Now we all know that there is no such thing as a pregnant man … unless you are a seahorse, but the question of whether pregnant people, that is, women, can exercise is one that needs an answer.
There are some people who say that pregnant women should not exercise. This is the furthest thing from the truth. In fact, it is important for pregnant women to exercise. Not only does it keep the mother fitter and healthier, it can also help during labor and speed up recovery time afterward. Women should exercise during pregnancy, but just like all other activities change when a woman is pregnant, so do exercises that are safer and better.
Exercising before having your baby will speed up the recovery process after you have your baby. Keeping your muscles strong and fit will help your body heal faster after birth. Also, if you have stronger muscles during labor, your body will be stronger and have more energy, and the more energy, the better during labor.
Here are some great exercises that are safe and can be done during pregnancy.
1. Walking – Walking is actually one of the best exercises overall, even if you are not pregnant. Walking is extremely good for you and is a great low-key exercise. Don’t just walk as if you were walking towards your car. Take a little jump in your stride and walk for the purpose of exercising. If you have a dog, this is a great way to do two things at once. Exercise and walk the dog.
2. Jogging – Jogging is very effective and safe for your inner baby. Jogging can become more difficult as the pregnancy progresses due to the weight it can carry, but it is generally safe throughout the entire process.
3. Swimming: Swimming is an excellent exercise that can take all the weight off the joints. Sometimes carrying the extra weight can cause pain and strain in the knees and ankles. Swimming is an amazing way to keep exercising but to reduce that pain.
4. Abdominal exercises: Abdominal exercises are an excellent strengthening for labor and recovery. The only precaution with abdominal exercises is lying on your back. This can reduce blood pressure and blood flow to the baby. It is suggested to perform abdominal exercises that do not require you to lie on your back. This means that abs and crunches are not a good idea. There are still tons of great abs workouts that you can do standing up or in fours.
There are some activities to avoid if you are pregnant. That is, try to avoid any activity that could cause you to trip or fall. Cycling, skiing, snowboarding, sports that include contact or a lot of movement such as tennis, volleyball, soccer, and more can pose a fall, jolt, or injury hazard to you or the baby inside. As your pregnancy progresses, the activities you can participate in will decrease.
The purpose of this article is to let you know that exercise is generally okay during pregnancy and to give you ideas of exercises you can do. This is not intended to be advice or advice in any way. Always check with your doctor or midwife before exercising to verify that the exercises you want to do are okay for your specific situation.