Exercise and Pregnancy
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists states that:
Regular exercise during pregnancy benefits you and your fetus in these key ways:
Reduces back pain
Eases constipation
May decrease your risk of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and cesarean birth
Promotes healthy weight gain during pregnancy
Improves your overall fitness and strengthens your heart and blood vessels
Helps you to lose the baby weight after your baby is born
It also states that exercise does not increase your risk for adverse effects such as miscarriage, low birth weight, or preterm delivery.
Throughout pregnancy your body experiences dramatic changes not only physiologically as you create another person, but structurally as well. A few of those changes include:
-increased hip external rotation
-increased lumbar lordosis (arch in lower back)
-increase in rounding of shoulders forward
-increased laxity of ligaments throughout the body due to the hormone relaxin
All of the above listed changes can lead to pain and an increase in your overall discomfort throughout pregnancy.
While general exercise provides many benefits to the mom and fetus, exercising at The Studio during your pregnancy will provide you a more specialized support system and specific benefits to prevent the above listed negative changes.
The Studio begins to provide modifications for pregnant clients as soon as they request or need and at the latest 20 weeks of pregnancy. These modifications include positioning techniques to avoid pressure on abdomen and reduce the risk for diastasis recti.
We incorporate specific strengthening exercise to:
-promote a neutral posture (reduce hip ER, reduce lordosis, and decrease rounding of shoulders)
-promote joint stability as we target key joint stabilizing muscles in every plane of motion
We hope every pregnant person finds a form of exercise and physical activity that helps them to feel the most supported! And if you find it with The Studio, we can't wait to support you on your journey!