Exercise Tips During Pregnancy
Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.
It is common for pregnant women to get concerned about how much weight they may gain during their pregnancy. It is normal to gain some weight but no one wants to put on more than they really need to.
For this reason, many pregnant women opt to exercise during pregnancy, especially if they already have an exercise regimen. Health care professionals actually encourage pregnant women to exercise throughout their pregnancy as long as it is a low risk pregnancy.
The Benefits of Exercise During Pregnancy
If you are pregnant and would like to begin an exercise routine, consult with your doctor first. He or she will be able to give you recommendations on what types of exercises are safe and how long you are able to exercise.
It is a good idea to take your time when you start exercising. Gradually increase your regimen and be careful not to do too much. Listen to your body and if you feel extremely tired or winded, slow down or stop.
Many women have a lot of good things to say about doing yoga while pregnant. Yoga is less strenuous than many forms of exercise, but still helps to develop flexibility and strength. It is also known for helping reduce stress and promotes peace and relaxation.
Weight training is acceptable as well, although if you do, train more for tone and not for strength. During pregnancy you should not push yourself too hard, but mild to moderate toning is acceptable.
Walking is by far the most popular form of exercise for pregnant women. Take a brisk walk alone or with a friend as often as you’d like. Walking will keep your body tone and give you a boost mentally as well. You may have to slow down some toward the end of your pregnancy, but you can walk all the way up until you have the baby.
Keep in mind to wear comfortable, elastic clothing during exercise. Also, drink plenty of fluids. You do not want to end up dehydrated, so keep in mind that drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water per day is optimal.
It is advised that you do not participate in contact sports while pregnant. This goes for basketball, soccer, football, rugby, and so on. There are plenty of exercises you can do to stay in shape that are much safer for you and your baby.
Finally, remember to stretch before and after you exercise. This will help relax the muscles and you will notice less pain afterwards. It also helps prevent injury.
Now that you know a bit more about pregnancy and exercise, go ahead and consult with your doctor about your plan to stay in shape during pregnancy. Create an exercise plan and follow through with it. You will be glad you did, as exercising can help you to feel better physically, mentally, and spiritually.
For more information regarding Working During Pregnancy visit previous blog post here.
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