Being fit is essential at any stage in your life. During pregnancy, though, the need to stay active and fit becomes even more important. This is because it is essential for an expecting mother to be healthy and fit, to have a healthy baby and smooth delivery.

Exercising regularly during pregnancy will help you cope with the changes that pregnancy induces in your body. It will also help you deal better with the weight gain and gear you up for childbirth and taking care of your newborn. Another bonus is the fact that working mothers who are expecting tend to get back in shape much faster after their baby’s birth.

Exercises To Consider:

Contrary to most perception, rigorous activity is not something that you will be expected to do. In reality, a simple and balanced diet that includes foods from all the food groups, in addition to easy exercises during pregnancy, will be what it takes to keep you in shape. It is advisable to start with easy-to-do warm up activities, like the neck, back and neck stretches to relax your muscles, as well as simple breathing exercises to ensure that your muscles get enough oxygen.

After warming up, a moderately brisk walk for 30 minutes should be included in your regime, either indoors on a treadmill, or around the neighbourhood garden.

If your hobbies before pregnancy included activities like swimming or jogging, you could check with your doctor if a regime of gentle swimming or moderate jogging can be included.

In most cases, mothers-to-be can practice pregnancy exercises right up until the due date on the advice of her doctor. When there is a history of medical conditions, though, your doctor may advise you to restrict your exercise in pregnancy.

Health Comes First:

While exercise for pregnant women is important, it is important to understand that pregnancy causes some changes to occur in your body. As your pregnancy progresses and your body begins to gain weight, your sense of balance and posture will also start to change. Also, your body will also be changing to provide your baby with more oxygen, resulting in you feeling less energetic and more tired.

• Ensure that you don’t exercise too much and strain your body during your pregnancy workouts, as it can affect your health as well as the health of your baby.
• Avoid exercising in hot weather as well as twisting movements that involve your neck and waist.
• If you need to pick up something from the floor, avoid bending and instead, squat holding on to some support.