Walking is the best exercise to stay fit during pregnancy. Have a quick look at the health benefits which pregnant women can enjoy by taking up walking during pregnancy.Thinking whether to take up walking during pregnancy? Do not worry; just go out for a walk. Walking is one of the best cardiovascular exercises, no matter what is your size or shape, and you cannot ignore the benefits walking offers when you are pregnant. You should start walking slowly if you have never walked regularly before, building up to a brisk 20 minute walk. If you are not doing any other pregnancy exercises, you can walk for 20 minutes twice a day. Do discuss your fitness regimen with you obstetrician.
If you were already walking before your pregnancy, then you can continue walking until
delivery. You can take up any activity when your muscles are strong. Make a schedule in your daily routine to enjoy walking – the benefits are invaluable.
Walking Boosts Your Energy
To boost your flagging energy during
pregnancy, you should start walking. Pregnancy can make you feel really tired and lethargic. It may seem as if moving when you are exhausted can make you more exhausted, it is the opposite. A brisk 20 minute walk can not only increases energy, but keeps you energized for longer hours, and when you continue walking daily, it lifts up overall energy levels along with your mood.
Walking Helps You Get Better Sleep
If you are fighting for your sleep, then you should walk every day. If you are finding it challenging to find a comfortable position to sleep, then also you should take up walking. Walking does wonder when you are pregnant. It works off all your excess energy, and lulls you into
restful sleep. Studies show that pregnant mothers who walk regularly sleep much sooner and better.
Overall Health Improvement, Ease in Delivery
Walking promotes circulation to the whole body and strengthens your important abdominal muscles. This helps you to cope up with lots of aches and pains. Walking regularly helps you to stay strong and have lots of endurance when it is
labour time. Labour may be much easier and shorter for you if you practice walking every day during your pregnancy.
Get Rid of Baby Fat
Walking keeps you fit. It helps you to get rid of extra baby weight as walking burns calories and prevent excess
weight gain that is not needed for your pregnancy. Walking also offers protection from gestational diabetes and preeclampsia.
Other Reasons of Walking
Apart from the above-mentioned benefits, walking helps you in few more cases when you are pregnant:
- It eases constipation – an active body encourages active bowels; a brisk 20-minute walk or even a 10-minute stroll can do wonder
- It boosts your confidence – you get to move out of your house, meet new people while walking, all that builds more confidence in you
- It speeds up post-partum recovery – the regularly you walk, the sooner you can fit into your pre-pregnancy clothes again after delivery
- It keeps you happy and optimistic – walking helps release endorphins, those feel-good chemicals, that lifts your mood, keeps you happy, and makes you feel positive
- It makes a healthy baby – walk regularly to have babies who are healthier in weight and who recover birth stresses easily
Keep It Safe
You should enjoy walking, but never overdo it. Never walk to the point of breathlessness that can cause limit your body’s oxygen usage that should be going to your baby, which can be fatal. Do not walk to the point of exhaustion – this is not the time to push your body off its limits. If you experience vaginal bleeding, calf pain or swelling, dizziness or difficulty breathing, premature contractions, abnormally rapid heartbeat, or leaking of fluid, stop walking immediately and call your doctor. Most women do not face any difficulty while walking, but you can always reach out to your doctor if you have any doubts.
Which health benefits can pregnant women enjoy through walking? Can walking cause any health risk to pregnant women? Is it necessary to do other exercises if pregnant women take up walking? Discuss here.