We all know the benefits of exercising but during pregnancy is probably one of the most important times to jump on it! Here are 5 great reasons to get moving now!
- Evidence has shown that exercise helps to develop and maintain muscular strength, flexibility and fitness to carry a pregnancy.
- Exercise prepares your body for the demands of labour and birth.
- Exercise improves and maintains overall body strength to improve posture and ease back and joint pain.
- Exercise improves circulation and sleep; you have more energy and feel better about your body during a physically and emotionally demanding time in your life.
- Research has shown that exercise can reduce the incidence of gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia.
Combine cardiovascular exercise such as walking, running, swimming, with weight training and you will definitely reap the rewards, including a faster post birth recovery.
Need a great pregnancy exercise program you can participate in when and where it suits you? Why not enrol in our Healthy Pregnancy Course which includes safe exercises adapted to each trimester of your pregnancy.
Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider before engaging in an exercise program.
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Gestational Diabetes: Causes, Risks, Symptoms
Gestational diabetes mellitus – also known as GDM, is diabetes which can occur during pregnancy. Many women who’ve been diagnosed with GDM won’t have diabetes after their baby is born, though some continue to have high levels of blood glucose and need treatment. Most women who are diagnosed with GDM have a normal pregnancy, labour and baby. It’s important that GDM is monitored and controlled, because risk factors increase when blood sugar levels remain high.
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Breastfeeding and caffeine - what's OK?
Many of us enjoy a cup of coffee or two a day and would find it difficult to give up. The good news is that even breastfeeding mothers can continue to drink coffee, or tea in moderation.
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How to Safely Wrap a Baby
With a newborn comes many new skills to learn – one of them being how to safely wrap a baby. Wrapping (also known as swaddling) is a great strategy for parents to help their baby settle. Yet, new parents may understandably feel worried about their baby’s safety and getting it right. Read on for step-by-step guidelines on how to safely wrap a baby, plus some additional tips for safe wrapping.
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Introducing Your New Baby to Your Toddler
One small person in a family is a very different arrangement than two, or more children. When a new baby comes into the mix, dynamics change and everyone needs to shuffle around until new positions are found.
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Bottle Propping - Why it's a Risk
Many parents have heard of bottle propping, also known as prop feeding. And most of us have seen babies sucking quietly away on their own.
Bottle propping is when, instead of the baby being held to drink their bottle, they are on their own. The bottle is supported by a pillow or blanket, even a soft toy so that it’s angled with the milk filling the neck of the bottle and the teat. The baby lies in their cot/pram/on the floor sucking away on their own.
Gestational Diabetes: Causes, Risks, Symptoms
Breastfeeding and caffeine - what's OK?
How to Safely Wrap a Baby
Introducing Your New Baby to Your Toddler
Bottle Propping - Why it's a Risk
