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Exercise. Not everyone enjoys exercising, but we know how important physical activity is for us especially during pregnancy. My intern, Makenna O’brien, is continuing her series on Having a Healthy Pregnancy. If you missed the first blog post on the overview of a healthy pregnancy, I recommend reading that one first.
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Exercise is so important in keeping your body healthy. It can improve your health and help reduce your risk of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and even cancer. It can have immediate and long term health benefits and improve your quality of life. Now that you are pregnant it is just as important to stay active. Most exercises are safe for pregnant women to perform, just be sure you are careful and don’t do more than you can handle! Like anything, talk to your doctor first. Take it slow, even if it is just going for a walk, any kind of movement is better than sitting on the couch.
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Why is exercising during pregnancy important?
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Physical activity has been shown to help reduce pregnancy discomfort. You want to strengthen your muscles to help your body cope with the changes that occur during the next 9 months. Exercises such as stretching or yoga can help with easing back pain and other aches and pains associated with carrying a baby. Going on a walk can help improve your circulation which in return, improves the blood flow to your growing baby. Aerobic exercises (such as swimming) can be beneficial to both you and your baby. It will help you by strengthening your heart, resulting in your heart pumping blood more efficiently to the rest of your body and delivering it to your baby via the placenta. Some studies have found that the fitness levels of mothers can have an influence on the length of their labor and the level of exhaustion during labor. Along these lines, women who exercise while they are pregnant tend to have faster recoveries and are able to return to their pre pregnancy weight. You may be tired after a workout, but you will have more energy throughout your day if you exercise regularly.
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How to get motivated?
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While pregnant, it may be hard to get motivated to even get ready to leave the house. Your body is going through so many changes. You are tired, you may be nauseous and you might feel uncomfortable, blame that on the hormone progesterone. There are, however, some ways to get yourself motivated to move more:
- Find someone, maybe your spouse or partner, to hold you accountable for your workouts, no matter how small the commitment.
- Set up a plan. It is difficult to go to a gym and not know what you are going to do. If you have a plan in mind of what you need to do you may be more motivated to get it done.
- Set up a routine. When you get in the rhythm of things and set up a routine, you might be more consistent
- Focus on your health and your baby’s health. Is there a better motivating factor than the little one growing in your tummy? Working out makes you healthier which makes your baby healthier.
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Choose an activity you like
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If you’re doing something you don’t like, it’s going to be harder to get yourself motivated. Find something you like
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Swimming
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This exercise is low impact on your body and your joints, which can make exercising more enjoyable while your body is growing.
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Yoga
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Yoga can help to strengthen your core and improve your flexibility. It involves gentle movements and can help you focus on breathing, meditation and relaxation. Avoid exaggerated movements and twists, inversions (headstands/shoulder stands), or lying on your back/belly for prolonged time periods when you are in the second half of pregnancy. Studies have suggested that yoga can reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep, and increase one’s muscular strength, flexibility and endurance.
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Planks
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Planks may not be your favorite exercise, but they can help strengthen your arms, back and your core. They are simple to perform and the best part is you don’t have to go to a gym to do it. You can do a plank in the comfort of your own home.
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Lifting weights
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When lifting weights when you’re expecting you want to be smart. You will want to aim for more reps rather than increasing your weight. While pregnant you may want to use a machine rather than free weights at the gym. Machines may help limit your range of motion, thus reducing the risk of injury. Just be sure that when you are lifting weights you stretch before and after you are done lifting.
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Just move!
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It is perfectly normal to feel tired during pregnancy and you may not feel the desire to work out. Women who exercise while they are pregnant tend to have more energy, less back pain, have a quicker recovery after delivery, and return faster to their pre-pregnancy body. You don’t need to pay hundreds of dollars on a fancy gym membership; you can do simple things at home to keep your bodying moving. Something as simple as taking a walk with your partner, your dog or your friend can be beneficial. Simple exercises such as squats and lunges are simple exercises you can do at home to help improve the strength of your muscles. Just be sure to get clearance from your doctor or midwife before doing more strenuous exercise.
Growing a human can wear you down, it can be tiring! Know that you are doing this for you AND for your baby! You may not want to exercise while you are pregnant, but you will be happy you did after you deliver. You’ve got it!
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Alexa Kiel Photography
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