Why Hire A Personal Trainer Before, During or After Pregnancy?
Pregnancy can be an emotional rollercoaster ride. It is an exciting time and new life adventure for any woman regardless if it is your first time or if you’ve experienced multiple pregnancies. No two pregnancies are ever the same!
It is important to be aware of the physical, social and emotional changes that a woman experiences during and after pregnancy. Being prepared and educated will help you accept your changing body and give you the right tools to deal with your emotions.
Labour is not something that happens to the woman – It is something the woman does! And it requires great physical and mental stamina, strength and awareness. You want the best for you and your baby, so knowledge is key! Pregnancy presents the perfect opportunity for you to do a “reality health check” about your everyday lifestyle and health habits. It’s time to dispel some of the myths. A healthy pregnant woman certainly does not need to be lying down with her feet up anymore. Moderate exercise is very good for Mom and Baby. In fact, the benefits far outweigh the risks.
It helps to be in great shape before you get pregnant! However, it is important that you follow safe and healthy guidelines when it comes to exercise and pregnancy.
That is where a Personal Trainer specializing in Pre & Post Natal Fitness comes into play. I will work along with your family doctor to develop the best exercise prescription for you!
A PERSONAL TRAINER HAS MANY ROLES:
TEACHER who educates you on what to expect throughout your pregnancy and will provide a unique and tailored program to help alleviate your pregnancy symptoms or discomforts.
COACH who will be there to motivate you through each trimester to maintain and/or improve your fitness.
ADVISOR who will give you strategies and techniques that follow strict guidelines put into place by the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) and Health Canada.
SUPERVISOR to keep you focused throughout the program and help you to remain consistent.
SUPPORTER who recognizes your accomplishments and celebrates your successes!
BENEFITS OF EXERCISE FOR MOM
Helps facilitate labour, giving endurance and strength needed for delivery.
Strengthening exercises improves muscular posture, core strength and balance. It will make your everyday activities much easier!
Promotes healthy weight gain during pregnancy. Mom will feel more toned and will be better equipped to accept her changing body. Research has shown that Pregnant Moms who exercised regularly gained approximately 8 lbs less during pregnancy and were able to take excess weight off easier in postpartum!
Assists with postpartum recovery. Moms have reported more rapid physical and emotional recovery when exercising regularly. Lower incidences of anxiety and post partum depression.
Helps prevent Gestational Diabetes.
Abdominal training helps facilitate the pushing stage of labour and aids in relieving lower back discomfort.
Upper body strength training helps Mom maintain correct posture and in postpartum to carry the baby and or baby equipment.
Lower body strength training helps alleviate the “pregnancy waddle walk” and promotes good circulation with lower incidences of varicose veins.
BENEFITS OF EXERCISE FOR BABY
Exercising slightly increases fetal heart rate and studies show that the fetus is better able to deal with any intermittent reductions in uterine blood flow and or oxygen delivery.
Reduced fetal stress during labour. Research has shown that babies of exercising Moms tolerated contractions better and did not seem as stressed during labour. There was adequate oxygen availability, lower acid in the blood and no meconium (fetal bowel movement) was found during labour.
RISKS TO BE AWARE OF WITH IMPROPER EXERCISE / MONITORING
Pregnant mothers have to be careful not to over-exercise or engage in any strenuous exercise for prolonged periods of time. Follow the guidelines set by your Personal Trainer and Family Doctor.
Chronic Fatigue – Trying to adjust to hormonal changes especially in the first trimester may require more sleep and so exercising while adapting to these changes could cause chronic fatigue. Listen to your body!
Acute Hyperthermia - Be careful not to overheat or exercise in hot or humid conditions. This will place thermal stress on the fetus.
Acute Hypoglycemia - Eat healthy meals regularly throughout the day to replenish glucose levels that may deplete when exercising (the baby’s main energy source). 300 extra calories per day!! And 500 extra calories per day for nursing mothers.
Musculoskeletal injury – The hormone Relaxin in particular can wreak havoc on a pregnant woman’s body. The growing uterus will displace organs in the body changing your total centre of gravity. Your joints will be more lax and will stretch leaving you more prone to injuries. You must be careful when exercising and stretching not to overdo it!
Strenuous exercise can reduce blood glucose availability to the fetus, directing it to the working muscles of the mother instead. Therefore it causes a fight between the baby and Mom’s working muscles for an energy source.
Strenuous exercise increases the risk for premature labour or may induce Braxton Hick’s contractions.
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As you can see, a Personal Trainer can create a safe and effective exercise program. Proper strength training can alleviate many of the major discomforts associated with pregnancy. The number one goal is the health and safety of both Mom and baby!
A Personal Trainer is educated about the safety guidelines and can monitor your exercise intensity and well-being. Why go it alone? Have your own support system who will bring mobile training right to you in the comfort of your own home!
Contact us now at [email protected] for your free consultation.
Monthly packages available.
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TESTIMONIAL:
I started working with Crystal on a custom exercise program during my first trimester. I wanted to stay active and alleviate some of the discomfort I had experienced in previous pregnancies. I wanted to be sure I was doing a program that was suitable for each stage of the pregnancy and fit my schedule. I love that Crystal works around my schedule and lifestyle and brings the workout to me! A great way for a working Mom with 2 children, to get a personalized program and motivation without having to leave the house or rearrange schedules. The flexibility is a must for me. The program she gave me has been great and I love the workout. I look forward to working with Crystal as the pregnancy progresses and after the baby is born to get me back in shape then as well. Thanks Crystal for all your support.
~Angela~
TESTIMONIAL:
I started working with Crystal on a custom exercise program during my first trimester. I wanted to stay active and alleviate some of the discomfort I had experienced in previous pregnancies. I wanted to be sure I was doing a program that was suitable for each stage of the pregnancy and fit my schedule. I love that Crystal works around my schedule and lifestyle and brings the workout to me! A great way for a working Mom with 2 children, to get a personalized program and motivation without having to leave the house or rearrange schedules. The flexibility is a must for me. The program she gave me has been great and I love the workout. I look forward to working with Crystal as the pregnancy progresses and after the baby is born to get me back in shape then as well. Thanks Crystal for all your support.
~Angela~