We should all exercise daily whether we are pregnant or not. Doctors say exercising is good for both the pregnant woman and baby. Pictured above is rapper Cardi B “twerking” while performing onstage during day 3 of Coachella music festival in Indio, CA. Cardi is reportedly 8 months pregnant.
Doctors say dancing is excellent cardio exercise for expectant mother and fetus. Dancing involves multiple muscle groups, increases glucose to the muscles, and gets the blood flowing so the fetus receives more oxygen and nutrition (that is, if the mother is on a healthy diet and is drug-free).
One of the more trendy exercises for pregnant women that was all the rage a few years ago was Zumba, a dance-based routine that allowed for adjustments for pregnant women.
Before you do any exercise routine you should always consult your doctor or nurse practitioner — especially if you have a high-risk pregnancy (over age 32; gestational diabetes, etc.). Dancing or any cardio exercise is considered dangerous in high-risk pregnancies. Your doctor may suggest a low-energy exercise such as walking; low altitude hiking; low-impact aerobic classes; swimming; step aerobics, etc.
The following are tips from Whattoexpect.com for pregnant women who are considering exercising after consulting with your doctor or health practitioner.
The important things to remember are to pace yourself (don’t overexert yourself); and watch your breathing (stop if you are out of breath while exercising)
Do drink plenty of water before, during, and after you exercise, and wear comfortable, breathable clothes. The music and moves in Zumba class might be sizzling, but overheating isn’t good for you or your baby during pregnancy.
Don’t dance so vigorously that you can’t sing along to the music. If you’re breathing so heavily in Zumba class that you can hardly harmonize or are unable to even chat with a classmate, you’re working too hard — and depriving the baby of oxygen. Slow down and reduce the intensity of those dance moves.
Do go low-impact, especially as your pregnancy progresses. Keeping one foot on the floor at all times (marching instead of jumping, stepping instead of leaping) is easier on your newly bulky body. Cutting back on arm movements will also help you keep your heart rate lower — and keep you from overexerting yourself.
Don’t forget that pregnancy affects your balance (that big belly again) and your joints (you can thank pregnancy hormones for relaxing your ligaments). So quick transitions, twists, and turns can be tricky. Take care with these types of moves and modify them if you need to.
Photos by Kevin Winter / Getty Images, Peathegee Inc / Getty Images
