Pregnancy and Exercise

Pregnancy is a great physical change on part of a woman and so to go through the phases of birth and motherhood a healthy and fit body is a must.  So to deal with the demands of pregnancy on the body exercise is vital as it does not only help you in staying fit and fresh, but also it enables you to have a healthy immune system. By exercising you can avoid usual pregnancy problems such as circulation problems, constipation and feeling of fatigue.

But before you actually start your pregnancy exercises you should consult your doctor or midwife, who is to supervise the delivery of the baby, for advice on which types of exercises would benefit you, especially if you have had miscarriages, early labor or if you have weak cervix problems. Not all types of exercises are recommended for problem as such.

It is recommended that you consult a fitness instructor either personal or from the gym, who is completely aware of all the previous history and current situations of your pregnancy so that a plan in accordance is decided upon. These exercises are usually based on a series of gentle exercises which aid in toning of the muscles and you can easily carry the excess weight of the baby. Choosing gentle exercises are important as during the pregnancy period the ligaments and joints of the body are in relaxing mode to prepare the body for the birth of a child and the body can easily suffer from injuries if precautions are not taken.

Other necessary requirement of exercising during pregnancy is the need to wear loose and comfortable clothes. Also it should be taken care of that the body does not get too hot while exercising as this may prove to be harmful for the baby. You should consume a lot of water so that you stay cooled and do not get dehydrated and also you should stop exercising immediately if you feel dizzy or very tired from exercising. All sports that are rough or may pose danger of falling should be avoided such as horse riding, also sports where the danger of colliding or sudden impacting is present such as rugby or football should also not be played.

Your exercise routine should not end on pregnancy, but it should continue after birth too, as this will enable your body to get back to shape after undergoing the tremendous exchanges your body suffered from pregnancy and exercise will of course continuously boost up your energy levels which will be needed to overcome the challenges of motherhood. And if you think all this is handling too much, you can always join a regular fitness class for the first few months after the birth, which will not only tone your body and boost energy levels but will also provide the much needed feel of positivity and control of your own life.