Some people think that exercising during pregnancy is unsafe and that it could harm the baby. Yet you may want to continue your regular workouts during pregnancy. There are many myths and rumors surrounding exercise during pregnancy. Heart rate is a helpful tool in giving pregnant women the ability to monitor their baby's safety during exercise.
Exercise Benefits
Not only can exercise be safe during pregnancy, but there are also several benefits to it. The website Childbirth states that exercising during pregnancy makes labor easier. You may also experience labor for a shorter period of time if you exercise during pregnancy. Working out while pregnant can also make the baby have a stronger fetal heart rate, according to Childbirth.
Types of Exercise
You can do many different types of exercise safely during pregnancy. You can cycle, swim, lift light weights and even jog. According to Childbirth, pregnant women simply need to avoid exercising in very hot weather. In addition, jogging and jumping should be avoided during the third trimester. Exercises without bouncing motions, such as swimming, can be done all the way until the end of the pregnancy.
Exercise Risks
The main risks associated with exercise during pregnancy involve dehydration. The Mayo Clinic states that if the temperature is too hot, it is easy to become dehydrated or overheated. Working out in a cool environment and drinking plenty of water during a workout can help reduce these risks. Additionally, you may have breathing difficulties with exercise since the baby can sit so close to the lungs, but as long as you do moderate and not high-intensity exercise, you and the baby should be fine.
Recommended Heart Rate
According to Dr. Roger Harms of the Mayo Clinic, if you exercised regularly before you got pregnant, then you don't need to be concerned about monitoring your heart rate during exercise. He explains that the old recommendation for exercising during pregnancy was to keep the heart rate at less than 140 beats per minute, but now there is no specific recommendation for a heart rate during exercise for pregnant women.
Heart Rate Monitors
While heart rate monitors are not necessary for all women during pregnancy, they can still be used if you are concerned or curious. If your heart rate exceeds 140 beats per minute while pregnant, you should consider reducing the intensity or taking a break. This heart rate may be acceptable for some women, but it is safe and still healthy to work out at a lower intensity.
