Benefits of prenatal exercise.

It is certification renewal time for me.  Luckily, all of my professional certifications are due at the same time every two years--makes it easy to remember!  However, I tend to procrastinate and it is now crunch time.  

For this go-around, Human Kinetics offered a course on prenatal and postpartum exercise design and I jumped on the chance to brush-up on the most current recommendations regarding exercise and pregnancy.  

Recommendations have certainly evolved over the past century and even just the past several decades.  What was once thought to be detrimental to the mother and the fetus is now thought to be extremely beneficial in aiding the pregnant woman throughout her pregnancy and the very physical event of labor and delivery.

Below, you'll find a photo of my course book detailing the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists guidelines regarding prenatal and postpartum exercise.

***If you are able to exercise and do not have any risk factors or contraindications to exercise, here are just a few of the benefits that await you:

1.  Aerobic or cardiorespiratory exercise gives women greater energy reserves and helps them to handle the cardiovascular demands during the stresses of pregnancy, labor, and delivery.

2.  Strength and endurance exercises and flexibility training enables the body to accommodate to the changes in weight and posture during pregnancy and assist in a faster return to pre-pregnancy fitness levels.

3.  Exercise reduces the symptoms of pregnancy such as nausea, fatigue, leg cramps, excessive weight gain, constipation, backache, and other general discomforts.  

4.  Exercise improves self-esteem and body image and elevates mood as the pregnant woman adjusts to increased body weight.

5.  Exercise can reduce insulin resistance, improve oxygen delivery, and decrease excess fat deposition.

Talk to your healthcare provider about your pregnancy and how exercise fits your specific needs.

Be Well on Your Journey,
MLC

Always consult with your healthcare provider.  This is NOT a prescribed prenatal and postpartum exercise program.  

***Resource:
Prenatal & Postpartum Exercise Design
Gwen Hyatt, MS & Catherine Cram, MS