If your first thought after finding out about your pregnancy was, “now I get to sit around and eat raw cookie dough all day while watching TV!” you may be in for a bit of a surprise, and not just because eating raw cookie dough is a really bad idea.
As long as your healthcare provider says it’s safe, getting plenty of exercise while pregnant is incredibly important for your health as well as Baby’s, and tracking your activity can help you make sure that you’re getting enough to foster a happy and healthy pregnancy.
Activity and you
It might seem odd because pregnant women can expect to gain between 15-40 lbs. throughout the course of the nine months, but staying active is even more important when pregnant. In fact, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that all moms-to-be get about 30 minutes of activity each day.
Getting sufficient activity during pregnancy will not only help you keep your weight gain to within a recommended level and assist in the prevention and treatment of pregnancy symptoms like stretch marks, fatigue, and swollen ankles, but may also decrease the risk of developing gestational diabetes and preeclampsia, among other dangerous pregnancy complications.
Staying in good physical shape will also help prepare your body for the tremendous stress delivery will bring, and will help make your pregnancy pounds slip right off after you give birth.
Tracking your activity can help you establish a pattern between the amount of exercise you’re getting, and any symptoms you may notice, so you’ll be able to make adjustments as needed. Tracking will also help you monitor your general health, which can be one of the most accurate indicators of how well your pregnancy is progressing.
Activity and baby
Baby is totally dependent on you while they're living in them amniotic bubble, so your health affects them more than you’d know!
When you exercise to temper your weight gain, you’re also helping to ensure that Baby’s weight remains within a healthy level, as both too high, and too low of a birth weight can be dangerous for them (and you).
Exercise is very beneficial for your overall health, and the healthier you are, the healthier Baby will be. Your body can operate at a higher level of performance when you stay active, and will therefore be able to take care of them better. Exercise also helps moms-to-be deal with stress and feelings of depression, both of which are great risk factors for babies.
Tracking your activity with Ovia can help you understand when you might need to make an adjustment in your exercise regimen, both for your sake and Baby‘s.
Reviewed by Dr. Jamie Lo
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Sources
- “Weight Gain During Pregnancy: Number 548.” ACOG. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 1/13/2015. Web.
- Committee on Obstetric Practice. “Exercise During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period: Committee Opinion Number 267.” ACOG. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 1/2/2015. Web.
- “Preeclampsia and High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy: FAQ034.” ACOG. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 9/14/2015. Web.
- “Gestational Diabetes: FAQ177.” ACOG. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 9/13/2015. Web.
