Changes to your body: the effects of exercise in pregnancy
Your body undergoes numerous physiological and biomechanical changes throughout the nine-month period of your pregnancy.
Circulation
During the first trimester, most expectant mums experience vascular under fill, which occurs when the blood vessels become enlarged to supply sufficient oxygen to your baby, but your blood volume hasnβt changed. This effectively means blood β¦
Warning signs to look out for when exercising
Pregnancy is a special time, so, when exercising, the health of you and your baby should always come first. You should know the warning signs to look for - that may indicate you need to stop exercising - so as to not put yourself or your baby at any risk.
These β¦
Five reasons to do your pelvic floor exercises
Did you know the average pregnancy bump weighs around 6 kg? Therefore the pressure is building on your pelvic floor muscles before your baby even arrives! Pushing your baby out further weakens these muscles. This isn't good news for later life, which is why it's important to do your pelvic floor exercises β¦
Why choose pregnancy-focused exercise classes?
There are a number of effective antenatal exercise programmes that are low impact and will cause no major stress to your joints and muscles - and they offer numerous physical and emotional benefits.
Yoga or Pilates
Opens the pelvis to enable a (hopefully!) shorter and more active labour
Increases strength and β¦
VIDEO: How to exercise your pelvic floor muscles
What is the pelvic floor?
It consists of layers of muscles that stretch like a supportive hammock from your pubic bone to the end of your backbone.
Why is it important?
Your pelvic floor muscles are at risk of weakening during your pregnancy, due to the added weight bearing down on them from β¦
