Pregnancy Exercise Guidelines

It has recently been proven that exercising actually makes for an easier pregnancy and delivery. As long as it is the right type of exercise. There are a number of guidelines which you should follow before undertaking exercise during pregnancy.

Start Slowly

If you have not exercised before you became pregnant, do not just rush in and start exercising like you are training for the olympics. If you have been following a regular exercise regime, there's no reason you shouldn't be able to continue on the same level for the first trimester. The important thing is to listen to your body, if it feels like too much, slow it down.

Avoid exercising at extreme altitude or in hot, humid environments and drink plenty of water.

Don't Over-stretch

Be careful not to over-stretch. Early in pregnancy, a hormone called relaxin fills your system. This hormone induces hyper-flexibility in the joints and musculature, which allows for the expansion of the uterus and the repositioning of the pelvic floor. It is common for women to strain muscles and ligaments during pregnancy as a result of this new flexibility. It is still important to stretch after exercising, just don't over-do it.

What exercises to do

In the last trimester, avoid ballistic movements, such as jumping or running. Deciding which activities are best for you is highly individual. In the first trimester, almost any form of exercise (avoid contact sports and skiing) can be undertaken safely. During the later trimesters, running and cycling tend to become uncomfortable. Most women switch from these sports to swimming, hiking, water aerobics etc.

Pregnancy causes so many physical and lifestyle adaptations, it can be overwhelming. The important thing is to do what is right for your body and consult your doctor before you start or make changes to your exercise program.

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DOs and DONTs for Pregnancy Exercise


What you should know before you start exercising while you are pregnant
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