Changes, effects and contraindications of exercise in pregnancy

Physical changes during pregnancy can do to change your exercise habits

* Breathing: The breathing rate increases, since the body works harder to provide enough oxygen to the baby. Thus, the amount of oxygen available for exercise decreases and can cause shortness of breath and less endurance.
* Musculature: As the abdomen expands to make room for the baby, the lower back is curved and the center of gravity changes of place. This can cause falls, and that the sense of balance is very upset. Thanks to the hormone relaxin, the ligaments are not as tense, leading to sprains and falls. This hormone will allow your pelvis to make greater, facilitating the passage of the baby.
* Metabolism: During pregnancy, your body uses carbohydrates more quickly, in the same way that physical exercise. This can cause low blood sugar during exercise.
* Cardiovascular: Blood volume increases by 40% and about 15 more beats per minute. Thus, nutrients and oxygen are transported to the baby better. But as the load is greater, for example being a long time lying on her back, the flow can be interrupted and cause dizziness.

Effects of exercise that can affect pregnancy

* Cardiovascular: When you exercise, blood is routed to the internal organs to the muscles, lungs and heart, so that they receive more oxygen. Strenuous exercise can cause a lack of oxygen in the uterus, which can cause problems in the baby.
* Neurotransmitters: During the year generated a number of chemicals that reduce depression and make the person feel better. One of the agents increases neurotransmitter produced contraction of the muscles and can cause uterine activity. Not known to induce labor, but in women with certain risk or sensitive, we recommend very gentle exercises.
* Body temperature: Exercise increases body temperature. Due to the risk of malformation due to high fever in the first trimester of pregnancy, it is preferable not to play sports (or take many precautions) when the air temperature is very high. In any case, remember to always drink plenty of fluids.

Complications of pregnancy which may affect the practice of the year

* Anemia: The transport capacity of oxygen in the blood is impaired, so it is likely to be short of breath, and fatigue and dizziness occur. Women with anemia who want to continue with the exercise should take a diet rich in iron, together with vitamin C to increase absorption and possibly a supplement if your doctor has prescribed.
* Contractions: Some women experience cramping during your pregnancy. Although not always imply an early delivery, yes that can increase the risk. If you're one of those women, you should not exercise very hard, but it is preferable to choose softer exercises like yoga, stretching, mild exercise or swimming instead of running, aerobics or dancing.
* Back pain and sciatica: pain is quite common because the distribution of the weight of your body varies and makes your position changes. Weight bearing exercise can increase it and make the ligaments suffer. Again, it is suggested exercises softer, especially swimming for their benefits back.

Contraindications to Exercise During Pregnancy

* Hypertension: Women who have high blood pressure can benefit from regular exercise, but those who develop it during pregnancy should stop practicing. Toxemia, or high blood pressure because of pregnancy, is a major problem in the bloodstream that exercise may aggravate. Check with your doctor about your particular situation.
* Placenta previa or vaginal bleeding: Placenta previa occurs when the placenta grows from the bottom of the uterus and close the opening of the cervix. It can cause vaginal bleeding. It is preferable not to exercise, unless the doctor tells which are right.
* Previous preterm delivery: In cases of previous births before 36 weeks, you should be extremely cautious about exercising during the third trimester of pregnancy. The most suitable are stretching, yoga and soft gymnastics, and walking.
* Intrauterine growth retardation: It is possible that the baby is not growing at a pace that should by low oxygen supply, although there are other causes, such as smoking, drug use, infections and poor blood supply to the placenta . As the exercise gets the blood, and with it the oxygen are diverted to other parts of the body, it is preferable to limit its intensity as the baby can be seriously affected.
* Multiple Pregnancy: Due to the particular risk of such pregnancies, we recommend very gentle exercises such as yoga, swimming, light stretching and gymnastics relaxed.
* Heart problems: Since the amount of blood pumped by the heart is increased by 40%, and physical exercise increases the heart rate, it should only be done under the supervision of a cardiologist or specialist physician.
* Whenever there is vaginal bleeding, have vision loss during exercise (a symptom of preeclampsia), nausea, dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath, palpitations, swelling of the hands, feet or ankles, or a sudden change in temperature , rest and check with your doctor or midwife.