Exercise: good for you and baby
Taking some regular exercise helps you feel happier as well as keeping you fit. It's an enjoyable way of getting ready for the months of change ahead.Every time you exercise within your limits, your baby gets a surge of oxygen into her blood that sets her metabolism alight and gives her a real high. All her tissues, especially her brain, function on top form.
Good for you
© DK
- Hormones called endorphins, which your body releases when you exercise, will lift your spirits.
- You'll feel more contented and relaxed after you exercise as the endorphins released have a tranquillizing effect.
- Your self-awareness will improve as you learn how to use your body in new ways.
- Regular exercise helps to ease backache, leg cramp, constipation, and breathlessness.
- You'll find you have more energy.
- You'll be better prepared for the work of labour.
- After delivery you'll get your figure back more quickly.
- You'll meet other mums at antenatal exercise classes so you'll make more friends.
- Share your exercise routine with your partner or other members of your family and they'll get fitter too.
Good for your baby
- The hormones that your body releases when you exercise pass across the placenta and reach your baby. So when you start to exercise, your baby receives an emotional lift from your adrenaline.
- While you're exercising, your baby also feels the positive effect of your endorphins. These are your own natural morphine-like substances, released while exercising, that make us feel extremely good and happy.
- After exercise, endorphins have a profound tranquillizing effect that can last up to eight hours, and your baby experiences this too.
- The movements you make when you exercise are very soothing and good for your baby. She feels comforted by the rocking movements.
- As you exercise, your abdominal muscles exert a kind of massage on your baby that she'll find comforting and soothing.
- During exercise, your blood flow is at its highest and so your baby's growth and development benefit.
Posted 30.06.2010
See more in the dossier: An active pregnancy
Get more on this subject…
