If you know me in real life, you’ll know that the fact I’m trying to stay fit while pregnant is a little bit odd as I was hardly what you’d call athletic to begin with.
Having said that, I am doing my utmost to be as fit as possible while pregnant. When I had my first daughter, I did Zumba to 20-something weeks and then did weekly aqua natal yoga. With my second, I did Zumba to 37 weeks pregnant. While neither labour could be categorised as easy (can any ever be?), I must say that both were fairly speedy compared to what I was expecting. Exercise is said to have a positive impact on a woman’s ability to birth a child, o what greater reason to focus on fitness?
What am I doing this time round?
I was over the moon when I discovered that Rachel had a class that I could get to and would work around my tuition commitments, so I went back to Zumba at around 20 weeks pregnant. If my fitness levels hadn’t been at a decent level, I wouldn’t have ever dreamt about it. However, I have managed fairly well. It’s just one session a week – in fact, I’m about to Zumba this evening!
I am also fairly active on my feet during my day job, so I know that the amount I walk is decent and will help when it comes to labour and probably recovery, too.
What else could I do?
If you already had a fitness routine prior to falling pregnant, if you feel able to continue with it, this is usually advisable. However, it is always good to chat to your midwife. Certain exercises might need tweaking to relieve the pressure as you are carrying extra weight and your muscles and joints are under a lot more strain as it is.
If you are looking to start exercising when you haven’t previously done anything, you might want to try:
- Walking – head out into the countryside for a walk or ask a friend to borrow their dog. Even just walking around the block a few times will be beneficial.
- Swimming – a nice gentle swim can do you the world of good, promoting your body’s creation of those wonderful endorphins. All strokes are suitable in early pregnancy, but try to avoid backstroke in later pregnancy as it places too much pressure on your blood vessels. Some women also report that breaststroke can be painful, too, but just see what feels best for you.
- Yoga or Pilates – both forms of exercise are great for supporting your physical and mental health. You may be lucky and find a local pre-natal class to attend.
- Gardening – to be honest, I find any excuse not to garden, but many people enjoy it (I can’t comprehend why!). Gardening is a gentle workout, but be sure to take care of your back. Also, avoid doing too much all in one go as you may exhaust yourself!
- Dancing – whether you take part in a class or you enjoy dancing along to some of your favourite tunes in the kitchen, dancing can raise your heart rate and help you with your overall health. I like to shove the radio on while I’m in the kitchen and just sing and dance along to my favourites. This is definitely a big part of me staying fit while pregnant.
If you are really keen to make a change, consult your midwife or consultant as well as seeking professional help. Seeking the advice of a PT who is experienced in pre-natal workouts and supporting pregnant women would be a great first step. Good luck – with both your fitness and your pregnancy!
