10 Great Reasons to Exercise During Your Pregnancy:
With so many things on an expectant mothers mind it's understandable that exercise can sometimes get overlooked; however, research shows that exercising and staying active during your pregnancy has proven benefits for both mom and baby. It is important to speak with your health care provider before beginning prenatal exercise.
1) Improves self esteem: Keeping fit can help you look and feel great during your pregnancy. At a time when a womens body is going through so many miraculous changes, exercising can help you to adapt and embrace your growing body. Exercise can boost your mood, improve self esteem & self confidence.
2) Promotes healthy weight gain: Staying active and eating well encourages a healthy weight gain during your pregnancy and can make it easier to loose those pregnancy pounds after.
3)
Improves circulation: With the 30-50% increase in blood volume that comes with pregnancy, staying active promotes circulation that can help to prevent & reduce the symptoms of things like constipation, hemorrhoids, varicose veins and swelling.
4) Prevents aches and pains: Pregnant exercisers report fewer pregnancy related discomforts, such as back and hip pain. Strengthening the muscles of the back, abdominals and pelvic floor can help to keep the muscles of the core strong which helps relieve some of the forward pull that often causes lower back pain. Keeping muscles strong also helps to correct postural changes that occur as a pregnancy progresses which can keep you feeling great the whole 9 months.
5) Increases energy: Believe it or not.... exercise can actually give you more energy! It may also help you sleep better at night A pregnant womans body is working hard growing their baby and although there isn't a way to completely offset all the energy going into this, exercise can help. Getting your recommended dose of activity can give you an energy boost that may keep you going longer and feeling better
6) Prevents gestational diabetes: Exercise and good nutrition are two key ways to prevent gestational diabetes during your pregnancy. If you do experience gestational diabetes during your pregnancy, exercise can help to keep blood sugar levels under control.
7) Prepares body for childbirth: Childbirth can be an athletic event. Prenatal exercise may not make the labour easier or shorter but going into it strong and fit can give you the stamina and endurance needed for the duration of labour. Exercising mothers tend to have a more rapid physical and emotional recovery from childbirth compared to those who did not exercise during pregnancy.
8) Decrease in Postpartum Depression: Women who exercise during their pregnancy report fewer incidences of postpartum depression after they've had their baby. During exercise, endorphines are released that give you that natural exercise high which can go along way to helping you feel better about the new changes in your life.
9) Easier transition to motherhood: Being a mom can be a juggling act; carrying the baby, toting the diaper bag and lifting the car seat and strollers. Not always an easy feat! Strength training can help moms keep pain free giving them the strength and postural awareness to lift and carry baby and accessories in a way that won't cause injury.
10) Getting your body back: Losing pregnancy pounds can be a big issue for women in the postpartum period. By staying fit during and after pregnancy, you will have an easier time toward getting your old body back.
Pregnancy is an exciting journey and an important time to listen to your body, but if it's motivation that you are lacking, remember all the great reasons to stay active during your pregnancy!
