Pregnant and starting point work

[Guest dancerwithbruisedknees]

Hi everyone, I'm new and this is my first post. I am a 25 yr old ballet student. This will be my fourth year of dancing and I am about to begin point work. I am sooooo excited!!! I just bought my shoes, had them approved by the teacher, sewn on the ribbons etc. but here's the thing; two days ago I discovered that I am about two weeks pregnant. (I hope no one has posted this exact question before. I've looked around for this topic,) so....now my point shoes that fit perfectly a week ago are suddenly feeling a bit to tight! Arggg!! Anyway my question is, I know that it is fine to dance when you're prego. but is is o.k. to be starting point work? and what do I do about my shoes! They aren't broken in yet, but they feel like they are going to be too tight now, will they stretch enough? should I go out and buy another pair? or should I just deal with the discomfort ? 'cause they're gonna get even more swollen, I know! Has anyone else gone through this? Please, I would love any kind of advice on this!

[~ Mimi ~]

Awww, bliss!

How lovely for you!

 

In "Ballet for dummies" it's said some actual ballerinas even performed into their fourth and fifth month, so I think pointe work itself should not be a problem. But I'm just thinking... When learning pointe work you need to develop and strengthen certain muscles, while during pregnancy the human body produces a substance to actually weaken your muscles and (I think) other body tissue (to make room for the baby), so it might not be a really convenient time...

 

As for the shoes, I think it's up to you, what makes you feel comfortable. And whether you think it's worth it to buy a bigger pair of pointes for only 4 or 5 months, during which your feet might actually change a lot (so how big do you need to buy them?) and you might not even feel like pointe work that much.

Not that I'd force my swollen feet in too-tight shoes, I wouldn't do that to my body - especially not when it's already coping with putting together a wonderful new mini-person! I just mean that personally, in your place, I'd probably rather wait until afterwards.

 

However this is just what I think, I have no personal experience with this: I have never been pregnant, and I am not even en pointe yet!

 

But on this forum, there must be someone who can help you!

 

Congratulations anyway!

Edited September 4, 2006 by ~ Mimi ~

[Cabriole]

Though I did stop performing after my first trimester, I did continue to take class and teach on pointe. I would not recommend starting this now. There will be many changes in your body; weight and hormonal changes, shifts in placement, etc. None of these will help when you are first learning pointework (the changes weren't easy when I had considerable experience). Enjoy your pregnancy and continue to take class and expect that even in soft shoes, there will adjustments in what you are comfortable doing as your pregnancy progresses.

[Mel Johnson]

I second that motion. First time pointe and pregnancy don't mix easily. You'll have to stop about halfway through and then practically start all over again after delivery. Not worth it, in the long run.

[Guest pink tights]

Weight fluctuation would make pointe shoe fitting a nightmare. About the time you would be comfortable in your pointes, you would probably need a new size....And you may not be able to wear those shoes again after the birth, as most women gain a shoe size, sometimes two.

 

But I think the biggest challenge would be balance. During pregnancy the joints become loose, as the body prepares for delivery. That would pose a challenge even for the most experienced dancer. Add to that an ever expanding belly...I would hate to see you take a fall or break something.

 

Also the first trimester can be exhausting. The body is working overtime. My advice is to take it easy---still take class but slow down, modify what you can, eat right, and get plenty of rest.

[Guest dancerwithbruisedknees]

Thanks for the advice guys! I just met with my teacher today and told her I was expecting and she agreed with you all. It's not an ideal time to be starting point work, so as disapointed as I am, I will have to wait untill after the baby is born. I don't want to take any uneccesary risks ,so I will continue with just one class a week, take it easy and hopefully I can get back to this point sometime in the not so distant future. Anyway thanks again,( Mimi thanks for your kind wishes! )

[Guest pink tights]

Sounds like you are on your way to a happy and healthy pregnancy. Take care and post often.

[~ Mimi ~]

Ehm, pink tights, you are a bit confused: Mimi is my name, not hers...!

And I am NOT pregnant!

I have to stress this before people who know me might get the wrong idea... Not to mention my parents if they would happen to read this!

Edited September 6, 2006 by ~ Mimi ~

[Guest pink tights]

Sorry about that Mimi--I went back and edited your name out!

[Myfairlady]

Have you learned pirouettes yet? I found that mine were a lot better during my second trimester--possibly due to the fact that I was shaped like a top!

[Guest dancerwithbruisedknees]

I'm about fifty-fifty with pirouettes, sometimes I can get them, somethimes not. I must admit that I'm not a natural turner! That's funny myfairlady! I guess a prego belly is like the weight at the bottom of a top. I hope my pirouettes improve too! How long did you dance into your pregnancy?

[dancepig]

I can imagine your disappointment about needing to postpone the pointe classes, but when pregnant, I found my center to shift, so you could just imagine the problems you would incur. However, your turns will improve, you might be able to do a lot more than ever before!

[CDR]

Back to the original question, it looks as though you're going to wait before starting pointework but I personally would have thought that barre work would be OK (if you can get shoes to fit that aren't too uncomfortable). Definitely not centre work as there is a greater risk of falling due to weight/postural/balance changes but barre work would eliminate any risk and still allow you to start and strengthen your feet etc.

 

Good luck with the baby (returning to ballet a few weeks afterwards should do wonders for your figure!)

[ruby]

Back off the original question, sorry! I was reading through some of Deborah Vogel's dance newsletters and saw this one and thought of you - some stuff on stretches and the hips and pelvis for pregnant dancers. And congratulations!

 

http://www.thebodyseries.com/newsletters/2...0Pregnancy.html

[taoofpooh]

As a midwife I can add the following. The hormone relaxin produced in pregnancy can make it possible for you to easily overstretch. Be careful. I tell this to all my mummies who do yoga. Also, I find that feet change size. So those shoes you just sewed ribbons into may not fit in 10months.

 

Have a great pregnancy!!