Healthwatch by Shyft

Join Dash Women's Health Communities for expert advice, curated resources & support.
Join now
Go back

Types Of Exercises For Pregnancy

Types Of Exercises For Pregnancy
download-file
Download our complete guide to Prenatal Care
arrow-right
Content
Content

Exercise is a vital part of a healthy pregnancy as it helps to make sure that you stay physically healthy throughout your pregnancy. Not only can it help you maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of gestational diabetes and preeclampsia (high blood pressure or hypertension), but it can also help you prepare for childbirth and recover more quickly after delivery. Exercising also has a positive impact on your mood and helps with pregnancy mood swings and helps mental health. However, not all exercises are safe for pregnant women. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the best types of exercises for pregnancy.

Walking

Walking is one of the safest and most accessible forms of exercise for pregnant women. It’s low-impact, easy to modify, and can be done almost anywhere. Walking can help improve cardiovascular health, maintain muscle tone, and reduce stress.

Swimming

Swimming is another excellent form of exercise for pregnant women. It’s low-impact and easy on the joints, making it ideal for women who may be experiencing joint pain or swelling during pregnancy. Swimming can help improve cardiovascular health, strengthen the muscles in the arms and legs, and reduce stress.

Prenatal Yoga

Prenatal yoga is a gentle form of yoga that is specifically designed for pregnant women. It focuses on breathing techniques, gentle stretching, and relaxation, making it an excellent way to reduce stress and prepare for childbirth. Prenatal yoga can also help improve flexibility and strength.

Stationary cycling

Stationary cycling is another low-impact form of exercise that is safe for pregnant women. It can help improve cardiovascular health, strengthen the leg muscles, and reduce stress. However, it’s important to adjust the bike properly to ensure that you’re not putting too much pressure on your lower back.

Strength training

Strength training exercises can help improve muscle tone and prepare your body for childbirth. However, it’s important to use lighter weights and focus on proper form to reduce the risk of injury. Strength training exercises that focus on the legs, back, and core are particularly beneficial during pregnancy.

Pelvic floor exercises


Pelvic floor exercises, also known as Kegels, can help strengthen the muscles that support the bladder, uterus, and bowels. Strong pelvic floor muscles can help reduce the risk of urinary incontinence and other pelvic floor disorders during and after pregnancy.

It’s important to note that not all types of exercise are safe for pregnant women. High-impact exercises, such as running or jumping, may not be appropriate for all women and should be discussed with your healthcare provider. It’s also important to listen to your body and adjust your exercise routine as needed.

Conclusion

In conclusion, exercise is an essential part of a healthy pregnancy. Walking, swimming, prenatal yoga, stationary cycling, strength training, and pelvic floor exercises are all safe and effective forms of exercise for pregnant women. However, it’s important to work closely with your healthcare provider to develop an exercise plan that is safe and appropriate for your individual needs.


Author:
Shyft Health

Shyft

linkedin
Shyft is your trusted source for health and wellness insights. We collaborate with a network of writers and health experts to curate evidence-based content. This content is further vetted and reviewed by our team of internal experts. Our platform is dedicated to providing you with reliable, accessible health information so you can make informed choices for a healthier life. read more
pcos
pcos
Download our complete guide to Prenatal Care
Enter your details

Enter your phone number or Email
address to download the PDF.

READ MORE ON :

Article By:

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles
when new information becomes available.

Read more

Continue to read on a range of topics related to Exercise, Nutrition, Mental Health and Sleep Health.

How Gestational Diabetes Impacts Your Baby

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that affects women during pregnancy. It usually develops in the second or third trimester and goes away after delivery. However, if left untreated, it can have serious consequences for both the mother and the baby. In this blog post, we will focus on how gestational diabetes affects a baby. Gestational diabetes occurs when the body cannot produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar levels during pregnancy. As a result, the mother's blood sugar… Read more

How Gestational Diabetes Impacts Your Baby

How Gestational Diabetes Impacts Your Baby

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that affects women during pregnancy. It usually develops in the second or third trimester and goes away after delivery. However, if left untreated, it can have serious consequences for both the mother and the baby. In this blog post, we will focus on how gestational diabetes affects a baby. Gestational diabetes occurs when the body cannot produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar levels during pregnancy. As a result, the mother's blood sugar…

book

3 minutes

|

calendar

09 Apr 2023

How much to exercise during Pregnancy

Exercise is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle, and it's especially important during pregnancy. However, many women are unsure of how much exercise is safe and appropriate during pregnancy. In this blog post, we'll explore how much exercise you should aim for during pregnancy to support your physical and mental health. First, it's important to note that every woman's pregnancy is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to exercise during pregnancy. The amount of exercise you should aim… Read more

Most read

How much to exercise during Pregnancy

How much to exercise during Pregnancy

Exercise is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle, and it's especially important during pregnancy. However, many women are unsure of how much exercise is safe and appropriate during pregnancy. In this blog post, we'll explore how much exercise you should aim for during pregnancy to support your physical and mental health. First, it's important to note that every woman's pregnancy is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to exercise during pregnancy. The amount of exercise you should aim…

book

3 minutes

|

calendar

23 Jul 2023

Most read

Gestational Diabetes: What You Need To Know About Symptoms, Causes, Risks, And Treatments

Are you pregnant and wondering about the risks of gestational diabetes? Or maybe you just want to learn more about what it is and how to treat it? If so, then this blog post is for you! Here, we will explain in detail what gestational diabetes is, its symptoms, causes, and risks, as well as the treatments available. Read on to find out more! Introduction to Gestational Diabetes Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. It… Read more

Gestational Diabetes: What You Need To Know About Symptoms, Causes, Risks, And Treatments

Gestational Diabetes: What You Need To Know About Symptoms, Causes, Risks, And Treatments

Are you pregnant and wondering about the risks of gestational diabetes? Or maybe you just want to learn more about what it is and how to treat it? If so, then this blog post is for you! Here, we will explain in detail what gestational diabetes is, its symptoms, causes, and risks, as well as the treatments available. Read on to find out more! Introduction to Gestational Diabetes Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. It…

book

5 minutes

|

calendar

10 Apr 2023

Mental Health During Pregnancy

4 minutes

05 Aug 2023

Mental Health During Pregnancy

Pregnancy brings with it a mix of feelings and your feelings can be unpredictable at times. You can be bright and chirpy one moment and irritant the next. You’d also be likely to experience a lot of mood swings during pregnancy. These feelings As you are taking care of yourself as well as your baby, whatever you’re feeling is being felt by your in the same intensity, so you’d want the best for your baby. Pregnancy is a wonderful time… Read more

Featured

Mental Health During Pregnancy

Mental Health During Pregnancy

Pregnancy brings with it a mix of feelings and your feelings can be unpredictable at times. You can be bright and chirpy one moment and irritant the next. You’d also be likely to experience a lot of mood swings during pregnancy. These feelings As you are taking care of yourself as well as your baby, whatever you’re feeling is being felt by your in the same intensity, so you’d want the best for your baby. Pregnancy is a wonderful time…

book

4 minutes

|

calendar

05 Aug 2023

Featured