There are some general rules and guidelines to follow when exercising during pregnancy, mostly for safety reasons. These include listening to your body and avoiding any exercises that may cause you discomfort, avoiding any sudden or jarring movements, and staying hydrated.
Pregnancy is a special time when you need to be extra careful with your body. Here are the top ten rules for pregnancy exercises:
1. Beginning any pregnancy exercises, always check with your doctor first. They will be able to tell you if your body is ready to handle specific movements or stressful situations.
2. A pregnant woman needs to eat more calories than a non-pregnant woman. This is because she is growing a human being inside of her and needs the extra energy to do so. If she doesn’t eat enough calories, her body will start to break down her own tissue in order to get the nutrients it needs, which can be harmful to both her and her baby.
3. When you’re pregnant, it’s important to be reasonable with your activities and choose low-impact exercises. While it may be tempting to do daring and dangerous activities, it’s not worth putting yourself at risk. Instead, focus on activities like walking, gentle yoga, or playing light sports.
4. Pregnant women should always warm up before they begin any kind of physical activity, even if it’s something as low-impact as walking or biking. This is because pregnancy causes changes in a woman’s joints and muscles, so warming up and stretching beforehand can help avoid strain or injury.
5. If you have never been one to hydrate before and during a workout, it is especially important to do so when pregnant. You will need a lot of fluid and electrolytes to exercise safely while pregnant, and water is the best way to stay hydrated.
6. Pregnant women should pay attention to their body temperature, as they are more susceptible to heat-related problems. Sweating is the body’s way of cooling down, but during pregnancy, the body is not as efficient at regulating its temperature. This can lead to overheating and other issues, so it is important to keep cool and avoid excessive sweating.
7. When pregnant, you may experience new and unexpected pains. Additionally, your center of gravity changes, which can make you more susceptible to falling. To avoid injuries, take care to move slowly and deliberately.
8. Week 13 is an important milestone in your pregnancy – by the end of the first trimester, you will have reached the point where you cannot put pressure on the “vena cava”. This is a large vein that runs down the side of your body, and lying flat on your back can compress it, which can be dangerous for both you and your baby. So from now on, make sure to avoid lying flat on your back, and instead sleep on your side.
9. It’s important to cool down after exercising, especially during pregnancy. A brief period of cooling down will help you avoid injury and stay safe.
10. Exercise is a great way to relieve pregnancy-related aches and pains. Just be sure to get the okay from your physician before starting any new exercise routine.
