If you are able to keep mobile when you are pregnant, then keeping yourself fit and healthy is essential.
With the risk of gaining weight and increased blood pressure during pregnancy, there are forms of exercise that you can do which will not only keep you healthy but also cut your stress levels during this important time.
Walking is an ideal form of exercise during pregnancy.
It keeps you fit, increases your heart rate to an aerobic level and reduces your stress levels without putting too much strain on your body.
When you are pregnant your body produces a hormone called Relaxin which relaxes the ligaments in your body in preparation for birth.
Though is relaxation is mainly focused on the pelvic region, most women do experience more flexibility during their pregnancy than they have before.
This flexibility means that your tendons are not in a position to support your skeleton as much as they normally do which means that you have to be very careful that any exercise that you do does not put pressure on a frame that is not as solid as usual.
That is why walking can be the ideal exercise.
Not only is it a great way to see your local area but if you take a friend along with you to motivate you and keep you company, it is also a great excuse for a good gossip.
If you are considering walking or any other form of exercise during pregnancy, make sure that you consult your GP or Midwife to make sure that the exercise you have chosen is suitable for you and then, when you are exercising, make sure you keep a constant watch to make sure that you are comfortable and under no strain during your exercise.
It is ideal to take someone with you when you go walking both for company and motivation, but if this is not possible make sure that someone knows what route you are taking or that you have a mobile phone with you so that you can be found should you need to be.
Make sure that you are fully hydrated before, during and after your exercise and that you have enough energy.
Ideally take some water and a snack with you in case you feel the need during your walk but be careful with how much you are carrying.
As we have stated, your body is more prone to stress when you are pregnant than at any other time, so you need to make sure that you are not putting pressure on your body by carrying too much weight.
Make sure that anything you do carry is spread across your body evenly by placing them in a back pack or bum bag rather than a shopping bag or handbag that will put pressure on one shoulder.
And most importantly when you are going exercise, make sure that you are supporting both your body and your baby sufficiently to reduce the pressure on your body.
A good maternity belt will lift the weight of your bump from your pelvis and distribute it around your body so that you can relax and enjoy your exercise.
Keeping fit and healthy will not only improve your physical performance but will also make you feel better in yourself.
While you are exercising your body reduces endorphins that make you feel happier and the exercise that you do will encourage you to sleep better which will also improve your overall well-being.
So put your trainers on and hit the streets.
If nothing else it will be good practice for when the pram arrives!