WeMoms
2 Apr 2024

Exercising In Early Pregnancy

Pregnancy
Pregnancy health
Exercising in Early Pregnancy
Let's explore the benefits of exercising in early pregnancy and some guidelines to follow for a safe and effective workout routine.
Benefits of Exercising in Early Pregnancy
  1. Boosts Energy Levels: Regular physical activity can help combat fatigue and boost your energy levels, reducing the common early pregnancy symptom of tiredness.
  2. Improves Mood: Exercise releases endorphins, which can enhance your mood, reduce stress, and alleviate symptoms of mood swings and anxiety that may occur during early pregnancy.
  3. Promotes Healthy Weight Management: Staying active during pregnancy can help manage weight gain within healthy limits, reducing the risk of complications such as gestational diabetes and hypertension.
  4. Enhances Cardiovascular Health: Exercise strengthens your heart and improves circulation, supporting a healthy cardiovascular system for both you and your baby.
  5. Aids in Digestion and Constipation Relief: Physical activity helps stimulate digestion and can alleviate common pregnancy discomforts such as constipation.
  6. Prepares Your Body for Labor: Strengthening your muscles and maintaining flexibility through exercise can help prepare your body for the physical demands of labor and childbirth.
Guidelines for Exercising in Early Pregnancy
  1. Consult with Your Healthcare Provider: Before starting or continuing an exercise routine, consult with your healthcare provider. They can assess your individual health status and provide specific recommendations based on your medical history and the progression of your pregnancy.
  2. Choose Safe Activities: Opt for low-impact exercises that are gentle on your joints and accommodate your changing body. Suitable activities include walking, swimming, stationary cycling, prenatal yoga, and low-impact aerobics. Avoid contact sports, activities with a high risk of falling, or exercises that involve lying flat on your back.
  3. Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to your body's signals and adjust your workout intensity accordingly. Stay within a comfortable range and avoid pushing yourself to exhaustion or overexertion.
  4. Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water before, during, and after exercise to stay hydrated and maintain optimal body temperature.
  5. Wear Comfortable Clothing and Supportive Shoes: Choose breathable, loose-fitting clothing that allows for freedom of movement. Invest in supportive shoes that provide stability and cushioning to protect your joints.
  6. Warm Up and Cool Down: Prior to exercising, warm up with gentle stretching and light cardiovascular activity. Afterward, cool down gradually with additional stretching to prevent muscle soreness and promote flexibility.
  7. Modify as Needed: As your pregnancy progresses, make appropriate modifications to your exercise routine. Adjust the intensity, duration, and type of exercises to accommodate your changing body and any discomfort or limitations you may experience.
  8. Pay Attention to Warning Signs: Stop exercising and seek medical attention if you experience any warning signs such as vaginal bleeding, dizziness, chest pain, shortness of breath, or contractions.
Remember to consult with your healthcare provider for personalized recommendations and to ensure that exercise is suitable for your specific pregnancy journey.
Embrace the opportunity to prioritize your physical well-being and enjoy the many positive effects that exercise can have on your pregnancy experience.
More info
Safe exercise routines
1 min read
L
Lola
10 Nov 2023

Anyone else have gestational diabetes? What do you do to manage it? Exercising helps they say, but I already can’t breath normally. I breath like a cow. 🥲

Pregnancy Pregnancy health
3 comments
M
Monica
Same here plus my leg isn’t all the way together from being broken last year…they told me to change my diet basically no carbs or sugars and gotta measure stuff…I start my insulin today and I so don’t wanna stick myself with no needle in my stomach
27 Mar 2024

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L
Lola
I’m so sorry. I’m waiting for my results. Went in for a three hours glucose test. Fingers crossed.
27 Mar 2024

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N
Natasha
2 Oct 2023

Okay so, is it just me or did anyone else envision their pregnancy going a bit differently? Here I thought I would be exercising and stuff (trying to keep cute), but between this pelvic pain and pressure, I could barely get up and walk straight, let alone exercise.

Pregnancy Pregnancy health
1 comments
J
Jenn123
That is so me, it’s hard to go for a walk in my neighborhood every afternoon, the thing is baby boy kept kicking me in my belly button and ribs so it’s uncomfortable to walk str8🤔🤔
27 Mar 2024

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K
Keena
6 Sep 2023

Currently 38 weeks pregnant and still only 1cm dilated 😫 any advice how to get things moving along I’ve been doing so much walking and exercising

Pregnancy Pregnancy health
4 comments
A
Amber
Girl I feel ya!! I'm only 2.5cm dilated now. I was 2cm weeks ago. I've been drinking Raspberry leaf tea and it doesn't seem to be helping much.. I get induced next Wednesday but I want this boy out as he is more than ready!
27 Mar 2024

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J
Jessa
Drink a lot of pineapple juice. It will help you open your cervix and go to labor easily. That works for me on my 1st baby
27 Mar 2024

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K
Kelcie
11 Oct 2022

Safe and helpful pregnancy exercises? All I wanna do is sit around im so out of shape and I don’t want something to happen to my baby because I wanted to be lazy. I start work next week but I still feel like a slug😮‍💨

Pregnancy Pregnancy health
4 comments
R
Rebekah
Walking is always good.
27 Mar 2024

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K
Kelcie
I love walking especially in this weather I need to find a walking buddy
27 Mar 2024

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B
Brittany
31 Jul 2022

So I don't really exercise but now with being pregnant, I want to start some light exercise. Where should I start?

Pregnancy Pregnancy health
4 comments
C
Cyrina
With your OB. You want to ensure that nothing is going to harm you or the baby ESPECIALLY since you didn’t before. Most of the time it is okay though it’s just the safety measure so they can tell you what’s acceptable and what’s not
27 Mar 2024

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S
Sydni
I've been walking to the treadmill 3-5x a week for 15 min building up to 30 min
27 Mar 2024

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h
hayley
1 Jun 2022

wanna start exercising but i never even did before i got pregnant so i don’t wanna hurt myself or the baby

Pregnancy Pregnancy health
8 comments
B
Blocked user
This is the most precious time for the baby to grow in your first trimester you need to be relaxing not working out
27 Mar 2024

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S
Summer
You can do light exercise like talking walks or prenatal yoga. Just nothing too strenuous
27 Mar 2024

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N
N
11 Jan 2022

TMI Anybody else feel constipated and gassy in early pregnancy? I'm 4 weeks, 4 days today.

Pregnancy Pregnancy health
0 comments
H
Hannah
Me. 👋 I’m either constipated or running to the bathroom, there’s no middle ground for me lol and yeah I thank the stars when my boyfriend goes to work..😂
27 Mar 2024

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N
N
lol sameee. It's either when he's asleep or working. I'm never gassy like the way I am all the time now 😩
27 Mar 2024

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