Pregnancy exercise benefits

Pregnancy exercise benefits

Summary

The benefits of exercise during pregnancy are well documented. Numerous studies demonstrate a positive effect on both an expectant mum’s health and her baby’s health. Pregnancy exercise does much more than improve a mother’s well-being – it can aid the development of your baby’s heart and brain too. If you’re struggling to find motivation, these facts about the benefits of pregnancy exercise may help get you started.

Why exercise in pregnancy?

For mum

The benefits of exercise during pregnancy are becoming increasingly evident. Pregnancy exercise can improve an expectant mum’s experience of pregnancy in many ways. Studies show that exercising mothers:

Experience less lower back pain, pregnancy constipation and tiredness
Are 30% less likely to develop gestational diabetes
Are less likely to need an unplanned caesarean
Experience fewer incidences and reduced severity of depression
Gain less weight during pregnancy
Are less likely to develop urinary incontinence
Have reduced incidents of pregnancy constipation
Less pregnancy tiredness
May have shorter labour

For baby

The benefits for your baby could last them a lifetime. Babies born to mothers who exercise in pregnancy are more likely to:

Develop a healthier heart with a lower resting heart rate after birth
Be born at what is considered a ‘normal’ birth weight, rather than overweight
Be born with more mature brains and are quicker to develop neurologically
Experience a reduced risk of respiratory distress at birth (if born to high-risk mothers)
Less maternal stress could reduce impact on immune system development

If you’re feeling motivated then get going! Just be sure to speak to your doctor or midwife before you begin.