If you have always been an active woman you may become frustrated as your pregnancy develops and your activities become limited. Don’t fret because likely your health care provider has advised you against sitting on the couch eating bon bons and wants you to remain as active as you can within reason. Prenatal training is essentially getting your body and mind ready for the birth of your baby and that includes regular, monitored and appropriate exercise.
If you engaged in regular walking, running or swimming you’ll likely be able to continue those exercises during your pregnancy after seeking confirmation from your doctor. Your prenatal training may be modified at each stage of your pregnancy to accommodate not only your growing belly but the health and development of your baby. Some women experience very few physical changes during their first trimester, while others are besieged with morning sickness and other ailments. Providing you don’t feel too bad, power walking is probably the safest and easiest exercise you can participate in. Check the type of athletic shoe you wear now and see if it provides you with ample support.
As you gain weight and your center of gravity shifts you might require more supportive athletic shoes. Wear loose, comfortable clothing and if you live in a humid or tropical climate, make sure you don’t head out during the hottest times of the day. Early morning or early evening are usually good times to get your daily exercise accomplished. Always bring along plenty of water and drink frequently to keep yourself hydrated. Remember, your body can be thirsty without your mouth getting dry. Water is a pregnant women’s best friend! In the second trimester, most women begin to “show” and moving about starts to become cumbersome. Additionally, as your internal organs shift about to make room for your growing baby, many women experience shortness of breath while they are engaged in normal everyday activities, that makes exercising even more difficult.
Your prenatal training should continue because being fit and healthy during your pregnancy will afford you a less stressful delivery and quicker recovery to your pre-pregnancy condition. If you don’t already practice yoga you might want to consider incorporating it into your prenatal training regimen. The standing yoga poses are the exercises that are most comfortable and safe for expecting moms. Another recommended type of exercise suitable for pregnant women is swimming. This is especially ideal if you live in a hot climate because it is very refreshing and you won’t even sweat! Also, the weightlessness you experience while in the pool will give your body a much needed rest from carrying around the extra weight. As you near your delivery date, check with your doctor to see exactly what type and at what level of intensity, you may safely exercise. You definitely don’t want to engage in any activity that may pose a threat to your baby or yourself. Also, it is a good time to practice your breathing and mind relaxation techniques in preparation for labor and delivery. The big day is almost upon you so get ready!