Keisha Shakespeare-Blackmore, Staff Reporter
Sharon McConnell, managing director of Shakti Yoga Centre, practising yoga during her pregnancy. - CONTRIBUTED
CONTRARY TO earlier beliefs, pregnant women no longer have to spend their nine months resting. In fact, it was believed that women could lose the baby by exercising. However, recent studies have shown that exercising during pregnancy is beneficial.
Dr. Errol Daley, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Gynae Associates in Kingston and Portmore, said exercise during pregnancy is not harmful. He added that unless the woman has risk factors such as, history of pre-termed labour, vaginal bleeding, or premature rupture of the baby (leaking fluid for the baby), it is safe to exercise. Exercise, he noted, aids in the labour and delivery process.
YOGA
Sharon McConnell, managing director at Shakti Yoga Centre, said she exercised throughout her entire pregnancy. She practised yoga primarily, body sculpting using a medicine ball and light weights and did a lot of walking. She said exercising made her pregnancy much easier and made her strong. It also helped to relieve stress and facilitated an easier delivery. She had a natural birth.
Having exercised throughout her pregnancy, Mrs. McConnell told Flair she was was back to pre-pregnancy weight after six weeks. In fact, she she did not gain much weight to begin with, just the recommended 25 pounds. Additionally, exercising during pregnancy helps with the abs after birth. And mother is able to take of herself so she can take care of others.
BENEFITS OF EXERCISE DURING PREGNANCY:
Dr. Daley shared some of the benefits a woman may gain through exercise during pregnancy:
Reduces back ache
Reduces constipation
Reduces bloating swelling
Reduces gestation diabetes (only occurs during pregnancy)
Increases energy
Improves mood
Improves posture
Promotes muscle tone and strength.
Allows better sleep
Joints becomes more mobile
Helps with balance and heart rate.
TYPES OF EXERCISES FOR PREGNANCY:
Dr. Daley said not all pregnant women can do every exercise but there are some that are useful. Choose safe exercises that involve lying on the back. Don't do anything that leads to discomfort. These include:
Brisk walking
Swimming
Cycling
Aerobics (keeps the heart rate strong and helps with breathing)
If there are no complications, then do some running, play tennis and badminton.
Netball, football, gymnastics and horseback riding are not recommended. It is possible to fall doing the latter.
PRECAUTION WHEN EXERCISING
The doctor advises that if you experience any of the following ailments while exercising , stop and see your doctor.
Dizziness, feeling faint, shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle weakness, headache, calf pain or swelling, increased movement of the baby or fluid leaking from vagina.
