BENEFITS OF EXERCISE DURING PREGNANCY

There are many benefits for both mother and baby during pregnancy. 

For mothers physical benefits include improved posture and joint stability (back pain), helping to maintain day to day mobility, helping to control gestational diabetes, maintain fitness and weight management, better sleep and quicker labour and recovery.  Not to mention improved well-being through relaxation, better energy levels, improved self-confidence and also often the social aspect of interacting with others.

For babies it can help provide more oxygen to the placenta, give baby a lower resting heart rate and improved post lung function.  As well as helping keeping baby relaxed.

If you are pregnant and thinking about exercising it might be a bit daunting, especially if it's your first child.  You might be unsure as to what kind of exercise is most appropriate and safe for you to do.  As a qualified ante/post natal instructor I can advise you what is best for 'YOU' and your individual circumstances.  I offer ante natal personal training as well as advise on program design that you can follow alone.  Please contact me if you require any further information and advice.  kayj125@hotmail.com

Returning to Exercise After Child Birth can also be a concern.  Physiological changes during pregnancy can continue 4-6 weeks after giving birth so returning to exercise should be gentle and gradual.  Mothers who have had a c-section may also require longer recovery.  Your abdominal muscles separate during pregnancy and these can take time to recover.  Doing the wrong kind of abdominal exercise too soon after child birth can make the problem worse so do take advice from your mid-wife or exercise specialist.  The most important thing is your baby but if they are happy and healthy then exercising after child birth can help with instances of post natal depression and help you get your pre-baby body and confidence back.

If you are unsure if you should be exercising during your pregnancy, have a look at these official recommendations. 

Absolute Contraindications to Aerobic Exercise during Pregnancy (ACOG)

• Hemodynamically significant heart disease
• Restrictive lung disease
• Incompetent cervix/cerclage
• Multiple gestation at risk for premature labor
• Persistent second or third trimester bleeding
• Placenta previa after 26 weeks' gestation
• Premature labor during the current pregnancy
• Ruptured membranes
• Pregnancy-induced hypertension

Relative Contraindications to Aerobic Exercise during Pregnancy (ACOG)

• Severe anemia
• Unevaluated maternal cardiac arrhythmia
• Chronic bronchitis
• Poorly controlled type I diabetes
• Extremely obese or underweight
• History of extremely sedentary lifestyle
• Intrauterine growth restriction in current pregnancy
• Poorly controlled hypertension/preeclampsia
• Orthopedic limitations
• Poorly controlled seizure disorder
• Poorly controlled thyroid disease
• Heavy smoker

 Don't hesitate to contact me if you are in need of more specific advice or are thinking about starting a pre or post natal exercise program.