Dr Anna Rolleston The Cardiac Clinic

Everyone has a heart, be they young, old, fit, unfit, healthy or otherwise.

Everyone is also recommended to exercise, so I get the pleasure of meeting lots of people keen to look after their hearts by living life in a heart healthy manner.

Of late I have been spending time with a population of people who are not my usual clientele; expectant mothers! Pregnancy is a time of change and exercise goals and practices need to change too. Here are some reasons to exercise while pregnant, courtesy of my colleague Emily.

Exercise can help you to adjust to your changing body
A growing belly and changing hormones that affect joint stability can cause aches and pains. Improved core strength assists in supporting the back and pelvis to carry the baby and strengthening and gentle stretching exercises can prevent muscles from becoming too tight or weak. Strengthened muscles and a well-functioning cardiovascular system will give you endurance to accomplish daily tasks with less effort. Regular exercise also improves circulation (which helps prevent swollen ankles, leg cramps, and varicose veins) and reduces the risk of developing pregnancy-induced high blood pressure.

Exercise helps prepare you for childbirth
Labour has been likened to running a marathon; requiring stamina, determination and focus.
Imagine turning up to run the race without doing any training. Increasing your fitness throughout your pregnancy and being prepared for childbirth will not decrease the pain, but it will definitely help give you the endurance required.

Increased endurance capacity can prevent early fatigue in a lengthy labour, potentially shorten labour and reduce the chance of needing medical intervention. Increased fitness levels will also assist in your recovery and healing time after birth. Exercise can influence how much weight you put on and how quickly you lose it after birth.

Although gaining weight is normal during pregnancy, gaining too much makes it harder to lose the weight after the baby is born and puts extra stress on how your body functions while you are pregnant. By gaining or maintaining fitness during pregnancy, you are less likely to gain excess weight and it is much easier to regain your pre-pregnancy shape.

Exercise can assist in improving your mental health Exercise is great for improving your mood, self-esteem and confidence not only during pregnancy but also so that you are confident and have the focus to cope with childbirth.