Pregnancy is one of the most beautiful and exciting experiences that a woman can experience in her life. It is no coincidence that there are many future mothers who, in order to avoid putting on too many kilos and finding themselves with a completely transformed body after giving birth, begin to practice physical activity while pregnant.
Despite what one might think, playing sports with the baby bump has many benefits and, unless the pregnancy is at risk, it is good for both the mother and the baby.
Here are the pros, cons, and the most effective exercises that help keep fit in such a delicate period.
The benefits of physical activity in pregnancy
Playing sports is essential to keep fit and healthy but few know that it is advisable to continue training even during pregnancy. It is no coincidence that more and more sporty mothers-to-be have no intention of giving up physical activity while pregnant, even if they slightly modify their workout, so as not to get too tired and not to put the fetus at risk.
If practiced consistently, physical exercise during gestation has many benefits: it reduces back pain, improves posture, blood circulation in the legs, thus counteracting swelling, pain, and cramps, enhances respiratory and heart capacity, allowing the child to grow in a healthier way. These are all the benefits assured by MyDoc GYN clinics New York.
As if that weren’t enough, the physical activity during pregnancy limits the risk of gestational diabetes and helps to better cope with childbirth as it strengthens the pelvic floor muscles, reducing the painful perception of labor.
Furthermore, by increasing the levels of plasma beta-endorphins present in the body, the stress associated with the birth of the baby will also be extremely reduced. Of course, before starting to train it would be good to ask a doctor for advice, so as to understand if it is appropriate to undergo physical exertion and possibly what exercises to practice.
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The precautions to follow while training during pregnancy
While exercising during pregnancy is highly recommended, there are a number of precautions you must follow to avoid putting your health and that of the fetus at risk. However, if your health condition doesn’t allow it you can always start with a pelvic floor exerciser after giving birth.
First of all, it is important to distinguish between women who already played sports before getting pregnant and those who have always been sedentary. If there are no contraindications according to the gynecologist, the former can follow their normal training, taking care to reduce the pace and focus on lighter exercises, thus avoiding risky situations.
Sedentary women, on the other hand, should start moving regularly but without exaggerating, they can try their hand at something light, for example, like long walks or pilates which strengthens the abdominal muscles without straining the joints. Avoid sports that have a high risk of falls such as skiing or those with body-to-body contacts such as martial arts, both of which could cause very dangerous trauma to the abdomen.
Conclusion
Engaging in physical activity during pregnancy is useful for maintaining the state of well-being and physical fitness. However, it is necessary to do everything in maximum safety to avoid unpleasant unexpected events. The most recommended exercises are walking, as it is capable of increasing blood flow, burning calories, and avoiding overweight, thus providing swelling of the lower limbs.