Exercise During Pregnancy
Exercising
during pregnancy is VERY important to maintain a healthy blood flow for your
baby’s development. It is also important
to help keep you in shape for the delivery and recovery after birth. Regular exercise can help make for a more
comfortable pregnancy, higher levels of energy, an easier delivery, and reduce
some of the less appealing elements of pregnancy including excessive weight
gain, varicose veins, sciatica and lower back pain.
Exercise during pregnancy is also associated
with a reduced risk of gestational diabetes.
But remember, there are no
pregnant marathons and even if you are a triathlete when you are not pregnant,
it is important to exercise in moderation.
As your body changes, your muscles, tendons and ligaments also change
and stretch and can pose an increased risk of injury. Stay active and focus on low-impact aerobic
exercise such as swimming or walking.
Strength training and toning can be addressed through yoga, in fact most
yoga teachers offer a specialized pregnancy yoga class.
