Pregnancy Do’s & Don’ts

Pregnant women exercise too!

Congratulations you’re pregnant! This is a crucial time for your body – it’s about to go through major change. If you have been exercising regularly, now is NOT the time to suddenly stop. The fitter you are before childbirth, the better-equipped your body will be to handling the stresses of labour. So here are some tips to bear in mind for your exercise sessions:

DO:
- Exercise regularly at a moderate intensity
- Aim for low-impact activities that will have less effect on your joints – swimming, aqua-aerobics, cycling, walking.
- Wear airy clothing when exercising. It is vital that you do not overheat the foetus by increasing your body temperature too much.

DON’T:
- Overstretch. Relaxin – a chemical released in your body after the first trimester – relaxes your joints in preparation for childbirth. So stretching too far could lead to something popping out – and I don’t mean your baby!
- Restrict your calorie intake. You should be eating around 300 extra calories a day in the first trimester and 500 more a day by the third.
- Lie on your back. Any exercises involving lying on your back will have to wait until after the baby is born.