Listen to your body. (Exercise When Pregnant in general)

Member Name: Claribella

Product:	Exercise When Pregnant in general
Date:	19/03/09 (148 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Helps with labour and birth

Disadvantages: Sometimes its hard to get motivated.

I think I am not in the minority when I say that when most woman are pregnant for the first time they are scared into doing nothing throughout the whole nine months. I didn't lift bin bags, barely hoovered, didn't pick up any of my friends toddlers and if I so much as tried to pack my bags at the checkout, my hubby would swiftly jump in and move me out the way. I grew pretty quickly and suffered with back pain even though my bump was small. In the end few weeks I suffered with terrible sciatica and generally felt like rubbish.

During my second pregnancy it was a different story altogether. Noah was around ten months when I fell pregnant and he was months a way from walking infact he'd wasn't even crawling. He was in my arms a lot. I'd have to lug heavy shopping home from the supermarket and I walked a lot as we had gotten rid of our car. I also remember running around playing football in the park at 39 weeks. I felt much healthier and happier and I felt much better after the pregnancy too.

I think it's really important to do some exercise during pregnancy because it prepares you for the birth. Here are some thing that I have learnt during my two pregnancies. Of course this is not proffessional advice so please make sure you check it out with the right people first.

1) Don't start a lot of exercise.
If someone recommends that it's good for you to exercise during pregnancy then don't go out and do a marathon if you aren't used to running. Take up a light hobby that is easy on the body like swimming or Pilates.

2) If it's too much then stop.
If you are generally quite active then you can keep your routine. As your pregnancy progresses then you may find that you are just too tired or unable physically to keep it up throughout the whole nine months. Listen to your body and if it get's too much then cut down or stop altogether.

3)Try out classes that are designed for pregnant woman.
At my local swimming pool they run Aquanatal classes and at my gym they do pregnancy Pilates. Both of these classes are great for preparing your body for birth and labour. They keep your body in good shape and even help with your breathing.

4) Muscles loosen.
When you become pregnant, the hormones in your body encourage your muscles to loosen in preparation for the birth. I often found that I pulled muscles a lot easier during my pregnancies. Bare this in mind when you are exercising; make sure yo warm up and stretch but don't over stretch either.

5) Empty your bladder.
I always found that I was in the middle of a class, run or walk and I'd suddenly need the loo because of the moving around. I think my babies took this opportunity to use my bladder as a bouncy castle. I got into the routine of going to the loo before any exercise or I'd end up havin to go half way through.

Summary.
- Don't start anything too strenuous when you become pregnant.
- Listen to your body.
- Warm up
- Don't over stretch
- Find out about pregnancy related classes in your area.
- Go to the loo!!!!!!!

Over all doing a little exercise during pregnancy is good for you and the baby as it releases 'Feel good' hormones in to your body so this transfers through to your baby too. It can make you feel better and happier so go for it!

Summary: I did it and loved it.