Thursday, 26 October 2017 08:06

Benefits of Exercise during pregnancy

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An unhealthy lifestyle during pregnancy can lead to excessive weight gain, gestational diabetes, lower back pain, high blood pressure and other conditions during pregnancy. Pregnancy is probably one of the best time to make the shift to a healthy lifestyle. The lifestyle, that you have been probably planning for a while but put it off. You now have a great reason to pursue a healthy lifestyle.

Moderate exercise during pregnancy is good for both mother and the child.

Exercise can improve heart health and stamina, decrease fatigue and tiredness and can reduce constipation. Walking and Exercise also boosts your mood and energy levels and enhances sleep. Yoga and meditation could also help in psychological and mental benefits and sometimes in the reduction of pain. But some yoga asanas may not be recommended for pregnant women. Always consult a yoga expert before you do any yogic postures, to find out if it can be done by a pregnant woman.

The intensity of exercise should always be moderate. It is usually considered safe to start after 9 to 12  weeks of pregnancy when the prenatal development of the baby is almost complete and the placenta would have also begun to take over the function of nourishing the baby.

Every woman is different and so it goes without saying that, you should always consult your doctor, before starting an exercise routine.

Exercising during pregnancy is thought to improve blood circulation in your body which in turn could lead to a good supply of nutrients to the growing baby. Moderate exercise like walking controls weight gain during pregnancy. It also prepares your muscles for labor and delivery. It is said that exercise during pregnancy could shorten the process of labor and help in easy delivery. If all the above reasons are not enough to start exercising, another added benefit of exercise is that it also speeds up the process of recovery after delivery.

But, before you start -  be careful to choose comfortable clothes, proper footwear ( Preferably shoes) for exercise.  You could start with a morning walk lasting for 30 to 45 minutes every day. Choose safe areas where there is no risk of a fall. Most exercises are safe to perform during pregnancy but always excise caution and again please consult your doctor.

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Last modified on Monday, 06 August 2018 06:16
Dr Padma

Dr Padma is a Family care physician and is the Founder and CEO of MedHealthTV.

www.medhealthtv.com

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