Introduction
Exercise may not be very high on the agenda of a lot of people, however if you want to exercise during pregnancy , it is important to know that it is completely safe. Just remember to consult your gynaecologist before commencing any exercise regime.
The best time to start exercising during pregnancy is any time after the first trimester. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (ACOG) recommends 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise on most or all of the days of the week. However, if you have not exercised for a long time, you can start with small bouts of exercises (e.g. 15 minutes) and then gradually increase the duration of exercise.
You can keep your exercising up until the day of delivery, that is if your pregnancy is complication free. It depends completely on your comfort or whatever your doctor advises.
Remember comfort first when deciding what to wear while exercising. Loose clothes might come in your way while tight ones may be uncomfortable. So, find your balance.
Why should you consider exercising during pregnancy?
Pregnancy is no picnic so adding exercise to the mix may seem daunting in the start but it has its own benefits. Exercise:
- Maintains healthy blood sugar levels and keeps blood pressure in check.
- Eases and prevents body aches and injuries.
- Speeds up your recovery process post-delivery and prevents post-partum musculoskeletal dysfunctions.
- Boosts mood and reduces fatigue.
- Improves blood supply to the baby and ensures better brain growth and oxygen levels during pregnancy.
- Enables better performance during labour and delivery.
Exercise with caution, in case of
- Anaemia
- Pregnancy induced high blood pressure.
- Any other risk factors
Do not exercise
And do not exercise if you have the following complications during your pregnancy:
- Certain types of heart and lung diseases
- Cervical Insufficiency
- Placenta previa after 26 weeks of pregnancy
