Grab Best Fitness Blog Feed... by Karli Taylor
There was a time when we thought of pregnancy as a “condition” that gave women a free pass from exercise. We once thought that working out while pregnant was unhealthy and dangerous for the baby. As we learn more about the effects that exercise has on the human body, we now know that these beliefs were not backed by science. Despite the differences in your body during pregnancy, exercise is still important to maintain your health and wellness. Not only is it ok to exercise, studies have suggested that exercise during pregnancy will help with an easier and shorter labor and birth, fewer cesarean surgeries, a quicker recovery postpartum, a quicker return to your pre-pregnancy weight, and an overall a healthier feeling pregnancy!
That being said, if you did not exercise before your pregnancy, it is not the best time to start an exercise program. If you had been sedentary for over a year prior to becoming pregnant, limit your exercise routing to walking and light stretching. Your doctor will tell you if you have any specific limitations when it comes to your own personal exercise routine, but there are some general guidelines for everyone to follow.
- Regardless of your fitness level, you want to exercise on a regular basis. Consistency is what will give you the most benefit.
- Make sure to warm up and cool down every time you work out. Your heart will be working harder than it’s used to as it pumps blood throughout your body AND to the baby.
- Watch your center of gravity. It changes significantly after your first trimester which can cause you to feel off balance.
- Do not exercise while lying on your back. After the first trimester, the uterus is large enough to block blood flow to the baby when in this position.
- Do not aggressively stretch your muscles. During pregnancy, your ligaments soften to allow your pelvis to spread. This can create an unstable joint and can set you up for injury.
- Don’t overdo it! Make sure you stay well hydrated and listen to your body for signs of fatigue.
- If you are working on the floor, make sure to stand up slowly as blood pressure can change drastically with position shifts.
If you follow all of these guidelines, you will find that exercising during pregnancy will improve your mood, your sleeping patterns and even your digestion. You will suffer from fewer aches and pains than someone who does not work out, AND your body will more easily return to normal after delivery.
