Maintaining an active routine throughout your pregnancy can help you stay healthy and feel your best – that is pretty known… but what if you weren’t active pre-pregnancy and want to start leading a more active lifestyle now that you are? First thing you should know is that it is always the right time to start leading a healthier & more active lifestyle!
There are still many misconceptions surrounding this special time in a woman’s life as to what and how much to do. In many parts of the world pregnancy is considered a time where a woman should stop even the lightest stress on her body (like carrying her own purse), where as in other parts of the globe women work in fields practically until they deliver.
Sure your body is going through major changes, but the benefits of being active while pregnant are being acknowledged and encouraged by healthcare givers more and more. The American Council on Exercise notes that prenatal exercise can help stabilize and boost mood and reduce pregnancy discomforts such as swelling, constipation, insomnia and fatigue. There is evidence that physical activity may prevent gestational diabetes (diabetes that develops during pregnancy), relieve stress, and build more stamina needed for labor and delivery. Physical changes during pregnancy create extra demands on your body that requires more oxygen and energy. The production of hormones that causes the ligaments that support your joints to stretch increase the risk of injury, and uneven distribution of your weight shift the center of gravity causing in less balance – thus the stronger the body the better!
Don’t worry if you have never exercised regularly before, you can safely begin to do so now that you’re pregnant, just make sure to consult with your health care provider before doing any new activity, and keep it moderate. Any kind of body strengthen with or without weights will assure you a strong and solid body, while walking/any other kind of aerobic workout will keep the blood flow at a stable level.
Here are some exercises to get you started!
What Exercises Should Be Avoided During Pregnancy?
It varies from each trimester and each pregnancy, so you should always check what’s right for you, but the most common exercises to avoid are the ones that include:
- Holding your breath during any activity.
- Activities where falling is likely (such as skiing and horseback riding).
- Contact sports such as softball, football, basketball, and volleyball.
- Any exercise that may cause even mild abdominal trauma such as activities that include jarring motions or rapid changes in direction.
- Exercise in hot, humid weather.
Most exercises are safe to perform during pregnancy, as long as you exercise with caution and do not overdo it.
YOUR BODY IS GOING THROUGH CHANGES AND YOUR PERSONAL FEELING OF WHAT’S RIGHT OR WRONG FOR YOU ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT ONES TO LISTEN TO!
Remember that being pregnant is just the beginning of a whole new and exciting chapter in your life