Top Ten Sports Recommended for Pregnant Women

Being pregnant is a complicated and tough time mentally and physically. The body of a future mother is going through hormonal changes. To ask someone to exercise may not always get a positive response. But sitting in front of a television and not moving could cause complications with the legs and back.

On the other hand, the benefits of exercising and physical activities like sports are quite obvious for pregnant women. It is important however, that before undertaking these activities, she should ask a licensed physician and get pre-approved in order to avoid any potential health risks.

With proper care, supervision and a well developed plan, pregnant ladies can enjoy any of the following sports exclusively recommended for pregnant women:

1. Walking & Jogging
2. Pilates
3. Gardening
4. Swimming
5. Aerobics
6. Yoga
7. Golf
8. Dance
9. Bicycling
10. Stair Climbing Machines

When Sports Are Not Recommended for Pregnat Women

Obviously, all sports are not for the pregnant, consequently, there are some sports such as horseback riding, softball and basketball that are definitely out of the list as it involves vigorous exercise which may put mother and baby both in danger.

There is also the case of very few women who are advised by the doctor to go for complete bed rest to avoid complications such as abortion or miscarriage. And that includes not practicing the lightest and the safest of sports. The circumstances will depend on the medical condition diagnosed by the health practitioner. In an even smaller number of cases, a patient prescribed with total bed rest will require hospitalization.

When bed rest is followed too religiously based on urban myth, and without proper supervision, chances are that the pregnant woman might do more harm to herself than good.

When to Plan Sports

Plan of the activity could very much depend upon the personal choice. Time of exercise could be anywhere during the day and time she is comfortable with. And yes, there is no option of not exercising.

A good exercise plan should include many sports and activities that she likes. Taking the kids or dog for a walk is helpful. For five days a week thirty minute of exercise could work wonders for a pregnant woman.

Swimming is another option she may look for as she won’t feel too heavy as a result of any pressure on the joints. Plus, it has great cardiovascular benefits. One recommendation about swimming: it is better to stay in the shallow side and not to dive.

Golf could be an excellent choice too, especially if she likes it. Golf is a healthy exercise, but as any other exercise at this time, one should keep it in moderation. So a small game of Golf, with plenty of fluids should give her the chance to catch up with friends. But during this time a good support to her belly must be worn. As always, when the future mother gets tired or feels it is time to rest, she should take a break instead of over exerting.

Yoga and breathing exercises will give her the soothing pleasure, and the much needed time to take stress out of her complicated days.

And don’t forget that it’s always a good idea to know where most of the pregnant ladies are exercising. Contact the local pregnant women, especially the ones due around the same Estimated Day of Delivery (EDD). The starting point could be the nearest hospital. It’s better to involve the husband in such activities. However, this is not always possible. So having a pal around not only ensures that the pregnant woman gets healthy by exercising, but she will have added emotional support.

Enjoy the sports, especially if you are pregnant.