Exercise is one of the most important things you can do to maintain your physical and mental health during pregnancy. Not only will it help you feel better, but exercising regularly may also reduce the risk for some problems that are more common in pregnant women.
Exercise has been shown to lower blood pressure, improve mood, increase energy levels, and decrease constipation. It’s also a great way to meet other new moms-to-be! And because many doctors recommend exercise even before conception, getting started early on will make it easier when morning sickness sets in during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Here’s everything you need to know about keeping fit in the first three months of pregnancy.
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There are many positive effects of exercise during pregnancy.
Some of the most significant benefits of staying active at this crucial time are:
Regular exercise has been shown to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of developing gestational diabetes, which can be dangerous for both mother and baby (3).
Studies have found that as little as 30 minutes of exercise three times a week can improve mood, counteracting the depression that is common in early pregnancy (2).
Exercising can help you work around the fatigue that commonly accompanies pregnancy and give you more energy overall (3).
Regular exercise helps alleviate constipation by working your bowels to keep them functioning properly (4).
Pain in the lower back and legs is common during pregnancy. Regular exercise can help reduce these discomforts and pain associated with leg cramps (3).
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Your muscles, ligaments, joints, and connective tissue are all stretched and loosened during pregnancy to make the growing uterus more comfortable (10). Many women experience pain in their lower back, legs, or other joints. If you have been sedentary before pregnancy, it is even more important to begin a regular exercise program before getting pregnant because your body may be less flexible and used to being inactive.
The changes in your body also influence the type and duration of exercises that you can perform. During each week of pregnancy, your center of gravity will change, and muscles will be stretched, making it less ideal to perform high-intensity exercises without the risk of falling.
It is best to talk with your doctor about which exercises your body can tolerate and how much it should be doing each week. Over-exercising while pregnant can cause miscarriage, preterm labor, and other complications (11). It is important to stay within the recommended guidelines for weight gain and exercise while pregnant:
Women who are underweight or have a low pre-pregnancy BMI should aim to gain 11–16 pounds during their pregnancy.
Women who are overweight or have a high pre-pregnancy BMI should aim to gain between 15 and 25 pounds during their pregnancy.
The best exercises for early pregnancy vary by individual, so it is important to talk with your doctor about what you can safely do at the moment. Light aerobic exercises, such as walking or swimming, are generally safe to perform throughout your pregnancy.
Read More: 17 Weeks Pregnant Diet: What To Eat And What To Avoid
There are many possible options for workouts during pregnancy. Some of the best pregnancy exercises include:
Taking a brisk walk for 30 minutes a day is beneficial and can be safely performed by most pregnant women.
The water’s buoyancy offers support and limits the impact of weight on your joints. In fact, the American Pregnancy Association recommends swimming as an excellent exercise during pregnancy as it strengthens muscles without excess strain or impact (1).
As long as your doctor says that you can perform yoga exercises, they can be a great way to keep fit. Many women find relief from common pregnancy discomforts such as back pain and morning sickness through yoga (9).
Exercises that focus on slow, controlled movements with proper breathing are considered safe for most pregnant women. Pilates helps build core strength and improves flexibility, both of which can help you avoid common pregnancy discomforts (7).
Stationary biking can be another great way to exercise during pregnancy. You will not need to balance yourself against the pull of gravity like you would on a moving bike, which makes it an easier workout for pregnant women.
Women who start strength training well before becoming pregnant are often in better shape than those who wait until after they have conceived. Start slowly and avoid exercises that may cause muscle strain or excess pressure on joints (6).
The muscles of the pelvic floor are often weak in women who have not done Kegels exercises before, which can lead to incontinence. Doing Kegels during pregnancy is a safe way to strengthen these muscles and combat potential bladder leakage.
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Here’s a sample pregnancy first-trimester exercise routine that has light to moderate-intensity activities:
Warm-up for 5 minutes.
3 sets of 20-25 reps each:
3 sets of 10-15 reps:
Cool down for 5 minutes.
It is critical to talk with your doctor about which activities you can safely do during pregnancy, even if they are low-impact, like stationary biking or swimming. For example, you should not perform abdominal exercises while pregnant because this can put too much pressure on the uterus (n). This also applies to high-intensity workouts like running. Although many women continue exercising throughout their pregnancies, it is important to stay within safe limits for weight gain and exercise while pregnant.
You must not perform exercises that involve lying flat or standing straight up (unless directed by your doctor). These activities increase pressure on your uterus and may cause serious complications if performed too often (8).
Some activities should only be done with other people present because they may cause injury if something goes wrong, such as horseback riding or downhill skiing.
Be wary of performing any exercises in hot weather, especially when combined with other strenuous activities. The risk of overheating is dangerous for your baby, so it is best to avoid performing exercise in hot weather whenever possible (5).
Warming up and cooling down, just like the rest of your workout, is important to do if you are exercising during pregnancy. Stretching before and after different activities can prevent injuries, muscle pains, and other discomforts.
While it may be tempting to exercise excessively or push yourself too far at times, it is important to remember that safety should always come first. Exercising within recommended limits will ensure that you remain healthy throughout your pregnancy.
Women who have experienced any of the following conditions should not perform high-intensity activities during pregnancy (8):
High-intensity activities should also be avoided during the first trimester if you are experiencing any of the following conditions (8):
Everyone’s body changes differently during their pregnancies and will have different tolerances for exercise depending on several factors. The most important thing to remember is that staying active can greatly improve your mental and physical health during and after your pregnancy!
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!