Healthy pregnant women can (and should) still exercise!
While it is not recommended that you perform physical activity at pre-pregnancy levels, you can still pursue activity in moderation; to maintain your physical well-being, prevent back pain and feel your best it is recommended that a pregnant women perform aerobic exercise 3-4 times a week for 35-90 minutes each time. Some of the benefits of working out while pregnant include:
- Improving posture
- Being an outlet for stress
- Combating discomfort
- Prevention of gestational diabetes
- Building and maintaining stamina necessary for labor and delivery
Exercise is an important part of a healthy pregnancy, but there are limits
At our office in Passaic, we encourage pregnant women to choose activities that are low-impact and aerobic focused. Exercises that involve a risk of falling or abdominal injury should be avoided and there are specific exercises that should be performed (and some that should be avoided) during each trimester. While you can safely exercise during pregnancy, it is always valuable to listen to your body. If you feel any of the following signs, it may be time to give it a break:
- Joint or muscle pain
- Irritability
- Too much fatigue
- Sharp pain
- Shortness of breath
Exercise can also be dangerous to pregnant women who have a history of pregnancy-related complications, so it is always worth talking to a doctor before starting any workout plan during your pregnancy. Avoid exercise before talking to a doctor if you have a history of preterm labor, pregnancy-induced hypertension, incompetent cervix, persistent vaginal bleeding during the last two trimesters or intrauterine growth restriction.
How we support pregnant women in Passaic
The important thing to remember is that if you were an athlete before pregnancy, you are still an athlete during pregnancy and you will still be one after! If you are looking to add exercise into your life now that you are pregnant, we will help you start slow and work up to a comfortable level that still gives you all the health benefits you need. If you are interested in giving yourself the best chance for a successful and healthy pregnancy, give our office in Passaic a call to schedule an appointment today.
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