A young pregnant woman doing relaxation exercise using a fitness ball and holding her tummy
Pregnancy is a “beautiful experience”. Some women may have better experiences than others, but it depends on how a woman embraces her journey. Some people may think that pregnant women should not exercise or are not allowed to let their heart rate over a certain rate. Some may think it is the perfect time to sit back and relax. In fact, those are myths. If a woman has been active prior to pregnancy, it is perfectly safe to continue exercising and listen to your body. If you were not active prior to pregnancy, you want to start slow and, again, listen to your body. You should ALWAYS consult your Doctor either way before beginning or continuing exercising to ensure you are cleared for exercises. Some benefits to exercising during pregnancy include:
- Reduced aches and pains
- Improve circulation throughout the body
- Improves sleep
- Have easier labor
- Better recovery post-partum
The American Pregnancy Association state, “Pregnancy often leaves women feeling less energetic, but regular exercise can give you more energy to make it through the day.” It is always important to with you check with your doctor to ensure you are cleared to exercise. Lack of exercise can lead to some aches in the body where physical therapy can help. Some problems that may occur include:
- Back pain
- Hip pain
- Leg pain
- Cramping
- Pelvic pain
- Risk of falls due to center of balance changing
Physical therapy can help alleviate pain and help improve function and quality of life to make pregnancy as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Consult your physical therapist today for an effective and safe rehabilitation program to ensure a smooth pregnancy. But remember, always consult your Doctor first prior to any exercise.