Working Out During Pregnancy
Working Out During Pregnancy
Exercise is great for your body! It helps you feel better, stronger, and more energetic. Regular exercise also helps prevent health conditions and diseases like stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, anxiety and so much more. During pregnancy, exercise is just as beneficial to your health (and your baby’s). It can help with reducing backaches, constipation, swelling, prevent excess weight gain, help you sleep better at night, AND prepare your body for labor and delivery.
Labor requires a lot of energy. We advise our clients to eat and drink throughout labor to help keep up their energy levels, but fitness is an important component! Any activity that you have been doing before pregnancy is usually safe to continue while you are pregnant, as long as it is low body impact. Before continuing with any workout routines or starting new ones, you should always make sure to get the OK from your care provider!
About half an hour of exercise 4 times a week will set you up with good fitness for your labor and birth. If you are looking for low-impact workouts, here are a few great options!
Great Low Impact Options:
Hiking/Walking – If you are new to exercising, then walking and short hikes are a great place to start. Start slowly with 5-10 minute walks and slowly progress the length of your walk as you build your strength and stamina.
Yoga – Yoga is a great way to get your body moving. There are many yoga classes that are geared towards pregnant women using modified stretches and poses that are safe for a pregnant belly.
Swimming – Everyone knows that water makes you feel lighter. The water supports your extra weight from your growing baby and can even ease the aches and pains on your joints and muscles. Swimming perfect for raising your heart rate and building muscle in a low-impact way!
Biking – If you aren’t into walking, then biking might be fun for you! Indoor cycling is a great way to get some cardio in a safe environment.
The most important thing to keep in mind when exercising while pregnant is to ALWAYS listen to your body. You never want to push yourself too far, and you want to make sure you are following safe practices like staying well hydrated and avoiding over-exhaustion. Head to our youtube channel to hear more pregnancy tips from Birth Center Stone Oak!