Exercise during pregnancy

Exercise is a vital part of maintaining a healthy and fit lifestyle, and being pregnant definitely isn't an excuse to not exercise. In fact, pregnant woman have even more reasons than other people to exercise during pregnancy. The different stages of pregnancy come with various physical complications, from morning sickness to cramping and back pains. All of these symptoms can be eliminated, or at least reduced, by doing some exercise routines.

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Women perceive the idea of exercising during pregnancy in different ways. Some consider it to be something close to torture while others welcome it and see it as one of their first opportunities to provide care and nourishment to their unborn baby. Majority of expectant mothers do realize that exercise during pregnancy is very important, although some may not know exactly what the benefits are of doing the routines recommended by their obstetricians. Exercise is very influential in the kind of labor and delivery a woman will be going through.

When exercising, you obviously need to exert some effort in order to gain any results. However, there is a fine line between doing your routines well and overexerting your body. It is very important not to cross that line, especially when you are pregnant. Most doctors will recommend pregnant women to start with exercises that are not that strenuous, such as walking for a few minutes every day, as well as some minor stretching. Anything that requires too much effort is not allowed, as this can cause several complications that may harm you or your unborn baby.

Sometimes, you might see some pregnant women jogging around the neighborhood even when they look like they are about to pop any second. These women are probably trained athletes whose bodies are used to the physical exertion, and their doctors have probably sanctioned their exercise routines. You, on the other hand, should stick to "normal" routines unless you are a professional athlete as well. Even so, you need to make sure you consult with your obstetrician before starting on any new exercises, especially if you are already in your second or third trimester. An important thing to note is that floor exercises are prohibited once you enter the second trimester, regardless of how rigorous your athletic training may be.

If you are one of the millions of pregnant women who have never exercised before in their lives, you are in for a major change. Instead of being an excuse to continue lying down on the couch the whole day, your pregnancy will actually require you to get up and get moving. This may seem like an enormous task in the beginning, but as you get used to the movements, you will soon notice the benefits that exercise will have on your pregnant body.

Walking is the best way for you to start improving your blood circulation and making your bones and muscles more limber for your upcoming delivery. The great thing about walking is that all pregnant women can do it, regardless of what their health condition is, and what trimester they are currently in. Walking is also very useful if you are nearing your due date and you are still not showing any signs of going into labor. By walking, you can stimulate the abdominal muscles, eventually encouraging the start of your contractions.

Several decades ago, exercise during pregnancy may have been considered out of this world. Those were the days when the older people would just about have a heart attack when they see a young pregnant woman carrying a couple of heavy books or walking outside just to have a breath of fresh air. Loads of discoveries and changes have been made since those days of lack of medical knowledge. Now, people recognize that exercise during pregnancy is not only allowed, but is in fact required, in order to have an easier and shorter labor and delivery.

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