From our experience, it is recommended that pregnant women walk approximately 3000 - 4000 steps per day, which is around a mile and a half, and that this should be walked every other day through-out pregnancy, as your body allows. '
For most pregnant women, brisk walking during pregnancy is safe and carries no risk to you or your baby .
1. Is Walking During Pregnancy OK? Walking is a great way to exercise when pregnant and can be performed no matter what your fitness level is.
For most pregnant women, at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise is recommended on most, if not all, days of the week. Walking is a great exercise for beginners. It provides moderate aerobic conditioning with minimal stress on your joints.
Keep up your normal daily physical activity or exercise (sport, running, yoga, dancing, or even walking to the shops and back) for as long as you feel comfortable. Exercise is not dangerous for your baby. There is evidence that active women are less likely to experience problems in later pregnancy and labour.
Walking during pregnancy: Reduces the risk of complications during pregnancy and delivery. Studies show that women who exercise regularly have a lower risk of developing gestational diabetes or having unplanned cesarean sections. Helps you burn calories so you keep your weight in check.
But it's important to be aware of symptoms of overexertion in pregnancy and make sure you aren't overdoing it. Overheating is one risk, and symptoms like dizziness, a headache, or chest pain while working out can signal a health problem or pregnancy complication.
Taking walks during active labor (breaking for contractions) can help ease the intensity of labor and can help keep your labor progressing by moving your pelvic bones, which helps position baby appropriately for (potentially) a shorter and easier overall birth.
It's recommended that you do 150 minutes of exercise while pregnant. You could start off with just 10 minutes of daily exercise - perhaps take a brisk walk outside.
What does 10,000 steps look like? Ten thousand steps equates to about eight kilometres, or an hour and 40 minutes walking, depending on your stride length and walking speed. But that doesn't mean you have to do it all in one walk.
Experts agree these exercises are safest for pregnant women: Walking—Brisk walking gives a total body workout and is easy on the joints and muscles. Swimming and water workouts—Water workouts use many of the body's muscles. The water supports your weight so you avoid injury and muscle strain.
Fatigue. Extreme fatigue is very common in the first trimester of pregnancy. "Your metabolic rate—the amount of energy you burn just to exist—is way above normal then," explains Dr. Kane Low.
To achieve and maintain a reasonable level of fitness aim for one of the following: a session of moderate-intensity exercise on all or most days of the week. at least 150 minutes of exercise over a week. 10,000 steps per day.
Your Goal: Toward the end of the trimester, try walking 15-30 minutes a day, four to five days a week. If you are beginning this program in your third trimester, start by walking 10 minutes a day, four to five days a week.
When you walk, and just about 30 minutes at a time is all you need, the baby will begin to move down into the birth canal. This may cause your water to break and get the contractions started. Make sure you don't overdo it even though you are anxious to give birth.
Sleep should never be seen as a luxury. It's a necessity — especially when you're pregnant. In fact, women who are pregnant need a few more hours of sleep each night or should supplement nighttime sleep with naps during the day, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Even in your third trimester of pregnancy, bending is still considered safe for your baby. You'll probably find it becomes increasingly difficult for you, though, if not impossible. Apart from your extra body weight, the size of your belly is increasing.
If you are pregnant and working, you may want to reduce or avoid: Stooping, bending, or squatting often. Lifting heavy objects from the floor or any location that requires you to bend or reach. Lifting overhead or reaching.
Walking is a great workout for any point in pregnancy, and it's considered a safe exercise for most pregnant people (just check in with a health care provider if you're unsure).
Try to avoid sitting in the same position for more than 30 minutes. At work, adjust your chair height and workstation so you can sit up close to your work and tilt it up at you. Rest your elbows and arms on your chair or desk, keeping your shoulders relaxed.
Standing for prolonged periods while pregnant can not only be dangerous, but it can also be difficult or painful. It is recommended that pregnant women stand for no more than four or five hours while taking frequent breaks throughout the workday.
After six weeks of cardio, the fitness routine should change to interval training: 20 minutes of cardio, followed by muscle work of 16 to 20 reps light weightlifting, then switching back and forth between cardio and weightlifting for the duration of the workout," he said.
Many women find that 34-36 weeks of pregnancy is an ideal time to start parental leave. So, if you want to start parental leave at 36 weeks, you need to tell your employer about your plans by the time you're 26 weeks pregnant.
Studies showed physical inactivity during pregnancy can cause maternal obesity and creates a higher risk for preterm birth, emergency cesarean delivery and preeclampsia.