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Walking is one of the best exercises that will help to keep you healthy and fit. So walking when you are pregnant has umpteen benefits provided the doctor has given you the green signal for it. Given below are some amazing benefits of walking during pregnancy.
Walking can keep you healthy and fit. Staying fit and active is beneficial for both the pregnant woman and her baby. Walking is one of the best cardiovascular exercise and pregnancy is the time to take advantage of it. Also, it keeps you fit without any additional cost and does not require any special equipment. It’s also a safe activity to continue throughout your pregnancy as long as you don’t go overboard with it and you get a green signal from your doctor. Walking is one of the easiest ways to start exercising if you haven’t been active prior to your pregnancy.
If you are physically active and regularly exercising or going on walks pre-pregnancy, then continue doing so. But if you are just beginning to walk, begin with walking around 15 to 30 minutes three times in a week and slowly stretch it to around an hour almost every day if possible. This can be continued up to the final stage of pregnancy as long as you don’t find it uncomfortable. NHS guidelines recommend that a pregnant woman can walk for 150 minutes a week (Source
Walking is a great exercise during the first trimester of pregnancy as it helps prepare the body to deal with all the changes that occur during pregnancy and prepare your body for labor and birth. It also helps to avert pregnancy related complications. So being on your feet from the very beginning of pregnancy is the best thing you can do. But do check with your doctor and seek his permission before starting to walk during pregnancy.
The second trimester is the time when you feel more energetic and walking become easier than the first trimester. This is the time when you can increase the duration and distance you walk.
During the third trimester, your center of gravity will change with your growing belly. You will feel tired soon so keep up with your walking routine. Do only what is comfortable.
Given below are some simple tips that will help to ensure that you get maximum benefits from this form of exercise:
Walking is a natural way to induce labor. Being upright helps to move your baby down along the cervix. Walking also helps to apply rhythmic pressure of the baby’s head on the cervix. This helps the cervix to release oxytocin hormone which can trigger contractions.
Also, if your baby’s head is not engaged, walking can help to move the baby into a better position. This means the chances of labor to start on its own also increases. Also, if you are in active labor, walking around can help to progress your labor.
Walking is one of the best exercises that you can comfortably do during pregnancy. It is not in any way bad if you walk too much during pregnancy. But make sure you do not push yourself too much. Just walk what is comfortable for you. If you were not active before you conceived, then indulge in walking slowly. Staying active during pregnancy is good for both you and your baby. Do consult your doctor before you start with walking during pregnancy.
Your body will indicate if you are pushing yourself too hard. Walking becomes unsafe and you require immediate medical attention if you experience any of the below symptoms:
And suppose you already have an earlier history of heart complications, increased blood pressure, previous history of miscarriages, it is best that you get your doctor’s permission before you begin walking regularly.
So once you get the go-ahead signal from your doctor for walking during pregnancy, make this a routine as walking will surely benefit you as well as the baby growing within you.
Did you walk during pregnancy? How did it benefit you? Do share it in the comments section below.
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