As your body changes drastically through pregnancy, it’s normal to wonder if it’s safe to work out – after all, your center of gravity is constantly changing, you might feel really tired, and you have to deal with a lot of uncomfortable symptoms.
But guess what, it turns out exercising during pregnancy can be really good for you and your baby! Of course, it’s really important to check with your doctor first, as some women might have other complications and should take it easy.
If you have a healthy pregnancy and your doctor approves, working out can bring you many benefits!
It keeps your body and mind healthy, it eases common discomforts related to pregnancy like constipation, back pain and swelling in your legs, ankles and feet, it helps you manage stress and sleep better, it reduces the risk of complications like gestational diabetes and preeclampsia, and it can even help you prepare you body for labor, since it can help you get stronger!
If you exercised before getting pregnant, it’s probably safe to keep doing what you did before, but talk to your doctor to make sure it’s safe. If you didn’t exercise before, now is a great time to start! Listen to your body and begin with short sessions of activity; you could start with 5 minutes and then slowly work your way up until you can do 30 minutes every day! It is recommended that pregnant women do at least 2.5 hours of moderate exercise each week.
Low impact sports like walking, swimming, yoga, pilates, and even stationary cycling can be great options, as they help with circulation, breathing and strength! But certain sports like diving, high altitude hiking and contact sports like soccer, basketball and other team sports are not safe at all. Again, it’s important that you talk to your doctor about what things are safe for you to do, since not all women and all pregnancies are the same. Listen to your body and don’t push yourself, the most important thing is to stay healthy and safe!
Now that you know all the great benefits that working out can bring you and your baby, try to incorporate it into your daily routine. A short walk around the block can be a great way to start! Doing something good for yourself every day will help you feel better in every way!
