If I am pregnant, can I stay active?
Exercising can be a difficult thing to continue during transitional times and when you are expecting a baby! Here are some helpful tips about keeping active during pregnancy.
Benefits of exercise
You might have heard before that exercise can cause early delivery, low birth weight, or early pregnancy loss, but according to the CDC, this is not true. There are many benefits for both you and your child. For you, there is a lower risk of gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, and assisted vaginal birth. Exercise can also help your mood, psychological health, overall fitness, and could make recovery and labor shorter! For your baby, it can help reduce the risk of prematurity, improve fetal growth, and has long-term benefits.
How do I make physical activity a reality for me?
Exercising can be hard when we think we do not have time in our schedule or are overwhelmed, but even 15 minutes can be beneficial. Even a little bit of time for self-care and exercise can improve mood and mental well-being.
These exercises could be dancing in your living room, swimming, strength training, walking, Kegel exercises, or water aerobics. Make sure you drink plenty of water and stay hydrated. Pick an activity that you enjoy.
Some resources to use at home or in the community:
- Prenatal Home Yoga Video
- Walking:
- Burmill Park
- 5834 Bur-Mill Club Rd, Greensboro, NC 27410
- Downtown Greenway Morehead Park Trail
- 475 Spring Garden St, Greensboro, NC 27401
- Fisher’s Park
- 700 N. Elm St., Greensboro, NC 27401
- Burmill Park
- Local Classes
Disclaimers: Talk with your doctor. If dizzy or lightheaded, stop. Try to avoid laying on your back, and make sure that you feel safe in the space that you are being active.
Learn More: Postpartum Resources from the MayoClinic
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