Prenatal Fitness 101

June 12, 2015, 8:01 pm

Congratulations on your new baby! Have some concerns about health and fitness? The following may help you learn more about the benefits of prenatal exercises and gives step-by-step workout examples to get you started.

1. Fight pregnancy fatigue. Low-level tiredness plagues many women during the first trimester, then again late in the third trimester. It seems paradoxical, but sometimes getting too much rest can actually make you feel more pooped. And while you should never push yourself too hard when you're pregnant — and especially when you're feeling fatigued — a little nudge can make a big difference in your pregnancy energy level. So take baby steps — go for an easy walk or pop in a pregnancy exercise video. You'll be surprised at how peppy you feel afterward.
2. Improve your sleep during pregnancy. While many pregnant women report that they have a harder time falling asleep (not to mention staying asleep with all the bathroom interruptions), those who exercise consistently (as long as it's not near bedtime, which can be too energizing) say the quality of their sleep is better and that they wake up feeling more rested.
3. Conquer pregnancy constipation. An active body encourages active bowels. Some women swear by a brisk 30-minute walk to keep them regular, others say even a ten-minute stroll helps get things going.
4. Do pregnancy back exercises. Back pain affects half of all pregnant women — and your best defense is a strong set of abs. Do simple pregnancy-safe exercises to strengthen your abs — which will give your back the back-up it needs. (See Pregnancy Workouts for exercises that work for you.) But don't stop there. Even exercise that's not directly targeting the tummy — a short walk to the post office — can also relieve pain and pressure.
5. Don't worry, be happy. Exercise causes your brain to release endorphins, those feel-good chemicals that give a natural high — improving your mood, diminishing feelings of worry and anxiety.
6. Do pregnancy stretches. It's not a stretch — stretching does your body good, and you don't even have to break a sweat. This is especially true if you've been troubled by muscle cramps — particularly in your leg. Stretching out (flexing your toes up instead of pointing down) can help you uncover little pockets of tension, warding off cramps and sore muscles. Stretch after your exercise routine, but also stretch at your desk (especially if you've been sitting or standing for a long time), in the car or airplane, and always before bed (particularly if nocturnal leg cramps have been cramping your sleeping style).
7. Guard against gestational diabetes. Exercise may prevent this common problem, and the American Diabetes Association recommends exercise as a helpful therapy for women who are at risk. If that's you, don't be surprised if your practitioner is even more gung ho about prescribing a workout routine.
8. Make a healthy baby. Babies of moms who exercise during pregnancy are born at healthier weights, are better able to weather labor and delivery (they are less stressed by it), and recover from the stresses of birth more quickly.
9. Have an easier labor (possibly). While exercise during pregnancy can't guarantee that you'll sail through childbirth, moms who exercise tend to have shorter labors and are less likely to need medical interventions during labor (including C-sections).
10. Speed your postpartum recovery. The more you increase your pregnancy fitness, the faster you'll recover physically after childbirth, the more fit you'll be after delivery — and the sooner you'll be zipping up those pre-pregnancy jeans again.

Weekly Prenatal Exercise Routine:

[ ] Monday: 20 to 30 minutes of cardio activity, such as walking, light jogging (if performed prior to pregnancy), or swimming

[ ] Tuesday: Core work*
[ ] Wednesday: 20 to 30 minutes of cardio activity

[ ] Thursday: Upper and lower body strength training*

[ ] Friday: 20 to 30 minutes of cardio activity

[ ] Saturday: Core work, upper and lower strength training
*See exercises below

Core Exercises

Clams

Start by lying on your side with your hips stacked and both legs bent, knees pointing forward. Place your left arm on the floor with your left ear resting on your biceps. With your toes together, lift your right knee without changing your hip position, and exhale, drawing your abs toward your spine. Slowly return to starting position. Do 10 to 15 reps; then switch sides.

Toe Dips

If you’re in your first trimester, start by lying on your back. Otherwise, sit in a chair or lie on the floor with two pillows elevating your upper body. Bend your legs into a tabletop position with your shins parallel to the ceiling (if you’re in a chair, keep them parallel to the wall, feet lifted) and your arms at your sides. Exhale, drawing in your abs, and gently dip the right foot toward the floor; then repeat with the left foot. Do 10 reps per leg.

Upper and Lower Body Exercise

Squats With Triceps Extension
Start by holding a pair of 5- to 8-pound dumbbells with your arms at your sides and feet shoulder-width apart. Squat, keeping your weight centered over your heels, and simultaneously do biceps curls with both arms. Do 10 reps.

Lunges With Shoulder Rises

Start with the right leg in front and the left leg back, balancing on the ball of your left foot, hips facing forward. Keep your arms bent at your sides with your body slightly pitched forward at the hips. Bend both knees into a lunge and extend the elbows at the same time. Do 10 to 15 reps; then switch legs and repeat.

Plies With Reverse Fly

Start with your legs turned out at the hips, your feet pointing away from each other. Keep your elbows bent with your arms in front of your chest and your palms facing. Slightly pitch your body forward at the hips, keeping your back straight and drawing in your abs. Bend both knees into a plie and pull back the arms leading with the elbows as your draw your shoulder blades together. Extend the legs and lower your arms back to start position. Do 10 to 15 reps.

The content is not intended to be substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Cox HealthPlans website.

Sources:

• Mallet, Tracy. http://www.thebump.com/a/tool-pregnancy-workout-plan. 2015.
• http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/keeping-fit/fitness-matters/top-ten-benefits-of-exercise.aspx