU know you are being safe! -
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Re: Fragile Things?
Tue, April 1, 2008 - 11:31 AMi've been lucky with the people around me, so i haven't had to deal with much of this. when i performed 8 weeks before my due date, with my linebacker of a 3 year old on my hip, the people that saw it said they were amazed at how strong i was, but did not give me even an instant of grief. cuz preggo mums are STRONG and BEAUTIFUL!
and i shimmied as long as it was comfy. at the end there, it stopped being comfy, sooooo...the shimmies stopped.
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Re: Fragile Things?
Wed, April 2, 2008 - 11:49 AMI fortunately got only postive comments while dancing pregnant. When I was pregnant the first time, with my daughter, I worked out at the gym 4 times a week. I went to the gym at 10 am and my daughter was born at 11:30 pm. I got alot of weird looks there, especially in the weight lifting area. "I know what I am doing people, don't look at me like I am stupid or something" That's what I felt like saying. -
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Re: Fragile Things?
Wed, April 2, 2008 - 12:43 PMSo long as you don't start something new after you're pregnant - then there's no harm. Your body is used to whatever exercise you do and you have muscle memory.
Now, I haven't done much dancing of late (husband workin away and lookin after a 3 year old has made me tired in the evenings) but I have suffered from NOT doing my practice. I have had to make an effort to stretch and do basic drills cos my muscles are cryin out for it!!!
People often comment about somethin they know little about don't they?
Am 35 weeks!
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Re: Fragile Things?
Thu, April 3, 2008 - 7:06 PMpeople love "warning" pregnant women about all sorts of things and it doesn't stop there. complete strangers will give you unsolicited child-rearing advice too. there was a great article in the latest Mothering magazine about staying sane and still doing things your own way despite the judgements, unsolicited opinions,etc.
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Re: Fragile Things?
Wed, July 30, 2008 - 7:48 AMCan I just say that it is a myth that you shouldn't start something new when you get pregnant! The benefits of exercise during pregnancy are many. Just take it easy and work up to new levels slowly. Listen to your body and get along to a class designed for pregnant women!
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Re: Fragile Things?
Thu, April 17, 2008 - 9:05 AMi got that a lot while i was pregnant with my second. i usually replied, very firmly, that i and the baby would be fine and it wasn't for them to worry about anyway. my OB actually suggested i dance as long as i was feeling up to it so that i could stay strong and bounce back faster. i did undulations right up to my c-section (literally - the nurses wanted to see) and i healed up a lot faster than most women.
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Re: Fragile Things?
Fri, August 1, 2008 - 1:45 PMYes, all the time! I became very quick to respond: Yes, its actually the IDEAL exercise for pregnancy!
The worst thing that happened was that I had someone cancel a gig (daytime community event) because I was pregnant! They had booked me months before, then sent me an email saying 'sorry, we just want you to be safe'. I don't know what's worse: presuming to tell me what's safe for my own body, or hiding behind the 'safety' issue, when they obviously did no research and were just not comfortable with the idea of a pregnant woman bellydancing...
Luckily, I continued to perform all the way through in more supportive environments. Entering draped in a veil, then revealing a 37 wk belly to cheers was great. We all deserve that feeling!
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Re: Fragile Things?
Sat, August 2, 2008 - 7:57 PMI'm happy to hear everyone is dancing while carrying growing a baby..... I have cut back on my *Pro* Restaurant Gigs.... I honestly have begun to gain weight and my belly has begun to show a babe is growing.... However I am planning on doing all the Community Gigs I can! It's a opp for me to show many of my frenz my belly and to me it seems the completely appropriate thing to do for us to come back to our sisters and well show our babies as they grow...... I am telling all the organizers of the event I'm preggers and so far all are super encouraging!
I have cut back on my back bends and some yoga poses anything that does too many back bends for me..... stopped most of the pilates and I can not spin forever like before.... But I absolutely Love BellyDancing and Being pregnant I truly what our babies are thinking especially of zills;)
