If you are pregnant or just had a baby then firstly I would like to congratulate you. This is the biggest, most important event that is likely to happen in your life. With that in mind it goes without saying you will want to do everything you can to optimise yours and your baby's health.
So I am sure you want to know whether you should exercise during and after pregnancy?
For the majority of women, exercising during pregnancy will be extremely beneficial. It will help alleviate many of the symptoms that may occur whilst pregnant such as back ache and varicose veins. It will help to increase endurance levels for labour, improve recovery rate from labour, give a quicker return to pre pregnancy weight, stamina, strength and flexibility.
There are, however, some things that need to be taken into consideration, such as how the body reacts to certain changes that happen during pregnancy. Hormones are released into the body to make childbirth easier, joints become more flexible and care needs to be taken not to overload these areas.
It is important that if you decide to use a personal trainer, they are qualified in this field or at very least, well read on the subject. I took the time to get my qualification in this because I realise how precious an addition of a child is.
There are reasons why some women should not exercise during their pregnancy;
IUGR (Intra Urine Growth Retardation)
Multiple births (twins / triplets)
Incompetent cervix
Pre eclampsia toxaemia
Severe anaemia
Placenta praevia
History of pre term labour
Rupture of membrains
If you are unaware if any of these things are a problem for you, please check with your GP or midwife.
Post Natal
The immediate post natal period is 0 - 6 weeks. All mothers should undergo a post natal check at approx 6 weeks by their GP or Midwife to ascertain that they are healing and recovering without complications. Therefore exercise is not advised until the all clear from the post natal check is given.