Your health is paramount, and never more so than when you’re expecting a baby. Maintaining your physical fitness can not only fight stress, it can also provide you with the necessary strength to meet the demands of pregnancy, particularly during the latter stages.
Aside from undertaking basic daily exercises during your pregnancy, it’s also important to check for any underlying health issues which may lead to complications. Thankfully, DNA testing is widely accessible and using DNA testing kits is an effective way to check for any such issues.
Exercise is usually recommended during pregnancy, however, it’s always important to consult your doctor before hitting the gym or getting the exercise mats out at home.
Overall health of mother and baby
Just 20 minutes of exercise, 4 days a week can be enough to keep you active and keep your blood flowing.
Exercises such as prenatal yoga are low impact and can help you maintain a healthy posture and promote muscular strength. Exercise of this nature can also get rid of excess stress and energy, helping you get a better night’s sleep.
Other benefits
Good core strength and a good exercise routine may significantly improve your ability to cope with labour.
Giving birth is perhaps the most strenuous natural exercise the human body has to go through, so a state of strong physical health will, in theory, make you better prepared for what’s to come.
What’s more, a good, well established exercise routine increases your chances of being motivated to continue following the birth. This will ensure that the excess weight gained during pregnancy is worked off quicker, allowing you to return to your previous shape.
Exercises to avoid
Exercise during pregnancy should never be overly strenuous, rather it should be simply enough to raise the heart rate without you reaching the point of exhaustion or shortness of breath.
Activities where you are liable to fall should be avoided at all times, as should any sports which involve physical contact or the use of hard equipment, such as bats, racquets or balls.
Exercise in excessively warm or humid environments should also be avoided, as should exercises which involve extensive jumping or bouncing.
Other things to consider
Diet is vitally important, so be sure to take in the requisite number of calories needed to meet the demands of your pregnancy as well as your exercise program, and avoid eating within an hour of starting your exercise.
Keep well hydrated at all times, especially during exercise, and wear loose fitting comfortable clothes.
Exercise on a flat, comfortable surface. This will help to prevent injury and allow you to work out more efficiently. When getting up, take your time to reduce the feeling of dizziness which can sometimes occur when you stand up too fast.