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Pregnancy and exercise … keep it up but keep it gentle
Exercising is good for your health. And this is also true for mums-to-be. However, some forms of exercise are more suitable than others.
By exercising you can reduce the risk of putting on too much weight. Generally speaking, women should not put on more than 13 extra kilos by the end of their pregnancy. Another key point is that exercising or practising some form of sport makes you feel better about yourself. Also, keeping active reduces the risk of developing gestational diabetes (diabetes of pregnancy) and promotes venous return (blood flow back to the heart).
All these benefits depend on the type of exercise chosen and the stage of pregnancy. Running should be stopped after the fourth or fifth month but it will help women to maintain their correct weight and also that of their baby. You can always replace running with swimming or walking in later pregnancy, for example.
Keeping well hydrated, eating a balanced and suitable diet are also essential for pregnant women to keep in good shape.
Most important of all is to follow your doctor’s advice. When pregnant, any form of sport or exercise should be chosen under medical advice.
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