Is it safe to exercise in Pregnancy? The narrative we have around physical activity and pregnancy historically is one of caution, but times are thankfully changing as research emerges. More and more research over the last 30 years are guiding us towards a paradigm shift in our thinking. Finally we can begin to move away from the above question and say with much greater confidence that for the majority of pregnant women, exercise is not ONLY safe but ESSENTIAL to maximise the health of not just the mother but of baby too!
This little gem of a book written by exercise physiologist and perinatal yoga teacher, Rehana Jawadwala, which I was recently asked to review highlights the vast benefits, considerations and methods of training throughout the trimesters and incidentally the risk of NOT exercising during pregnancy.
Did you know that 27% of women fall in pregnancy which is significantly reduced in those who regularly exercise? Or that "resistance exercise in particular has been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of gestational diabetes"? (Jawadwala, 2020).
As a Holistic Core Restore® Coach I was interested to read about the effects of pelvic floor training on reducing the number of 'pushes' during stage 2 labour, and of course the postive affects upon continence during pregnancy and post birth.
From reduced incidence of labour intervention, improved APGAR scores (a quick test that scores babies health in the minutes post birth) to a reduced need for pain releif, the benefits of exercise during pregnancy are truly endless!
But this doesn't mean we should throw ourselves into exercise without some consideration to how your body is changing and the potential adaptations to exercise that may be needed, such as for changes to balance, comfort or individual risk factors. Seeking out a prenatal exercise specialist for guidance can help to reassure and guide you.
The ultimate goal is for all those who support pregnant women such as midwifes and other health professionals to both recognise the benefits and confidently encourage physical activity to thier patients to help improve health outcomes for all women.
All pregnant women and those who support them should read this book!!
This book is available to order via the Amazon affiliate link above either as hard back or a Kindle edition.
Happy reading,
Debbie x
This little gem of a book written by exercise physiologist and perinatal yoga teacher, Rehana Jawadwala, which I was recently asked to review highlights the vast benefits, considerations and methods of training throughout the trimesters and incidentally the risk of NOT exercising during pregnancy.
Did you know that 27% of women fall in pregnancy which is significantly reduced in those who regularly exercise? Or that "resistance exercise in particular has been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of gestational diabetes"? (Jawadwala, 2020).
As a Holistic Core Restore® Coach I was interested to read about the effects of pelvic floor training on reducing the number of 'pushes' during stage 2 labour, and of course the postive affects upon continence during pregnancy and post birth.
From reduced incidence of labour intervention, improved APGAR scores (a quick test that scores babies health in the minutes post birth) to a reduced need for pain releif, the benefits of exercise during pregnancy are truly endless!
But this doesn't mean we should throw ourselves into exercise without some consideration to how your body is changing and the potential adaptations to exercise that may be needed, such as for changes to balance, comfort or individual risk factors. Seeking out a prenatal exercise specialist for guidance can help to reassure and guide you.
The ultimate goal is for all those who support pregnant women such as midwifes and other health professionals to both recognise the benefits and confidently encourage physical activity to thier patients to help improve health outcomes for all women.
All pregnant women and those who support them should read this book!!
This book is available to order via the Amazon affiliate link above either as hard back or a Kindle edition.
Happy reading,
Debbie x
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