When you find out you are pregnant, it may be tempting for others to try and stop you from doing anything for yourself, particularly panicked partners. However, it is important that you continue to be active during pregnancy for a number of reasons.

There is no doubt that finding out a baby is due is a truly wonderful experience for most women and their partners. However, for those having a baby for the first time, it can be difficult to know what to do. Often, panicked partners will try and stop the pregnant woman from doing anything active for fear of hurting the unborn infant. However, it is vital for women to ensure that they remain active during pregnancy – to reasonable levels, of course.

Taking steps to reduce risks

While you shouldn’t sign yourself up for bungee jumping or mountain climbing after finding out about your pregnancy, you should avoid sitting around the becoming inactive for the whole nine months. Pregnancy and childbirth can lead to a range of issues including the risk of incontinence. Although you can get products from places like Hartmann Direct, you also need to make sure you take steps to reduce the risk of complications such as this.

Top reasons to make sure you remain active during your pregnancy

If you are pregnant for the first time, you may be uncertain with regards to what you can and cannot do when it comes to activity. Some people try and treat pregnant women with kid gloves, panicking if they do so much as carry their own plate into the kitchen after a meal. While you do have to take care of yourself during pregnancy, there is certainly no reason to become inactive. In fact, the benefits will come from making sure you are active during this period.

Some of the main benefits of staying active during pregnancy include:

  • Reduce the risk of long-term weight gain: Of course, you will put weight on as a result of being pregnant. However, if you are inactive you will also put non-pregnancy weight on, which will be far more difficult to lose and will be there for the long-term. When you exercise and remain active, you can reduce the risk of putting on non-pregnancy weight.
  • Easier labour and delivery: By staying active, you can build strength in your abs and benefit from cardiovascular health. This can then increase your chances of an easier labour and delivery when the time comes. You will have more strength for pushing and you should experience less pain.
  • Reducing the risk of needing diabetes treatment: When you are pregnant you experience an increase in blood sugar levels. This increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes quite dramatically. However, by remaining active, you can delay or even prevent the need for medication to treat this type of diabetes.
  • Relief from pregnancy-related back pain: Many women who are pregnant get aches and pains in the back. This can affect a huge number of heavily pregnant women. However, doing certain activities such as yoga can help to keep back pain and problems at bay throughout your pregnancy.
  • Benefit from higher energy levels: When you are pregnant, particularly in the later stages, you can start feeling really sluggish and tired all the time. This is no way to enjoy your pregnancy. By making sure you stay active, you can boost your energy levels naturally and enjoy the unique and wonderful experience of pregnancy.
  • Increasing the chances of a normal delivery: According to research, women who stay active during pregnancy are far more likely to benefit from a natural delivery rather than having to have a forceps delivery, C-section, or episiotomy.
  • Maintain a stronger pelvic area: Remaining active by doing targeted exercises can help to build up your pelvic strength during pregnancy. This means that you are less likely to struggle when it comes to giving birth. In addition, those that have given birth are more likely to become incontinent but strengthening your muscles and pelvic area through exercise can help to reduce the risks.

A wide range of additional benefits

These are some of the key benefits of remaining active during pregnancy, but it is by no means a comprehensive one. There are many additional benefits that you will be able to look forward to by making sure you keep your activity levels up. You will find plenty of different types of exercises that are perfectly safe to do while pregnant, so speak to your healthcare advisor or GP surgery for some advice.

 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this publication are those of Ryan Jones who works on behalf of HARTMANN DIRECT, a leading supplier of continence care products and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Well One.