Maternity Fashion: The Importance Of Exercise

We all know how important it is to stay healthy and fit during our everyday lives, but its even more important while pregnant. During pregnancy it is essential to eat healthily and keep fit, to ensure your baby devlops and grows as strong as possible.

Do you want a happier, more intelligent baby? Exercise might help!

Your baby and you are linked through the placenta. Anything that affects your circulation will also affect your baby's.

Exercise will improve and increase your body's circulation, which will help varicose veins, swelling, cramps and constipation, as well as provide your baby with more oxygen and nutrients to help them grow.
Pregnancy can lead to many aches and pains, as well as bad posture. Carrying this extra weight alters your center of gravity. To avoid back aches and to improve your posture, strengthen your abdominal and back muscles. Yoga and Pilates are great low impact strengthening exercises.

We all go through some crazy hormonal changes while pregnant, which can lead to depression and mood swings. Regular exercise is a great way to get those feel-good endorphins released. Not only will you feel more positive and happy, but you will look great as well!

You can also reduce your risk of miscarriage by 40% according to studies, through regular exercise.

This doesn't mean you need to sign up to a gym. Even doing regular activities like housework, walking or playing with small children are all activities that keep you active.
Exercise also can control and prevent pregnancy-related high blood pressure, improves your cardiovascular system and stamina (import during labour!) and makes for a healthier placenta. This is important for your baby as the placenta acts as his/her lungs, kidneys and liver while growing in your belly.

And finally, research indicates that babies born from mothers who exercised were:

* More alert and less fussy a few days after birth.
* Stayed leaner during the first 5 years.

So give your baby a head start in life. Keep fit and healthy during your pregnancy!