3 things you should know before starting prenatal exercise.
Posted by Travis
Exercising while pregnant can be a very beneficial thing to do. There are some things you will want to think about before you start a prenatal exercise program. In this article I will go over these three things.
1. Have you exercised before?
Your current physical fitness level is a determining factor when it comes to planning your prenatal exercise program. If you haven’t been exercising regularly and you just now decided to start because you’ve heard about the great benefits exercising has during pregnancy, then you need to step into it slowly. The great thing about exercising while you are pregnant is you never want to over do it. You can push yourself to the limits when you’re not pregnant, but during this time of your life take it easy. Gradually increase your workouts length and difficulty.
If you have been exercising regularly before getting pregnant, you can continue with your normal exercise program but with some precautions. Like stated before, you don’t want to over do it even if you are very physically fit. During pregnancy, you don’t want your heart rate to get above 140 during exercise. Your heart rate will be faster anyways during this time due so this is something you want to pay attention too.
2. Why should you exercise pregnant?
There are so many benefits of exercising while you are pregnant. How would you like an easier labor, faster recovery time from delivery, and an easier time losing the extra baby weight you put on during pregnancy? All three sound pretty good. Your exercise goals are different when you become pregnant. You aren’t trying to fit into a smaller outfit or lose the last 5 pounds before beach season. It’s all about preparing yourself for pregnancy making it easier on you and the baby.
3. When you shouldn’t exercise.
Sometimes during pregnancy, it wouldn’t be wise for you to exercise. If you experience dizziness, nausea, excessive sweating, swelling, vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, or hot/cold flashes, then you should stop exercising and see your physician. All of these can be warning signs and shouldn’t be overlooked.
Prenatal exercise can be great for both you and the baby. It should definitely be a part of your pregnancy routine. You’re one step closer to having an easier pregnancy. Click here to learn the next steps! To help get you started, try these pregnancy exercises. Remember to talk with your doctor before starting any fitness program especially during this time of your life.