Exercise During Pregnancy: Benefits and Safety Guidelines

Staying physically active has many benefits during pregnancy. Not only does it feel nice to be active and moving around, but it also prepares you for labor and childbirth.

Benefits of Exercise

Listed below are a few benefits of exercise:

• Eases backaches
• Reduces constipation
• Prevents the wear and tear in joints due to hormonal changes
• Helps you sleep better
• Trains you to control your breathing
• Aids you in managing pain
• Lowers the risk of complications like gestational diabetes

What Are The Safe Exercises During Pregnancy?

Some of the pregnancy favorite exercises are:

• Dancing
• Swimming
• Water aerobics
• Yoga
• Walking

Among these, walking might be the most versatile and safe form of exercise for a pregnant woman. Walk slowly for the first five minutes and change into a brisker pace as your body warms up. Make sure to stop whenever the body demands you to stop.

Some women become dizzy during their pregnancy. Once the baby starts growing, your center of gravity changes, making it easier for you to lose your balance and fall. Your energy level might also differ from day to day. The best you can do is to listen to your body and do not push yourself too hard. If you are going out to walk in a park or a public place, make sure you have someone to walk with you in case you experience a loss of balance or fatigue.

Pregnant women must avoid sports such as basketball, football, skiing etc. that has the risk of falling.

Exercises During Pregnancy - Things to Keep in Mind

You might be an athletic person or you just want to do some exercises during pregnancy. You might want to consider these tips before charting out a pregnancy exercise regimen:

Check with Your Doctor

Always ask your doctor before continuing your existing exercise routine or starting a new one. If you are habitually a work out person, you can probably continue the routine if you have an uncomplicated pregnancy. There might be some situations where you should not exercise. To ensure that you are not causing harm to your baby or yourself by exercising, it is advisable to talk to your doctor about it.

Watch Your Calories

Since regular exercise burns calories and since you are nourishing this little person inside, if you are engaging in exercise, make sure to eat healthy and nourishing food to strengthen your body. You will gain some weight as the baby grows. Again, your doctor will advise you about the healthy amount of weight you need to gain depending upon your pre-pregnancy weight.

When to Stop Exercising?

Do not continue with the exercise if you feel any of the following:

• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Unusually fast heart rate
• Shortness of breath
• Pain in your back
• Hypertension
• Early contractions
• Vaginal bleeding
• Premature leaking of amniotic fluid

Be sure to consult your doctor before you stop or start exercise during pregnancy as it solely depends on your health conditions.