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If you’ve just found out you’re pregnant, congratulations. Over the next nine months (give or take) you’re going to find your body going through a lot of changes to make sure your baby grows as healthily as possible. The stresses and strains will all be worth it in the long run when you’re holding your new born bundle of joy in your arms but in the mean time you need to give your body the best chance to get through the pregnancy as easily as possible.
If you’ve always been very fit and active there’s no reason to suddenly stop working out. So long as you’re not doing anything to excess and you’re not putting your body under any unnecessary stress light exercise is vital for a healthy pregnancy. If you’re not usually an active person now is the time to start, even if it’s just going for a walk each day. Walking is great for making sure the muscles in the lower part of your body are as strong as possible and this is going to make the birth much easier on you. A light jog will also be ok so long as you’re not jolting or hitting the ground too hard but doctors will often advise against going for long runs when pregnant.
Swimming is also a great way to make sure those muscles are strong but you need to be careful in swimming pools without adequate filtering as the water needs to be as clean. At the same time you don’t want to be exposing your body to any unnecessarily harsh swimming pool chemicals but a gentle swim down your local swimming pool once a week shouldn’t do any harm. Many people find the tranquillity of the water very peaceful and calming which might be just what you’re looking for if you lead a particularly stressful life. Swimming is also recommended if you’re struggling to get a good night sleep or suffering from back ache in your pregnancy too.
As you’re growing throughout your pregnancy your body is going to have to cope with carrying a lot of extra weight, by building your muscles as you develop you’ll find your body copes with this much more easily. If you were never really into exercise before your pregnancy the thought of going for a run or a swim probably doesn’t appeal to you. One exercise any pregnant woman can try is yoga. If you look around you should be able to find a yoga class specifically for pregnant ladies. Yoga is a great exercise in general as it helps to strengthen and tone muscles but it’s also great for promoting well being and calmness. If you’re having a particularly stressful time you may find yoga is just what you needed to chill out.
Before you start any type of exercise it’s vital that you consult with your doctor, they’ll be able to advise you on any exercise you need to keep away from and what’s going to do the most good. Most doctors will advise you not to cycle during pregnancy but this is because it’s too easy to get knocked or fall off but an exercise bike is a perfectly healthy form of exercise. Things like horse riding, skiing or gymnastics are obviously not going to be advisable.
Above all always make sure you feel safe and comfortable, if you ever feel and pain or discomfort it’s vital you stop exercising straight away and if the pain doesn’t desist you need to consult a doctor.
If you fancy treating yourself to your very own swimming pool checkout World of Pools and H20 Fun for a great selection of swimming pools you can install in your own back garden.