There are many benefits of continuing exercise during pregnancy. One thing to remember, though, is that you should have reasonable goals and expectations.
Why should I exercise when pregnant?
Pregnancy is NOT a time to try to reach peak fitness levels. But it is a time to maintain good fitness levels! Some of the benefits include:
- Quicker postnatal recovery
- Easier, shorter labours (apparently!)
- Reduced weight gain
- It helps prevent gestational diabetes
- It improves glycemic control in women with gestational diabetes
- It improves your body awareness
- Your circulation improves, and you’re less likely to get leg cramps
- Reduced oedema (swelling) and better self-image
- Less insomnia, stress anxiety and depression.
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) recommends that exercise sessions should be limited to 45 minutes in pregnancy. Most pregnancy-focused classes include a relaxation section, so they meet these guidelines.
What if I don’t exercise?
We all know exercise is important, but in pregnancy you might feel less inclined to start a new exercise regime. But it’s important to consider the possible effects of not exercising in pregnancy, including:
- Loss of muscular and cardiovascular fitness (you’ll need muscle strength in labour!)
- Excessive maternal weight gain
- Raised risk of gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia
- Development of varicose veins
- Increased incidence of physical complaints such as dyspnoea or lower back pain
- Poor psychological adjustment to the physical changes of pregnancy.
Information provided by Fit 2 Drop
![🔔 new blog alert 🔔
It's so important to educate yourself, and understand your rights as you're looked after during your pregnancy, labour, birth and beyond. Whether it's a routine check or a major procedure, YOU decide what happens to your body. 💪💜
In our latest blog, we dive into the importance of informed consent and how healthcare providers must give you clear, unbiased information so you can make the best decisions for yourself and your baby. 📋✨
Key points to remember:
🤝 Your choice matters! Always ask questions and ensure you understand the options.
🚨 You can withdraw consent at any time. It's YOUR body, YOUR baby, YOUR decision.
💕 Even your birth partner can’t make decisions for you, but they can help advocate for your preferences.
👶Post-birth, both parents may share in decisions for your baby, but until then, it’s the pregnant person's choice.
Check out the full post and empower yourself with knowledge. 🔗 [Link in bio]
https://newlifeclasses.com/2024/11/12/the-importance-of-consent-in-maternity-care/
#MaternityCare #InformedConsent #YourBodyYourChoice #EmpoweredBirthing #PregnancyJourney](https://newlifeclasses.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)