The Benefits of Exercising During Pregnancy

Pregnancy can be tiring, draining, and all around uncomfortable. The last thing you want to is to exercise, but being physically and mentally fit during pregnancy is so important and has many
benefits. Many exercises may be strenuous for pregnant women, but brisk walking, swimming, and actively playing with children are all exercises that are fun, easy, and they need no expensive equipment or any equipment at all! It may be a great way to get together with friends all while getting that physical exercise you need! Benefits include lowered risk for gestational diabetes, blood pressure, and a smoother labor and delivery.   

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends at least getting 150 minutes a week of moderate exercise. This may seem like a lot, but spread out during the week, it only equals 30 minutes a day not including Saturday and Sunday. If your day is jammed pack with activity like most people, it may be helpful spread out your exercise through the day 10-15 minutes at a time.

Exercising during pregnancy has so many benefits that not only help you, but that beautiful, growing baby inside you! One big benefit of exercising during pregnancy is the lowered risk of gestational diabetes. According to the CDC, "gestational diabetes can be a problem because blood sugar that is not well controlled in a woman with gestational diabetes can lead to problems for the pregnant women and the baby." Problems may include high blood pressure, an large baby which may lead to cesarean section, and low blood sugar. Exercising regularly during pregnancy is one of the biggest ways to prevent gestational diabetes. Exercising help get your blood sugar at a balanced level and neutralize food intake. To learn more about gestational diabetes click here.

Another great benefit of exercising during pregnancy is a lowered blood pressure. Having a normal blood pressure is great not only for pregnant women but for anyone! Having a good diet and exercising regularly are the number 1 ways to balance blood pressure. High blood pressure during pregnancy can impose a risk for complications such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes and preterm delivery. To help get to a normal blood pressure, the CDC recommends taking a brisk 10 minute walk, 3 times a day, 5 days a week! Try it out! Click to learn more about blood pressure and blood pressure during pregnancy. 

According to familyeducation.com, exercising during pregnancy may help in labor and delivery, especially stretching exercises! When exercising, muscles are used more frequently therefore stretching more to increase flexibility. The writer of this article shares a story of a pregnant mother who went to the hospital after regular exercise. "I once had a woman who exercised right up to her delivery. This woman came in to the hospital to get checked because she thought she might be in pre-labor (she'd had children before). Surprisingly, she was 8 centimeters dilated, and wasn't feeling too bad. She'd come straight to the hospital after pushing a lawnmower and mowing her entire lawn. Her labor only took an hour and a half, and she recovered quickly." This may be reason enough to be actively exercising during pregnancy!

If you or someone you know is pregnant, get them to commit to just spending 30 minutes a day to exercise. Explain the benefits and the great things that come from exercising during pregnancy. Make sure to not over exert yourself. Drink a lot of water, wear comfortable clothing and get plenty of rest! You can do it!