Pregnancy and exercise

Any woman who knows what it feels like to be pregnant also knows that it’s never a nice feeling nor is it ever comfortable. During the course of a woman’s pregnancy, many women will experience physiological changes to their body, where such changes are needed and are seen and treated as normal. Every woman who is pregnant often reacts differently to their pregnancy thus various changes will always differ overtime. Having a better understanding of these changes will no doubt help assist in coping with them as well. Pregnancy involves all aspects of growth, development and many challenges, preparing the mother for a new born, labor as well as preparing the fetus for development. Such changes can be on going and be for the best of the mother and unborn child. With there being such a strong link between exercise and pregnancy, a woman knows just how important it is to stay fit and be active every day (while pregnant), in order to better themselves, their bodies, their unborn and even their lifestyle. As every individual has their thoughts on exercising whilst pregnant, many don’t seem to see the true positives that are on offer. With this all being said, in the paragraphs to follow, there will be the mentioning of some of the various physiological changes that take place, the relationship between pregnancy and exercise as well as the various considerations needed when exercising, whilst a woman is pregnant.

As we know, when I woman becomes pregnant, the body often needs to adjust and change accordingly in order to fully accommodate the development of the fetus for at least nine months. Not only do these changes help assist in the development of the fetus but such changes also offer nutritional benefits as well as other benefits, pro...

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...ity of the ankles (Sports Medicine Australia 2009). It is also noted that there will also be the increase in resting heart rate, due to the heart now working harder, transporting blood to the mother as well as fetus (increase in blood volume). The decrease in blood pressure, is often recognizable within the second trimester, simply because there is a development in blood vessels, which are needed to supply the placenta – this causing the decrease in blood pressure. With this being said, this all links up to the changes in blood volume (increase) and VO2 max. As the pregnancy develops and progresses, one will often find that the transporting the oxygen also improves, hence due to the oxygen levels increasing or improving, this simply means that oxygen to other parts of the body (muscles) will increase too, all designed to meet what is needed of the growing fetus.