Running and exercising regularly is perfectly alright for pregnant women. In fact, experts encourage women to continue or take up exercising even during their pregnancy.
Female athletes, who still train and compete in sports events while pregnant, are the perfect example of this. Kari Bo, a professor from the Norwegian School of Sports Sciences, said exercising during pregnancy doesn't have negative repercussions to both the mother and the fetus, BBC reported. These mothers do not have high risks of difficult pregnancies and birth defects as well.
According to Bo, athletic women have excellent blood circulation. With this good blood distribution brought upon by frequent exercising, the fetus and the placenta becomes healthier.
The National Health Service in England also advised women to continue exercising even when they get pregnant, but they should ensure that the exercise routines are still safe and aren't that vigorous. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, meanwhile, said pregnant women should undergo aerobic and strength workouts because it lowers the risk of diabetes and improves mental health.
Listen To Your Body
Despite the benefits of exercise, Bo warned that it's better for pregnant women to stop a physical activity if it doesn't feel right. Some women stay away from exercising because they feel the fetus moving more actively inside their wombs, which can be uncomfortable for the mother.
Bo noted that women in the first trimester of their pregnancy (12 weeks) should avoid having high body temperatures as well. Wearing light clothes, exercising in air-conditioned rooms and forgoing exercise during hot days will help.
Physical Activities Pregnant Women Should Avoid
Dr. Aaron Baggish, director of the Cardiovascular Performance Program at the Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Center, told CBS News women shouldn't improve their athletic performance while they're pregnant, but pregnancy can be a time when ladies maintain their physical fitness. Baggish, however, cautioned pregnant women against hot Pilates, hot yoga, snow skiing, water skiing, surfing, gymnastics, off-road cycling and horseback riding.
These activities have high risks of falling down that can harm the fetus. Bo also advised pregnant women against scuba diving, and sports like football or hockey where collision is always a possibility.
Baggish said pregnant women who exercise regularly have healthier babies and easier deliveries. They also have higher chances of delivering vaginally instead of C-sections.
However, exercising may not be suitable for all pregnant women. They should stop exercising and consult their doctors if they experience vaginal bleeding, headache, calf pain or swelling, dizziness and shortness of breath before starting their exercise routines.
