There’s no short-cutting this: regular exercise is one the best things you can do for your body and your baby. It may help with staying in a healthy weight range; boost your mood; lower the risk of complications like high blood pressure.
If you are experiencing a low-risk pregnancy, staying active can help you stay low-risk. Now if you weren’t so active before pregnancy, don’t go joining Crossfit or something! You can start a routine by walking a bit each day, increasing your time daily. Walking is my number one suggestion to mamas— start early in your pregnancy and commit!
Yoga is practically made for pregnant women. It teaches you focused breathing, stretching, and mindfulness.
Water aerobics or swimming is great for relieving achy joints and such. And good ol' cardio is great for burning off a good sweat and maintaining health. Just be sure you can talk while you do it- don’t overexert yourself!
Talk with your healthcare provider about what exercise is right for you. But if you can, commit to some dedicated movement in your first trimester so it becomes a good habit that you’re not willing to break.
I was on a pretty good workout routine before I got pregnant and continued working out throughout my pregnancy: I stopped at 37 weeks because I was tired! But I know it was beneficial to my physical and mental psyche. And y’all, I looked and felt good during pregnancy! I know an active lifestyle helped that. Now resuming exercise after pregnancy...? Whole ‘notha post! Lol
Were you active during pregnancy? Why or why not? No shame if you weren’t, we learn and grow from experiences!
Mabel Bashorun is a Certified Birth Doula, Lactation Counselor and Childbirth Educator. Mabel aims to encourage, educate, and support women throughout the pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum experience.
Mabel is passionate about serving women as they transition to motherhood through the sacred experience of birth.