Dieting is not the only essential need during pregnancy; there are other factors that ensure a healthy pregnancy. According to Dr Ojajune, exercise and rest are important aspects during the pregnancy period because they help the mother and child stay healthy throughout that period.
“You should engage yourself in daily exercise, not strenuous ones; like taking walks and also getting involved in your normal activities; it helps you stay healthy because it is good for you and the baby. Generally, a healthy lifestyle is having adequate rest and good sleep. Maintain a good diet, take your medication, attend antenatal and eat enough fruits as well because they are all important and cannot be overemphasised,” he said.
“Pregnancy is the ideal time to start an exercise programme even if you’ve never really exercised before,” according to a John Hopkins report, published on hopkinsmedicine.org. The report recommended that pregnant women exercise moderately for approximately 150 minutes per week or 30 minutes per day, five days a week.
1. EXERCISE
Walking: Walking is an easy way to exercise. It helps build stamina, makes your heart healthier and it is also not strenuous for a pregnant woman.
YOGA: Yoga is a great exercise for pregnant women to engage in as it is beneficial for their physical and mental health. “However, hot yoga is not recommended because you should always stay cool and hydrated while pregnant,” the John Hopkins report says.
GYM WATER WORKOUT: Light workouts help keep your heart rate up. Reports also have it that swimming also supports the weight of the baby.
These exercises help you stay active during the pregnancy period however, it is important to discuss it with your doctor before engaging in any kind of exercise.
DANCE: Dance is a form of exercise that a pregnant woman can do. It involves the whole body and it is fun to do. It is good for your heart and makes you have good coordination and balance which is essential during pregnancy.
Generally, exercise reduces constipation, bloating, backaches, and swelling, especially swelling of the feet. It also helps shorten labour during delivery. Because sleep is also important at this time, exercise helps you sleep better.
2. SLEEP AND REST WELL
Sleep is very important to everyone’s well-being and health regardless of the situation they are in. However, sleep becomes more important when a woman is pregnant. “Rest and good sleep are very important during the pregnancy period. Adequate rest is a vital issue during this time. You should not engage in strenuous activities because you could trigger some complications for the baby. It is important to reduce the activities you engage in as the pregnancy progresses,” Dr Ojajune said.
A 2017 report by Amy Maxmen, Insomnia linked to premature birth in study of 3 million mothers | Nature said women with sleep disorders were twice as likely to deliver their babies more than six weeks earlier than their due dates. It said an analysis of almost 3 million medical records of pregnant women in California suggests that better sleep could address premature delivery.
“… An analysis of medical records from almost 3 million pregnant women in California suggests that a surprisingly simple intervention –better sleep- might help to address the issue. Researchers found that women who had been diagnosed with insomnia or sleep apnea were about twice as likely as women without a sleep disorder to deliver their babies more than six weeks early.”
Doctors recommend that pregnant women sleep for eight to 10 hours per night. Though as the pregnancy progresses, different issues like heartburn, constipation, bloating and the like may arise between sleep time, it is, however, important to plan and cover for the lost time. A short daytime nap would help in covering for troubled times.
3. MAKE YOURSELF HAPPY
Pregnancy comes with a lot that if care is not taken can take a toll on the mental well-being of the woman. First-time mothers are vulnerable to loneliness, primarily due to their expectations of pregnancy. The body goes through several changes from the first trimester to the third trimester and the time of delivery. It is important at this point that adequate attention is given to her mental health and all the support she can get from family, especially her spouse, as her body goes through these changes.
The goal from now on till the time of delivery is to ensure an all-round safety of mother and child. This could come in different forms. To avoid being overwhelmed with the changes the body is going through, it is important to practice mindful meditation. Reflect on the blessing that comes with a newborn. Also, spend time doing what you love and with your family.
Take each day as it comes. This helps to deal with the situation or body changes at that time. Your happiness takes the centre stage at this point. Always speak with your doctor or midwife about how you feel. Practice journaling. This helps you track your journey throughout the three trimesters and is a good point of reflection when your baby arrives.
4. HAVE SEX
There are several myths surrounding sex during pregnancy. However, doctors have said there is nothing wrong with having sex at any point during pregnancy unless there are medical concerns. Having sex will not in any way hurt the foetus or the baby.
Though it is normal for your sex drive to fluctuate during this time because of the hormonal changes the body is going through. “Sex has no effect on pregnancy. You can have sex at any point in time with your husband or partner,” according to Dr Ojajune.
“At some point, sex aids the birth canal; it also helps the woman feel important and wanted by her partner, which dispels the thought that her husband is staying away from her because she is pregnant. So, sex is still OK during pregnancy,” he added.
“It is perfectly safe to have sex during pregnancy unless your doctor or midwife has told you not to,” an article on the NHS website stated.
“Having sex will not hurt your baby. A penis or penetrative sex toy cannot penetrate beyond the vagina and the baby cannot tell what is going on.”
According to the NHS, if your pregnancy is normal and has no complications, having sex and orgasm won’t increase your risk of going into labour early or causing a miscarriage.
Because of the changes the body is going through, you may find sex boring or enjoyable during this time. Therefore, it becomes imperative to communicate how you feel with your partner. You can also find other means to connect and be loving to your partner during this time. In all of it, always communicate your concerns to your doctor or midwife while you maintain a healthy lifestyle.
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