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Pregnancy Changes
•
Joints
• Balance
• Balance
• Heart Rate
The Benefits of Pregnancy
Exercise
Exercising regularly is beneficial because it helps build your bones and
muscles, increases your energy level, and keeps you healthy. Exercise
during pregnancy has the added benefit of helping you look and feel your
best at a time when you're experiencing many changes in your body.
Read the following information from the American College of Obstetricians
and Gynecologists and learn how pregnancy affects your ability to exercise
and how exercising during pregnancy can benefit you: Pregnancy Changes
Many of the physical changes caused by pregnancy affect your ability to
exercise:
Joints
Due to pregnancy hormones, the ligaments that support your joints become
more relaxed. Because of this added mobility in your joints, your risk
of injury increases. For this reason, you should avoid bouncy, high-impact
or jerky exercises.
Balance
As your pregnancy progresses, the extra weight in your belly shifts your
center of gravity and stresses your joints and muscles--particularly those
in the pelvis and lower back. The result is greater instability, back
pain, loss of balance, and increased risk of falling.
Heart
Rate
Because your weight increases during pregnancy, your heart has to work
harder. Exercise increases your heart rate and the flow of oxygen and
blood to muscles and away from other parts of your body. It's crucial
not to overexert yourself.
The Benefits of Pregnancy Exercise
Exercising and staying active during your pregnancy can help you with
some of the symptoms of pregnancy like feeling tired and sluggish, and
gaining too much weight. Exercise during pregnancy is beneficial because
it:
• Reduces backaches, constipation, bloating, and swelling
• Increases energy and stamina
• Lifts your spirits
and balances your mood
• Improves posture
• Helps
build better muscle tone and strength
• Promotes better sleep
• Gives you a sense of control and self-confidence
•
Provides you with time for yourself to do something for yourself
• Gives you the opportunity to do some socializing. A pregnancy
exercise class is a great way to befriend other pregnant
women.
In addition to keeping you fit and healthy now, regular activity during
pregnancy also helps improve your ability to cope with the rigors of labour.
And after baby is born, it is easier for you to get back in shape if you've
been staying fit all along. While moderate and pregnancy-safe exercises
are good for you, it's not advisable that you exercise for weight-loss
purposes during pregnancy.
Source: American College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists
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