There are so many changes in your body during pregnancy – from the struggle to keep your meal down in the first trimester to fatigue and changing body shape. While women often deal with accepting all these changes, exercising may be one of the last things in their minds.
But according to many medical specialists exercising is beneficial for would-be mothers. While yoga is well known for improving flexibility, other suitable exercises for pregnant women are swimming, low-impact aerobics, indoor stationary cycling, etc. No matter which form of exercise you prefer, moving your body for at least 30 to 40 minutes during pregnancy helps in easier labor, as well as faster recovery after giving birth.
If you’re still wondering what other benefits you get whilst exercising in pregnancy, here is a list of some major advantages:
1. DECREASE THE RISK OF COMPLICATIONS:
According to medical studies, women who joined fitness programs in pregnancy didn’t show any signs of gestational diabetes and also were less likely to undergo cesarean birth compared to the ones who did not exercise.
2. FASTER POST-DELIVERY RECOVERY:
Another benefit of regular exercising for pregnant women is that the more their physical fitness increases, the faster they recover after childbirth. Even according to a 2012 study, women who participated in a fitness program were able to recover faster and also resumed their work and household chores quicker compared to the ones who didn’t exercise at all.
3. KEEPS YOUR MOOD UPLIFTED:
Women are often susceptible to depression in pregnancy. There are many cases of women suffering from anxiety or depression when they are expecting. But the women who exercise regularly during pregnancy have lesser or no chances of feeling depressed. This is because exercises release endorphins that further help in improving mood while eliminating anxiety and stress.
4. IMPROVE SLEEP:
Generally, pregnant women have difficulty while sleeping. But those who exercise regularly have better sleep quality and also feel relaxed when they wake up in the morning.
5. RELIEVE CONSTIPATION:
Regular exercises encourage active bowels. Even a brisk 30-minute walk or a 10-minute stroll in the morning can help better bowel movement.
6. REDUCED BLOOD PRESSURE:
While blood pressure often goes up and down during the pregnancy, variations in blood pressure could be an indicator of preeclampsia. However, staying active has been discovered to help keep blood pressure optimal.
7. EASE PELVIC AND BACK PAIN:
The growing baby bump puts extra weight on the lower half of the body. This results in lower back pain, as well as pelvic pain. So, exercising regularly is essential to relive such body aches during pregnancy.
8. REDUCE FATIGUE:
Fatigue is found in many women during the first trimester, as well as in the third trimester. It may seem paradoxical but when you take too much rest, then you may also feel tired or restless. Therefore, you must never rest too much or push towards exhaustion. It’s best to indulge in small physical activities like prenatal yoga to keep your energy levels high.
