Pregnancy can turn even the most active mother into a couch potato. From dealing with morning sickness, swollen feet, and other effects of being pregnant, the last thing anyone wants to do is a workout in that condition. However, health experts recommend that pregnant women should engage in physical activities to ensure a healthy pregnancy and healthy long-term effects for both the mother and the child. Here are some of the reasons you should work out when you’re pregnant.
- Reduces Pregnancy Complications
Physical activities may help the baby to drop inside the womb. Women in later trimesters are recommended to take daily walks to help relax the pelvic muscles hence ensure a normal birth on their due date. Additionally, exercising reduces the chances of developing diabetes and high blood pressure which is prone to pregnant women and can result in miscarriages. Pregnancy: 8 Causes Of A Miscarriage
- Increases Baby’s Motor Skills
If you want to have well-coordinated babies, then you should start exercising when pregnant. According to research, babies born to women who engage in physical activities picked up coordination skills faster than those born to women who didn’t exercise. Though the reason is still unknown, it could be because the baby receives more blood, oxygen, and nutrients from their mothers which may boost their brain and nervous system.
- Improves Posture
It’s crucial to exercise during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Due to the weight of the pregnancy, many women tend to slouch and experience muscle aches. Exercising can counter these effects by supplying oxygen to your muscles. This may also prevent long-term joint aches that are associated with pregnancy.
- Boosts Energy Levels
During pregnancy, it’s normal to feel more tired than usual since your body is going through many physical changes. However, boosting your energy levels will fight these feelings of fatigue while keeping your feel-good hormones high. This, in turn, leaves you feeling revitalized which leads to a much happier pregnancy.
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- Reduces Discomfort
Pregnant women experience different kinds of pain all the time from backaches to abdominal pains. These symptoms can rob you of a happy pregnancy experience. Exercises such as yoga and swimming can help deal with these aches since they strengthen your muscles which allow you to withstand the physical changes happening to your body.
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- Boosts Recovery After Birth
Maintaining a workout routine throughout your pregnancy will help you bounce back faster after childbirth. Every woman wants her pre-pregnancy body back after giving birth. However, your physical activity or lack thereof will determine how long it will take you to lose the baby weight. Additionally, since exercising boosts immunity, it may also reduce your recovery time after birth.
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- Improves Sleep
Insomnia and difficulty sleeping are some of the biggest side effects of pregnancy. Due to the discomfort and body aches, many women find it hard to get good quality sleep. Exercising may deal with this problem since it tires you out thus helping you sleep better.
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- Prepares To Push
Workouts are a great way to build up strength for childbirth. Additionally, since working out helps with endurance, you’ll be able to stay focused on the core muscles which assist in childbirth. It also helps to know that you’re strong enough to push your baby.
Check out 9 Tips For A Healthy Pregnancy and Benefits Of Watermelon During Pregnancy. Also check out Four Tips To Help You Prepare Financially Before Your Baby Is Due and 4 Things You Should Know About Your Maternity Insurance Cover