Pregnancy changes an expectant mom’s lifestyle and daily habits. From the way you eat, you dress, and just how you manage through your daily activities, everything becomes new to you as you prepare your body for your baby. But these changes should not stop you from getting fit and healthy while you wait for the big day.
Apt and moderate exercise is the key to a healthy pregnancy and the best type of exercise during those nine extensive months would be cardiovascular activities. Now why are these cardiovascular activities important?
Reduce Back Pains and Improve Posture
Almost 80% of pregnant women experience back pains during pregnancy, especially on their second and third trimesters. Most commonly, this occurs due to posture strain and even weight gain. Mild and regular exercises help reduce those pains, however it’s better to consult your doctor for specific movements that can protect your mid portion as well.
With continuous mild exercises, pregnant women can expect easier labor and delivery as well as faster recovery. You can focus on strengthening your upper back and abdominal muscles. Such mild exercises only require around 20 to 30 minutes of your time. You can work on some stretching and yoga techniques to reduce back pains and improve your posture.
Improve Stamina
The stage of pregnancy can leave you breathless, particularly now that you are carrying that extra weight on your body. Some women experience difficulty in breathing after just a few steps going up the stairs or just plainly walking for five minutes.
Through cardiovascular exercises, pregnant women can increase and improve their stamina. Stamina refers to the ability to hold physical activities effectively and how much one can sustain energy for the body’s total utilization. Specifically during early pregnancy, you will regularly feel discomfort due to the changing weather which can make you feel a lot dizzy. Such feeling of discomfort can only be reduced by working on cardiovascular exercises that can improve your stamina.
However, there isn’t any alternate route for this than to take gradual steps. Especially now that you’re in the pregnancy phase, everything must be done in moderate amounts. Walking, swimming, and biking can help you improve your stamina and strengthen your breath as well.
Enhance Flexibility
Flexibility allows pregnant women to move with ease. During pregnancy, most women feel weak and awkward in movement because of the increasing weight and enlarging tummy. And when minor movements are limited, muscles become stiff and strained.
Flexible muscles are important in preparation for your labor day. Your body needs enough energy and movement to be able to deliver your baby in a healthy and safe condition. Aside from that, enough flexibility can help you maintain stability and mobility without feeling muscular strain. Yoga can be the perfect cardiovascular activity to enhance flexibility.
Keep in mind that cardiovascular activities provide you with advantages in preparation for your delivery day, even if you’re still in the pregnancy stage. Your physical strength and posture should be taken care of – of course, with the proper guidance of your doctor.
