Pre and Post Natal Training
Benefits of exercise for mother and baby
At such an important time in your life, you will no doubt be anxious of any activity that may harm your baby.
You can be assured that a controlled exercise programme will not be harmful, but will be quite the opposite,
proving to be beneficial.
Participating in exercise will provide you with a variety of benefits, such as reduced pregnancy discomforts,
improved sleep, increased energy, reduction in mood swings and preparation for labour.
Weight control
Exercise is an effective way of limiting weight gain to a healthy level and prevents excess fat from being deposited by boosting your metabolism.
Fewer physical problems
The presence of common complaints of pregnancy such as lower back pain, leg or pelvic discomfort is less frequent in women who exercise as result of better posture and strengthening the abdominal muscles.
Feelings of well-being
Continuing exercise through pregnancy can help a woman to accept her changing body and be proud of her bump! In particular, women who have trained regularly before getting pregnant, feel more confident and happier if they continue to do so whilst pregnant.
Increases body awareness
This enhances the mother’s ability to relax, particularly the pelvic floor, and ease childbirth.
Labour
Women who exercise through pregnancy generally have shorter, less complicated labours and many women who
have exercised during pregnancy report afterwards that being fit made the labour easier.
Tougher babies cope better with labour
When a pregnant woman exercises her baby’s heart rate goes up and down as it adapts to the changes in oxygen
delivery across the placenta.
This puts them at an advantage during a long or complicated labour.
Post-natal recovery
Starting regular exercise shortly after giving birth has numerous physical and emotional benefits including,
reduced post-natal depression and a faster return to pregnancy weight and percent body fat.
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