This article is about the exercise precautions that should be taken by pregnant women and some tips to help them manage in their gestational period.
A pregnant woman experiences a lot of hormonal changes and these hormones can many times stop the body from registering the insulin. This may result in gestational diabetes.
A daily exercise regimen is a vital part of any pregnancy. Exercising daily helps the woman by reducing the stress, easier dealing with the hormonal changes and also makes them feel better. Regular exercise is a must for women who are experiencing gestational diabetes or are at a risk of developing it. Exercise allows the body to use less insulin and also keeps the sugar level in the normal range.
The pregnant woman should talk to their physician before starting a new exercise routine. These women should start slowly if they didn’t have an active lifestyle before getting pregnant. Frequent exercises (4 to 5 days in a week) help in lowering the blood glucose levels.
Any exercise period should contain warm-up and cool-down periods. The exercises include slow aerobics, jogging, vigorous walking, easy stretches and also yoga.
The exercises should be performed after taking size and flexibility into consideration. Women shouldn’t exercise if they feel faintness, dizziness, pain or palpitations. Dehydration should be avoided as the fetus and the mother need proper body fluids. Plenty of water should be drunk before, during and after an exercise regimen.
If the doctor has advised any pregnant women to take insulin to control the blood glucose levels, then precautions should be taken as exercise and insulin can lower the glucose levels too much and might even lead to hypoglycemia (abnormally low glucose levels).
If low sugar is felt, then sugar candies can be sucked or eaten which can help in the glucose levels (and taste levels) of the body. Fruits and starch can be eaten for avoiding hypoglycemia during activities.
