Exercising during pregnancy offers a variety of benefits, including preparing you physically for child birth and increasing your endorphins. Though it is safe to exercise during pregnancy, there are a few things to keep in mind before starting an exercise plan.
1. Ask your Physician First
If you worked out regularly before your pregnancy, it is usually safe to continue your fitness regimen. However, if you didn’t exercise before pregnancy, it’s important to start slow with workouts. Keep in mind that light exercise is preferred over intense, cardio workouts.
2. Take in Extra Calories
During pregnancy, your body will naturally gain weight while the baby grows. To help nourish and strengthen your body during pregnancy, take in extra calories. If you have a normal BMI, you should be eating around 300 calories more than you did before pregnancy.
3. Warm Up
Stretching before exercise is always important, but it’s even more important during pregnancy. Going right to strenuous activity can lead to straining muscles and ligaments.
4. Drink a lot of Water
If you don’t drink water before, during and after exercise, you could become dehydrated. Dehydration during pregnancy can cause contractions and raise your body temperature to levels that are potentially harmful to you and the baby.
5. Don’t Lie Flat on your Back
After the first trimester, it’s important to avoid lying flat on your back. Lying on your back will reduce blood to your heart and will reduce the blood flow to your brain and uterus. Reducing blood flow to the brain and uterus can cause dizziness, shortness of breath and nausea.
For more information on fitness during pregnancy, consult one of our physicians today.