Benefits of Exercising during Pregnancy
Guest blog post by Luke Douglas from ripped.me
Exercise is, in general, one of the best things you can do for your body. This remains true even in pregnancy, and ladies who are worried that it might negatively impact the baby should put their minds at ease – it can actually help your child. If there are no complications and your pregnancy so far has been comfortable, working out could help you feel better as long as health is your aim, rather than some extreme weight loss. Now is not the time for harsh diets and exhausting workouts, so approach this with the right mindset. Having said that, let’s talk a bit about what exercising during pregnancy can do for you.
Easier delivery
The process of labor depends on many factors (especially whether you have a C-section or not) but in general, the firm muscles, increased blood flow, and faster recovery time that exercising brings can greatly help you endure it and make delivery easier. It can also cut the delivery time for up to thirty percent, so you might be experiencing a much shorter active labor in addition to having fewer complications. You’ll be increasing your stamina and handling pain a little easier, so enjoy yourself because working out will help you be more ready when the time comes.
Less weight gain
Women who exercise during pregnancy gain about 7 pounds less than those who don’t, and they have an easier time getting back into shape after delivery. If weight gain is a concern for your, this is definitely a great way to stay fit without resorting to dieting that may harm your baby. Of course, you should avoid contact sports of any kind, but there are plenty of other workouts you can do that are perfectly safe.
Healthier infant
Exercise can help you avoid delivering an overweight baby and it increases the blood flow to the uterus and makes it easier for your child to get proper nutrition. You’ll also lower their risk of developing diabetes late in life.
Fewer musculoskeletal pains
About two-thirds of women experience some form of back pain during pregnancy, so this is a really good way to strengthen your core and your back muscles and avoid those kinds of aches, especially if you wear the right gear. Pair exercising with some high-quality compression thighs for pregnancy and you’ll feel a lot safer and more comfortable as you work out.
Less swelling
Swollen, achy feet are something more women deal with at some point during pregnancy, but working out can really help you reduce or completely avoid swelling as your body grows to accommodate the baby. Fluid retention also tends to be higher during this period and this puts a strain on your veins and joints, but if you pump those muscles for 30 minutes a day you could be easing this problem as well.
More energy
Weariness is one of the most common pregnancy symptoms, so in addition to giving you more energy, exercising can also put you in a better mood because it releases endorphins. Not only that, you’ll also have a much better self-image and enjoy those nine months a lot more if you spend them being active instead of sitting it out the whole time.
Better flexibility
Strangely enough, the hormone relaxin that relaxes our muscles and makes our backache during pregnancy is also the thing that can give us increased flexibility. If you do yoga don’t be surprised that you can now get into poses that you didn’t even dream of before. And what’s best is the fact that you can generally retain this superior flexibility even after you deliver if you keep exercising.
We recommend that you always consult your doctor before you start exercising, and that you tell them exactly the kind of routine you plan to have every day. If you haven’t exercised before but wish to start now that you’re pregnant (hey, more time on your hands), we recommend that you stick to milder workouts. In general, you can keep exercising as long as it’s comfortable, and you should never push yourself to the point of exhaustion or engage in any unsafe activities. Enjoy being a mom and don’t worry – exercising can only help.