Pregnancy and Push-Ups

The weather is getting warmer and the days are getting longer. It feels great to be out of doors. We tend to exercise more during the summer months and also to enjoy it more. You have to admit that it's more fun to swim at the beach than to work out at the gym. Just because you're expecting doesn't mean you need to sit on the sidelines. Exercise during pregnancy is good for you and can have some very positive benefits. If you're not use to exercising you need to start slowly. Maybe 5 minutes of walking daily. You can slowly increase that by 5 minutes a day until you feel comfortable walking 30 minutes a day. If you are someone who exercises regularly, by all means continue, although you may need to make some modifications. No push-ups!
When you're pregnant you may feel more tired and the heat and humidity of summer can add to your fatigue. Exercise can help. Just don't overdo it! The American College of Obstetrics recommends 30 minutes of moderate exercise on most days unless you have a medical or pregnancy related complication.
Exercise improves posture and decreases some common complaints such as back pain and fatigue. It also helps prevent gestational diabetes and pregnancy related high blood pressure and helps reduce postpartum depression. It also reduces stress. Besides all that, exercise prepares your body for birth. Preparing for the birthing process is like preparing for a marathon so it helps to as fit as possible.
Choose a low impact aerobic exercise over a high impact aerobic exercise. Working out while pregnant is not the same as working out when you're not pregnant. Even if you are someone that works out regularly there are certain considerations you need to be aware of. You body is obviously changing and this effects what you should and shouldn't do. For starters there is the change in your center of gravity. This effects balance. You shouldn't engage in contact sports. First of all it's too easy to get knocked over and secondly you don't want someone to inadvertently bump the bump! The other thing to be aware of is the issue of overheating. Avoid exercising in extremely hot weather. That's when you want to take your workout inside where it's air-conditioned. Keep in mind that when you overheat you can cool down. It's much harder for your baby to cool down. This is why hot tubs and saunas are not recommended during pregnancy. Always make sure to drink plenty of water. You need to stay hydrated and replace the fluids you are losing by working out. And remember to breathe! Don't hold your breath. Sometimes if we are very focused on a particular actively or move we forget to breath. Not a good idea. We need to keep the oxygen flowing so breathe!
These are some of my favorite exercises:
Swimming is great. No matter how big you are, you feel weightless in water. Swimming is a low impact exercise that is a great workout. Even if you don't swim, walking in a swimming pool is beneficial.
Walking is wonderful. You can do it anywhere and you don't need special equipment; just a good pair of shoes. Start slowly and build up your pace and distance.
Prenatal yoga taught by a certified prenatal yoga instructor is good not only for your body but also for your state of mind. You will be doing a lot of stretching and breathing which will really help during labor. Prenatal yoga classes are also great places to meet other pregnant women.
Pilates when taught by someone trained in prenatal pilates is great. There is a lot of focus on strengthening the core. This will help control the separation of the diastasis which in turn can
help eliminate back pain and the "mommy tummy".
You have lots of choices so start moving!
There are certain situations where exercise is not recommended and can actually be harmful.
If you have any of the following conditions do not exercise unless you have the permission of your doctor: low placenta, bleeding or spotting, weak cervix, threatened or recurrent miscarriages or any other pregnancy related conditions.
And even if you have none of these conditions it is always recommended that you consult your doctor before beginning any new exercise program.