A woman who does not exercise during pregnancy You will feel increasingly heavy, less agile and will arrive at the time of delivery in worse shape. There may even be risks to the health of the mother and the fetus, the immune system is weakened and mentally we are less clear, less happy.
If the benefits of exercise during any stage of life are multiple, they are not less in pregnancy. Therefore you have to run away from sedentary lifestyle in pregnancy and consider doing moderate physical activity every day, provided there is no contraindication.
Therefore, if you did not exercise before becoming pregnant, consult the gynecologist about the possibility of starting to do so and remember that it should always be gradual. If you were already exercising, you can probably continue doing it, as long as it does not pose a risk to your health or that of the baby.
Among the most indicated exercises during pregnancy, because you can start at any time and do not need much effort (although we will gradually increase the pace) is walking at a light pace.
Swimming is also among the most appropriate exercises for pregnant women, since it does not force the joints and the mother feels light and agile, in addition to avoiding excessive heat when exercising.
Yoga is also a great exercise for pregnancy, it increases muscle tone and power, increases body and mental relaxation ...
Or maybe we are inclined to other activities such as riding a bicycle (provided we have practice and feel safe), pilates, stretching exercises ...
Why run away from sedentary lifestyle in pregnancy?
Thanks to exercise during pregnancy we activate the circulation, which prevents edema and its consequences, such as swelling of the legs and feet, constipation, hemorrhoids ... We help maintain our ideal weight, without excesses that can harm us and make us feel worse.
Aerobic activity favors the cardiorespiratory system, oxygenation of the fetus is favored ... Most exercises can relieve pressure on the pelvic area, which will relieves pressure on the sciatic nerve: This is an advantage for pregnant women who have annoying sciatica.
Another advantage is that thanks to exercise, posture is improved, we are more aware of our body, of the new balance ... In addition, after physical exercise you rest better, which is very important, especially in the face of the final stretch of the pregnancy, when it can cost us so much to find the position ...
Definitely, as you will know if you are athletes, exercise helps eliminate nervous tension: it is a very relaxing practice that helps to reduce the stress of everyday life, to feel better about oneself and others.
And we can't forget that, in the end, a stronger body is better prepared for childbirth, the labor will be better resisted, the bids will be stronger, we will probably save some cramp ... and of course the postpartum recovery is faster.
All these advantages disappear if we remain excessively sedentary during pregnancy, if we do not move, if we spend too much time on the couch, in bed ... Which does not mean that we do not need to rest more than before pregnancy: it is normal to feel tired and want relax.
But we can't be still all day but stay active so that we can rest better. At the beginning it may take a while to start the exercises if we did not do it before, but little by little we will take an adequate rhythm.
Finally, remember that if you feel fatigue, tachycardia or if contractions appear, you should suspend the activity and consult the gynecologist as soon as possible. Exercise to feel good, flee from sedentary lifestyle in pregnancy because your body and mind will thank you.
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In Babies and more | A healthy pregnancy with massages and exercises, Exercise in pregnancy: good for the mother, good for the baby, 10 tips for exercising in pregnancy
