Activity in pregnancy

Activity in pregnancy

Different countries have variety of customs when it comes to this time of life. In the majority of them older will consult younger generation to decrease physical activity during pregnancy. No wonder, even new moms feel exhausted and have no will to continue normal activity as before pregnancy. Especially during the first 12 weeks and in late third trimester. Here we can see some of busted myths about activity during pregnancy.

Squats. This famous exercise, so often part of many sport training and everyday activity, is one of the first exercises to be expelled during pregnancy. People thought that squatting would increase the pressure on uterus and the baby will be squeezed or even pushed down, so premature labour could happen. This is what we thought before, but after careful observation of physiognomy and muscle behavior during pregnancy, we can see only benefits.

First of al, a baby is protected and can not be pushed down. Unless it is late trimester when it’s uncomfortable, squatting is one of the best exercises to practice from the beginning of your pregnancy. It will help you strengthen lower back and leg muscles so when your weight starts to increase, the body will be able to follow up easily and you can continue without pain till your term. In practice, we see two major groups:

1. women who exercised light activity (brisk walk, light yoga, even playing with kids and pets includes a lot of mild exercises) had “light” pregnancy, kept muscle tones, very well psychological condition during and after pregnancy, which is one of the most important benefits.

2. Women who decreased activity, became more statical and avoid walks, light exercise, most of the time sits and rely completely on their friend and family to do everything what they used to normally does. We see that these women had severe back pain, cramps, tingling in their limbs because of the decreased blood circulation and higher weight gain. Finally, all these common symptoms were causing poor sleep, bad psychological condition and difficulties with recovery after giving birth.

All of the mentioned symptoms could be present in both groups of women, but in the first group, they were mild and bearable while in the second, they demand medical treatment.
A healthy woman knows exactly how much activity is good for her and a baby. Sudden change in life habits which would include a new type of sport, for example, is never good and will cause a stress for both-mother and a baby. So don’t start suddenly with cycling, yoga or anything demanding, not even a very long walk if you didn’t practice them before.

Include a variety of food in your diet so that you can have enough valuable nutrients and that you can keep up with a healthy active lifestyle. You will be happier and full of strength and your baby will progress nicely, without stress so that you can really call this time of your life-magical!