Good Exercise For Pregnant Women Helps Them Feel and Look Better
It is an old wives’ tale that anyone who expecting a baby should always stay seated or should be lying down. In fact, studies have proven that a fit mom-to-be makes for an easier delivery and helps in recovering your figure fast. Getting a good cardiovascular workout is important for your circulation, minimizing edema and helps you feel and look better.
Walking
Walking is the best way to get exercise during pregnancy and postpartum as well. Make sure that you wear a good pair of walking shoes and comfortable clothes before setting off to the mall, park or around the village. Walking provides a good cardio workout, strengthen your muscles and keeps you limber. You can walk from the day you learn you’re pregnant right up to delivery with your doctor’s approval. Walk at your own pace at least thrice a week for at least 20 minutes or take several walks throughout the day. As you get bigger, take care to walk on stable, non-slippery surfaces.
Swimming
If you’re comfortable in water and have ready access to a pool, swimming provides a good low-impact cardio workout with less chances of injury. It also works the big muscle groups, strengthens your muscles and improves endurance. If you can, try to swim three times a week for about 30 minutes.
Belly Dancing
Unlike as it seems, certain belly dancing movements can be good exercise during pregnancy. The pelvic motions helps ease back pains, workout muscles used during labor and delivery and increase flexibility. Plus, it’s a great way to feel sexy. Some also believe that the undulations and hip movements helps position the baby for birth.
Dancing
Don’t let pregnancy get in the way of your groove. Dancing gets your heart and lungs working, tones your muscles and keeps you flexible. But avoid jerky movements, jumps, lunges, sudden changes in direction and anything that could get you off balance, especially in the second and third trimester.
During pregnancy, when in doubt, stop! Don’t push yourself to the limit. Also be on the watch for the following symptoms and consult your doctor as soon as you can:
- Dizziness or nausea other than the morning sickness kind
- Shortness of breath
- Palpitations, abnormal pounding of the heart
- Spotting
- Leaking of amniotic fluid
- Pain anywhere in the body
- Abnormal contractions
- Numbness or tingling sensations
- Swelling or fluid retention
- Visual disturbances or feeling of disorientation
- Severe or continuous headache
Women suffering from any of the following are advised not to excercise:
- Diagnosed heart disease
- At risk of premature labor
- Bleeding or placenta previa
- Ruptured membranes
- Severe hypertension
- Fetal distress
- History of three or more spontaneous abortions