It is essential for a pregnant mother-to-be, to exercise before and after pregnancy, for several reasons. The body undergoes vital changes as it accommodates the growing child in the womb. Pre-natal exercise helps to increase muscle tone and increase energy levels, so that the mother does not feel lethargic, during the next few months. There is discomfort experienced, with the weight gain that cannot be helped and these new changes affect the well-being, of the pregnant mother.
A mother-to-be, who has been active and exercises regularly, will not have a problem of maintaining an active schedule during her pregnancy. For those who lead a sedentary life, pre-natal exercise is necessary to pre-condition the body, so that she is prepared to face labor and delivery, without undue stress. It is normal to feel tired frequently, when a woman experiences discomfort, with weight gain. Regular warming up exercises, toning and stretching, followed by relaxation techniques, helps to improve body posture, improve circulation and keeps the body more supple.
Several books are available on the subject of Pre-natal exercise and these can be viewed online at Amazon.com or other sites. It is important to choose a good book, with illustrations, so that the exercises are followed correctly. A health provider should monitor the exercises, till such time, the pregnant mother-to-be is able to perform the exercises correctly.
Aerobic exercises can be performed at different levels. Exercises should always begin with warm ups and stretches to encourage mobility. This should be followed by stretching and toning exercises, which help, to increase the muscle tone. Both the unborn baby and the mother are benefited at the time of delivery and after. The intensity of the workout is determined by several factors and should be supervised, by a mid-wife, or health provider.
The main thing to remember during pregnancy is to exercise regularly by performing your particular pre-natal workout plan. When the body is pre-conditioned, it is easier to recover after the pregnancy and regain perfect body contours again. It is important to feel a general sense of well-being, during pregnancy. A good routine of pre-natal exercise and relaxation techniques will help the mother-to-be enjoy giving birth to a bonny baby.
Want to find out more about pre-natal exercise, then visit Janet Gaye Walker’s site on how to choose the best pre-natal workout for your needs.