Exercise And
Pregnancy
OK, let's talk about exercise and pregnancy.
Prescribing a medication for pregnant women is a complex process.
Before obstetricians and gynecologists decide which dose of which drug can best
treat a condition without putting any harmful side effects on the mother and the
baby, they consider the patient’s age, general health, the number of months
before delivery, tolerance for medications, and any other drugs the pregnant
patient may be taking.
Prescribing exercise on pregnant women has to be just as scientific and precise.
The type, intensity, frequency, and duration of a “dose” of exercise are all
critical. One person’s healthy, vigorous workout could be hazardous to another.
These dangers may be greater in pregnant women because they are more likely to
have strains and other serious side effects for the would-be mother.
However, if exercise will be implemented and carried out in a normal, average
range, exercise will not have an effect on the overall condition of the
pregnancy and especially on labor or delivery.
Pregnancy - Exercise and Pregnancy Considerations
Quality prenatal care should be given to a mother during her pregnancy. She
should be prepared for the normal delivery of a healthy baby. Complications
should be prevented at all costs.
All of these things are boiled down to the fact that a pregnant woman should be
cared in such a way that she will not be compelled to do vigorous work but
should not also stay in bed and be inactive until she gives birth to her baby.
Consequently, a pregnant woman’s condition varies in relation to the growth and
development of the baby in side her womb. Therefore, it is necessary that proper
health guidance be provided by her physician during her visit.
Moreover, it is important to keep the pregnant woman’s life active in order to
promote good health, not only for her but also for the baby most importantly.
Physical conditions like blood pressure, weight and health status is usually
monitored during the pregnant woman’s visit to her doctor. For this reason, it
is significant to note that exercise can be the number one factor in order to
keep these aspects in good condition.
As the health experts contend, adequate physical and emotional information is
needed by a pregnant woman to prepare herself for delivery. She needs practical
health messages in keeping herself and the baby healthy.
Hence, for mothers or would-be mothers who are not yet aware why they should
exert some effort in engaging into moderate, normal exercise, here is a list of
some of its benefits so that you will be able to understand the reason why
pregnant women have to exercise regularly:
Exercise and pregnancy consideration #1. Defiance against fatigue
As muscle becomes fatigued, it produces less force. To accomplish a task like
climbing the stairs, for example, or shoveling snow, more units of muscle must
be called into play to back up the wearied muscles.
The tired muscles are both less efficient and less effective. Hence, this will
just put more strain on the pregnant woman because of the weight that is
continuously adding up each day. That is why tired muscles will usually result
to leg cramps or sore muscles.
What every pregnant woman must know is that exercise improves the condition of
the muscles and their ability to work longer without fatigue.
Exercise and pregnancy consideration #2. Reduce backaches
Even when you sit or stand, some muscles are working, and such relatively easy
postures can tax some muscles and cause fatigue. The muscles of the lower back,
for example, can be exhausted and worn out by the effort of keeping erect when a
pregnant woman stand still for several hours.
With exercise, a pregnant woman can correct this error by developing her
posture.
Exercise and pregnancy consideration #3. Increase the amount of oxygen
Work and exercise rely on glycogen, a substance produced by the body from
complex carbohydrates and stored muscles and liver. The supply of glycogen in
the muscles determines and limits the duration of activity. Exercise depletes
the glycogen in the muscles and leads to tiredness.
However, when glycogen is depleted by strenuous activity, it is replaced in
quantities greater than before, as if the body recognized the need to lay in a
larger supply of fuel.
Hence, oxidation is essential for converting glycogen to the energy that
pregnant women need to wiggle a finger, flex a muscle, or practice the lungs and
heart for some blowing action during normal delivery.
These are just some of the many benefits exercise can bring to pregnant women.
Besides, nothing is completely wrong for a pregnant woman doing some moderate
exercises. The only important thing to remember is that before starting an
exercise program, whether pregnant or not, it is best to consult your doctor. As
they say, doctors know best! Make sure you ask your doctor about exercise and
pregnancy.*
Richard Dowell,
http://Best-Fitness-Program.com
Helping You Find Your Own Fitness Program
*Please note that my wife's daughter followed her Pilates
routine (see the Yoga Pilates page at this site)
right up until delivery and her son was just fine -- indeed five years later
perhaps a model of a healthy child today!
Permission granted to copy/reprint
this article so long as the author's credit and website link are
included.
|
