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Safe exercise tips during pregnancy
If you already exercise regularly, you can continue working out while pregnant. If not, start slowly to gradually build fitness and stamina. Pregnancy exercise should be about maintaining fitness so remember to take it steady.
Here are some safe exercise tips for safe pregnancy exercise:
Speak to your Midwife
Consult your Midwife or GP before embarking on pregnancy exercise to ensure it is safe for you to do so. Especially if you are under observation, or you if didn’t exercise regularly before you were pregnant.
Don’t push yourself too hard
Your body will change a lot so listen to it and take it easy when you need to. Change your mindset to remember that pregnancy exercise should keep you active and it doesn’t have to be strenuous to benefit you. During pregnancy exercise you should be able to hold a conversation without gasping for breath. Avoid exercising for more than 45 minutes without a break.
Pregnancy exercise may become more difficult as your body changes and you may need to slow down later as your pregnancy progresses.
Warm-up and cool down
Warm-up gently before pregnancy exercise, and cool down afterwards to allow your heart rate to return to normal. This YouTube video gives useful tips for warming up and cooling down safely before pregnancy exercise:
Stay hydrated
Drink plenty of fluids when you exercise during pregnancy to avoid dehydration. Carry a bottle of water with you as an incentive and reminder to keep drinking throughout the day.
Choose safe pregnancy exercises
Now is not the time to try snowboarding or kickboxing! Pregnancy exercise should be a no contact activity with a low risk of falls or being hit which could harm your unborn baby. Safe pregnancy exercises include walking or jogging, swimming, and Pilates. We have included suggestions for pregnancy exercise below.
Walking is a steady exercise that you can enjoy throughout your pregnancy and a good activity to start with if you weren’t exercising before pregnancy.
Swimming is a good pregnancy exercise to raise your heart rate gently and give you a full-body workout without straining your joints. It is wonderful to feel weightless in the water as your bump grows larger!
Pilates is a great pregnancy exercise for keeping you supple and strong whilst balancing your mind. It is a good idea to attend a pregnancy Pilates class, and speak to the instructor beforehand to understand which moves are safe pregnancy exercises for you.
Aerobics are another enjoyable pregnancy exercise. Speak to the class instructor before you begin. If you are at home try online workouts that are designed for pregnancy exercise. Start slowly and build your stamina rather than burning yourself out.
Following these pregnancy exercise tips and enjoying safe exercises during pregnancy will be beneficial for both you and your baby. Pregnancy exercise should be enjoyable so listen to your body and stay safe but have fun!
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