Why Exercise Is Beneficial During Pregnancy?
Women who are pregnant are commonly advised to take it easy, avoid stress, and not lift anything heavier than a bag of groceries. It’s logical that expecting mothers would need to take extra care of their bodies. After all, they’re growing another human being inside them. But what most people don’t know is just how much exercise benefits pregnant women and also how much is too much. The truth about exercising when you’re expecting is somewhere in the middle. Exercising during pregnancy has many benefits for both mom and baby.
It can help maintain your pre-pregnancy weight, reduce back pain and fatigue, lower the risk for gestational diabetes and preeclampsia, improve sleep, lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, decrease stress hormones (also known as cortisol), ease anxiety and depression symptoms, for fatty liver treatment, strengthen muscles to support a growing baby, build stamina to cope with labor pains more easily, relieve stress from difficult first trimester days, boost energy levels so you feel more like yourself again — plus many other perks!
Benefits of exercise during pregnancy
The best thing about exercising during pregnancy is that you reap all the benefits listed above while also promoting healthy fetal development.
– Fetal development is optimized by staying active. As the fetus grows inside you, it puts pressure on your joints, muscles and ligaments. Exercising can help reduce this pressure by strengthening your muscles and joints and improving your posture.
– You can reduce your risk for gestational diabetes by up to 50% by staying active. Getting enough regular exercise can also help prevent excessive weight gain. Exercising regularly can also help you avoid excessive blood pressure and cholesterol issues by keeping your body healthy.
– Regular exercise can help reduce back pain by strengthening your abdominal muscles and pelvic floor muscles. It can also help you sleep better thanks to the reduction in stress hormones.
– Regular exercise will also help you gain energy as well as keep you hydrated, which is especially important in the first trimester when nausea is usually at its worst.
What to Know Before You Exercise During Pregnancy
When it comes to exercising during pregnancy, there are a few things you should know before you start. These are general recommendations — every pregnant woman is different and may have specific needs.
– Listen to your body. As your body changes during pregnancy, you may find that certain exercises are no longer comfortable. Be honest with yourself and if something hurts, don’t do it.
– Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. When you’re pregnant, you have to make sure you stay hydrated at all times. This is especially important when you’re exercising because you’re losing extra water through sweat.
– Rest when you need it. Pregnant women don’t have a nine-month break like you see in sports like tennis and soccer. Pregnancy is a continuous process so you need to rest when you need it — even when you’re exercising.
The Good Stuff about Exercising During Pregnancy
Exercising during pregnancy can help you feel more like yourself again as well as deal with some of the less pleasant aspects of pregnancy. It can help you deal with nausea, hyperthermia, joint pain, fatigue, and insomnia more easily. It can also help reduce stress and depression and boost self-esteem.
Exercising regularly can help you deal with the heat of the first trimester and prevent excessive weight gain. It can help you sleep better thanks to the reduction in stress hormones. It can help reduce joint pain due to the added weight of the growing baby and can help you feel more energetic thanks to the extra endorphins your brain releases when you exercise.
It can also help ease anxiety and depression symptoms thanks to the serotonin and dopamine your brain releases when you work out. Beyond that, exercising regularly will also help you gain stamina for the marathon that is labor.
The Bad Stuff about Exercising During Pregnancy
Exercising during pregnancy is good for you, but it’s important to note the risks as well. Exercising heavily can increase your risk for preterm birth and miscarriage. These risks are higher in the first trimester and are lower in the second and third trimesters. The risk also goes up if you have a high-risk condition like diabetes. Exercising in hot weather can be especially dangerous.
You must pay special attention to hydration and temperatures when you’re pregnant. Be sure to wear loose, breathable clothing and drink plenty of water when you’re outside during the summer. Exercising while pregnant is not recommended if you have preterm labor contractions or if you’ve had a miscarriage recently. You should also avoid certain exercises if you have a high-risk pregnancy, are overweight, have severe pre-eclampsia, or have a history of miscarriage.
How much exercise is too much during pregnancy?
As we’ve already explored, exercising while pregnant is great for both you and your baby, but it’s important to find the right balance. You’ll want to make sure you aren’t overdoing it and putting too much stress on your body. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that pregnant women who are at low risk for complications exercise for at least 30 minutes a day on most, if not all, days of the week.
If you’re at high risk for complications, you should consult with your doctor before starting an exercise program. The ACOG also recommends that pregnant women avoid exercising in the excessive heat and avoid activities that can result in a fall or abdominal trauma. While there is no specific exercise dosage that is appropriate for everyone, you should generally feel energized and ready to go after you exercise. If you feel very tired or have trouble recovering after exercising, you may be overdoing it.
How much exercise is beneficial during pregnancy?
The best way to know if you’re exercising enough during pregnancy is to talk to your doctor. They’ll be able to guide you through what activities you should do and how long you should do them for. You should also be sure to hydrate often, rest when your body needs it, and drink lots of water while exercising to stay healthy. Beyond that, the most important thing is to be honest with yourself and know your limits.
If something doesn’t feel right, you don’t have to do it. The most important thing is to enjoy your exercise and make sure it is something you enjoy. If you aren’t enjoying it, you are less likely to do it regularly. Make sure you are staying active and enjoying it. Beyond that, be sure to take care of yourself physically and mentally and don’t forget to take a break when you need it.
Final Thoughts
When you’re pregnant, your body goes through a lot. That’s why it’s so important to make sure you stay active. Regular exercise will help you maintain your strength, energy, and stamina. It can also help you sleep better and deal with nausea.
Exercising regularly can also help you avoid excessive weight gain, reduce back pain, and ease joint pain caused by added weight. All of these benefits are great reasons to make exercise part of your daily routine. And the best part is that exercising when you’re pregnant is safe and healthy for both you and your baby.