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Why fitBumps
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The words ‘pregnancy’ and ‘exercise’ have long been two words with few associations. Fast-forward to the present and you will quickly see the approach to exercising during pregnancy has transformed into one of necessity. Thorough (and ongoing) research on the issue has revealed extraordinary exercise benefits from cardiovascular exercise and resistance training for the pregnant woman, the baby, labour and delivery and postnatal recovery.
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The benefits for the mother are numerous
Research has shown during labour, women who exercise will see a
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35 percent decrease in the need for pain relief
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75% decrease in the incidence of maternal exhaustion
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50 percent decrease in the need to artificially break waters
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50% less likely to be induced and require intervention in labour (due to a lower incidence of fetal heart abnormalities)
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55% decrease in the need for an episiotomy and finally a 75% decrease in the need for forceps deliveries and caesarean sections
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Regular exercise has been observed to shorten labour by a third
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limited fat deposition and a reduction in weight gain during pregnancy
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Maternal discomforts including back pain and pelvic pain are also reduced
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Women who exercise experience sickness less due to a better functioning immune system
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Such women will also enjoy an increase in maternal fitness capacity and a higher sense of well being and a more positive body image
Simply put, exercising during pregnancy is safe and effective and carries with it incredible benefits to both mother and baby.
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