Key Tips for Staying Fit During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is not just the beginning of a new stage in a woman’s life, but also one of the most memorable and exciting experiences. Generally, women undergo a lot of physical changes throughout their pregnancy, including weight gain. However, gaining too much weight can lead to complications like premature birth, obesity during childhood, and C-section delivery. Exercising and staying fit is essential for a healthy pregnancy and childbirth.

Here are the tips to stay fit during pregnancy:

Exercising during pregnancy provides extensive benefits to your body and mind. Low-intensity workouts like swimming, walking, and jogging are safe and suitable for pregnancy. Avoid high-intensity exercises and training with heavyweights. Prenatal pilates, including pelvic floor exercises, is mostly recommended for pregnant women. Make sure your physician is aware of your exercise routine.

Whether you are a first-time mom or had children before, listening to your body is essential. As every pregnancy is different, exploring how to stay fit or following some tips from your last pregnancy may help you cope with the upcoming pregnancy changes. You might feel more tired during the first trimester and then get better in the second trimester. Therefore, listen to your body to achieve a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy.

Pregnancy cravings can be tough to deal with, especially when you long for juicy cheeseburgers, pizza, and other fatty foods. However, focus on the nutrients that your body needs. Eat foods that are rich in core nutrients and minerals, including folate, calcium, and iron.

Avoid sugary foods and beverages, especially in your second trimester, as it can harm your child’s intelligence and memory. Additionally, limit your caffeine and alcohol intake and refrain from smoking to ensure a healthy pregnancy. Also, be careful about any prescription and OTC medicines you take. Discuss with your doctor about the food items that you should avoid during pregnancy and also about all the medications that you may be taking or may need to avoid.

Stretching helps combat cramps and muscle pain and helps with posture, allowing more space for your baby to develop. It is good to include prenatal yoga in your daily plan.

Stay Hydrated

Water has a significant role in your pregnancy, from combating bloating and constipation to carrying nutrients and oxygen to your baby. Staying hydrated keeps your energy levels up and help you stay active all through the day.

Limit your exposure to insecticides, pesticides, and repellents. Using these occasionally may not be problematic, but high exposure to these may cause premature delivery, congenital disabilities, and even miscarriage. Also, be careful with other household chemicals like paint thinners, oven cleaners, varnish removers, air fresheners, and aerosols because some of these could affect your pregnancy. Check the labels of such products before use to ensure they are safe to use during pregnancy.

• Exercise
• Listen to Your Body
• Follow a Healthy Diet and Understand Your Cravings
• Follow a Daily Stretching Routine with Your Exercise Plan
• Limit Exposure to Harsh Chemicals

In addition to following these tips, keep yourself positive and happy during your pregnancy as much as possible, as it positively impacts your baby's development.

If you are looking for a pregnancy care clinic near you, schedule an appointment with us. At North Atlanta Women's Care, we are committed to providing the best possible pregnancy care and delivery services.