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Permalink Reply by circularlogic on January 29, 2010 at 1:11pm

Hoopnotica's Rayna hooped through her pregnancy, & they actually offer a special hoop & instructions for hooping during pregnancy.

http://www.hoopnotica.com/dvds-cds/the-hoopnotica-guide-to-hoopdanc...

Ultimately she should listen to her body & if it feels wrong, stop doing it. Personally though I sure wish I'd had my hoop when I was pregnant! I'd recommend a softer, lighter hoop if possible, but plenty big in diameter!

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Permalink Reply by HALO* on January 29, 2010 at 2:05pm

I am pregnant and hooping. I do not hoop around my belly, i've kept it to around my knees, shoulders, neck and above the head. I find when I need a good pick me up or burst of positive energy, above the head hooping feels sooooo good. Great for stretching out head to toe. Also just dancing with the hoop and doing little moves that get your grove going can be so wonderful for the pregnant mind. Your friend should really listen to her body though, sometimes i would get caught up in the fun and push it a bit too much to the point where my belly would tighten from jumping around too much. All in all I recommend doing what you can and having fun with it.

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Permalink Reply by Jodi Jainchill- Hoop and Health on January 30, 2010 at 6:20am

I usually answer this question with the what a fellow PT college says regarding hooping around the belly. You can the first and second trimester. By the third you're usually too big anyway.BUT, like all exercise, you should not try and 'get in shape' after you are pregnant. Whatever shape you were in prior to pregnancy should be how you set your exercise limit. Hope that helps :)

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Permalink Reply by Willow on January 30, 2010 at 6:25am

I strongly believe in hooping while pregnant. I see no reason to stop something you love doing and your body is used to HOWEVER I have been told by numerous doctors as well as internet searches that you DO NOT want to start any new form of exercise once you become pregnant. As for timing of hooping I am currently 6 months 3 weeks and I can still hoop around my belly just fine assuming I listen to my body and stop if I start having braxton hicks contractions. Hope this helps.

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Permalink Reply by circularlogic on January 30, 2010 at 6:37am

Jodi & Willow, you make an excellent point. It's one thing for Rayna who had been hooping daily for years, & quite another for a brand-new hooper. (Especially if she hasn't had a lot of similar activities like maybe dancing or gymnastics).

If it seems too challenging & dangerous now though, at least give her a hoop for after the baby is born! That's when you really need the abwork, & a form of exercise that you can pick up for 5 minutes & drop when the baby cries! Man I wish I'd had one then... I was a runner back then, but I sure didn't do much running for quite a while after I had my twins! (I couldn't afford one of those nifty running strollers & I'm not sure I could have pushed a double in any case!)

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Permalink Reply by jenna godar on January 30, 2010 at 8:00am

thank you so much guys! im probably going to leaving the hooping for after the baby! but im thinking about making her a cute pink one for her baby shower bc her baby is a girl!

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Permalink Reply by BHoops* WhirlyGigz on January 30, 2010 at 2:42pm

I am hooping while pregnant. My dr gave me the ok and said it is a great form of exercise for me. I am 3 months but already showing, this will be my second child. I am able to hoop for long periods of time and continue to teach classes. If my stomach starts to cramp from waist hooping I just move it to my arms or shoulders. I don't think it is wise for your friend to start hooping at 6 months if she has done no other form of cardio exercise. She could probably work her arms out no problem but I would have her consult her dr first.

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