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What is the first trimester?

Are you pregnant and feeling tired? Do you have difficulty breathing or have swelling? Do you suffer from back pain or mood swings?

It is very common for pregnant women to experience certain symptoms that can affect their quality of life. Exercise is one way to maintain good mental and physical health during and after pregnancy.

First trimester of pregnancy: symptoms

Fatigue

Extreme fatigue is a common symptom in early pregnancy. Your body is working hard to adapt to all the new physical changes. This can cause extreme fatigue.

You may be able to sleep longer nights than usual. If possible, you can take short naps during the day as well.

Morning Sickness

Morning sickness consists of nausea and vomiting caused by pregnancy hormones. Morning sickness, contrary to its name, can occur at any time of the day.

There are over the counter vitamins and herbal remedies that can help relieve morning sickness. For example, ginger can help relieve nausea. Avoid having an empty stomach to help decrease nausea.

Emotional Symptoms

Your hormones are in overload during pregnancy. You may often feel out of sort and forgetful or be unable to concentrate. Fatigue and stress can increase these symptoms..

Conseils pour la santé des femmes enceintes au premier trimestre et les Symptômes émotionnels avec Kinatex Sports Physio, Québec et Ontario

First trimester of pregnancy : exercises

Why do exercises? How can they help you?

There are many health benefits to exercising during the first trimester of pregnancy. Here are a few:

  • Sleep better.
  • Improve mood and reduce stress.
  • Maintain weight before and after childbirth.
  • Reduce the chances of caesarean section and premature birth.
  • Reduce the risk of type II diabetes for your baby.

How do you know if you are exerting too much energy during exercise?

You can avoid overexertion during exercise by practicing the “talk test.” This means that if you can still carry on a conversation fluently during exercise, you are not overexerting yourself. In general, pregnant women should aim to perform low impact, moderate intensity exercises that cause light sweating and a slight increase in heart rate.

Conseils pour la santé des femmes enceintes au premier trimestre et trop d'efforts avec Kinatex Sports Physio, Québec et Ontario

Here are some tips on how to exercise safely during the first trimester:

  • Stay hydrated.
  • Stay cool and wear loose clothing.
  • Wear well-fitting, non-slip shoes that provide good support.
  • Recognize when to exercise less often or reduce intensity.
  • Set realistic goals and try to stick to them.
  • Remember to breathe and be aware of heart rate during workouts.

If you feel tired or weak, it is important that you stop and rest immediately.

What should you avoid as exercises during the first trimester?

To prevent complications, pregnancy women should avoid:

  • High impact exercises.
  • Contact sports.
  • Exercises with high risk of falling, such as gymnastics or aerial sports.
  • High intensity exercises that increase heart rate and breathing to such an extent that it is difficult to speak.
  • Exercises that exert pressure on the pelvis and torso, such as horseback riding.
  • Exercises or environments that increase the risk of heat stroke.

Can exercising in early pregnancy cause miscarriage?

Research shows that women who were active before pregnancy, but stopped when they became pregnant, had longer labor times and more interventions during labor than those who continued to exercise until the end of their pregnancy. According to research, exercise does not cause miscarriage and women who exercise have been shown to have reduced risk of preterm labor.

Some women worry that their baby will be shaken while they exercise, but this is not the case. Your baby is safe in your womb and may even find the movement relaxing.

It is important to remember that every pregnant woman should speak to their doctor before starting any new exercises or workout routines. To support you during your pregnancy, we also have a team of health professionals who are available to help you at all stages of your pregnancy. This team includes physiotherapists who can help with pelvic floor rehabilitation, massage therapists who are certified to massage pregnant women, osteopaths, and acupuncturists.

References

[:fr]https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/pregnancy-and-exercise/art-20046896 https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/exercise-during-pregnancy https://www.webmd.com/baby/exercise-during-pregnancy[:]

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