Is It Safe To Exercise During Pregnancy?
16 May
Most moms-to-be know that moderate exercise during pregnancy is important. But many women aren’t sure what sort of exercise is safe or how often to exercise. And, what about the benefits of exercising during pregnancy, other than controlling excessive weight gain, of course.
If you expect to remain fit during your pregnancy you will need to exercise your whole body, including your heart, lungs, and major muscle groups. Regular exercise will not only promote strong muscles and endurance, but will help alleviate swelling, fatigue, and backache. Staying fit during your pregnancy also provides you with the strongest possible body going into the delivery room and recovery room.
Walking, yoga, pregnancy exercise videos, and swimming are all low-impact exercises that may be considered by you and your doctor. Depending on your fitness level prior to pregnancy, you may start out with a combination of activities along with gentle stretching. These simple exercise routines are often the basis for a well-rounded pregnancy fitness program.
Exercises that involve a risk of falling or injury should be avoided. These would include activities such as bicycling, racket sports, horseback riding, and skiing. Talk to your doctor before engaging in any sporting activity during pregnancy. There may be risks in your particular case regardless of how safe you feel the activity is.
Depending on which trimester you are in, you will adjust the level of exercise to accommodate your changing body. You and your doctor will reassess your activities and alter your exercise routine as you move into each trimester of pregnancy. You will also discuss with your doctor the dangers of over-exertion during your exercise routine. Complications such as faintness, dizziness, vaginal bleeding, and premature contractions may occur if you carry your exercise program beyond the level that’s right for you.
Your pre-pregnancy state is not the ruler you measure your exercise program by any longer. During pregnancy, your balance changes, your blood flow increases, and your body’s need for hydration has hit an all time high. You must take all these changes into consideration when exercising, even moderately. Simply feeling thirsty during exercise can be the beginning signs of dehydration. When dehydration occurs, you may cause harm to yourself and your baby due to your elevated body temperature.
You, like many moms-to-be, may find it uncomfortable exercising away from home, outdoors, or in public, especially in the later months. Your safety and convenience certainly must be considered when you pick an exercise program. That thirty minute walk isn’t going to be a lot of fun when you realize just how far away your bathroom is. Safety and convenience are two reasons that many pregnant women choose home workout exercise videos designed for pregnancy fitness. They can do their workout routine in the safety, and privacy, of their own home, right down the hall from their own bathroom! Be sure to ask your doctor about any video exercise program before you begin.
A regular exercise program is beneficial to both mother and child. It is vital that you check with your health provider before you begin any exercise program or sports activity. Your doctor will make sure you have no conditions or risks that will prevent you from participating in a regular exercise routine. Once you get the green light, go ahead and enjoy a stroll, swim, or a pleasant yoga routine. For your health and the health of your baby, it’s time to exercise!
Tina Titas is a columnist for FunExerciseVideos.com. For the latest in pregnancy fitness, visit us and you’ll find pregnancy workout videos at a great price. Have fun while you get fit – what a great idea!
