There are many positive health reasons to exercise during pregnancy which are explained a little later, but the most important thing to remember is the goal of exercise during pregnancy is to enjoy the benefits that exercise has to offer and avoid unnecessary risk.
A lot of pregnant women decide that pregnancy is a time to cease exercise until the baby is born, but instead you should simply change your routine to a more safe, less intense workout that will help not only keep your body working better during pregnancy and labour, but also help you recover quicker and lose the pregnancy weight gain once you’ve had your baby.
When is the best time to start an Exercise Program after falling pregnant?
If you are someone that hasn’t exercised regularly prior to falling pregnant it’s advised that you don’t start exercising prior to week 15 of your pregnancy. After 15 weeks the recommended exercise program would consist of no more than 25 minutes of light to moderate exertion 3 to 4 times per week and gradually increasing the time and intensity of your workout as you start to feel stronger.
What are the benefits of exercise during Pregnancy?
One of the major reasons to keep exercising is to maintain a certain level of fitness so that once you’ve had your baby you will find it much easier to recover and begin exercising again. Exercise during pregnancy will also help prepare your body for labour which can be physically demanding on our entire body.
Exercise during pregnancy will also help maintain muscle tone and strength which are both important factors in the prevention of injury which can be common due to the carrying of your baby around until birth – and beyond. Exercise is also a great way to relieve stress and have fun.
Carrying a baby for 9 months can also affect your posture and cause lower and upper back pain so it’s very important to practice good posture and perform the correct strength exercises. Keeping good posture will also lesson your fatigue throughout pregnancy and improve circulation, reduce fluid retention, varicose veins and haemorrhoids.
What about food in pregnancy?
It is not recommended to diet when you are pregnant but being pregnant doesn’t mean you have to eat junk food which is much higher in fat than other foods. Instead you should focus on eating as many healthy and fresh foods as possible and concentrate on getting as many nutrients in your body as possible to help your baby’s development. Click here to see a full breakdown on pregnancy diet and nutrition which will help you make great choices over your pregnancy
