Exercise and pregnancy

Filed in archive Exercises For Everyone on March 8, 2007

So the doctor says you have to take it easy now when you're pregnant? But how easy is easy? Does it mean you can't exercise? No, the other way around, you should exercise! But moderately.

When I became pregnant I was working out 4 times a week, when I became aware that I was pregnant I reduced it to once or twice a week. Which was wrong of me.
I had a wonderful pregnancy, I was never ill, the backache disappeared after a few weeks and everything was fine.
And I am sure it could have been better afterwards if I had exercised more.

I went to pregnancy yoga which was great! If you go to a gym regularly ask your personal trainer to make you a special program so that you can stay in shape.
If you are not used to exercising you can still start although you have to take it much easier. Once again: go to a gym and ask a PT for advice.

Walking is good and you can even go bicycling for some time until it gets uncomfortable. I am used to walking fast but found that when I was around 8 months pregnant my body didn't want me to do that anymore so I had to force myself to slow down.

By exercising and doing pelvic floor exercises your body gets stronger and more prepared for when the baby wants to come out and see the world.

I had to do a cesarean and a friend of mine had to do it as well. The difference between us is that she's a dancer and danced and exercised throughout the whole pregnancy. And her recovery was much better and faster than mine.

So if I have any more babies I will definitely not slack again but do my exercises.

If you are a mother, did you/do you, do exercises when you were pregnant? And was it beneficial did you think?

It is important though to remember that pregnancy is not the time to start a diet and you should always ask your doctor for advice before taking up an exercise!