What Exercises Are Safe during Pregnancy?
As the baby develops in the womb, the abdomen of the expectant mother progressively bulges forward. The increasing load in the abdomen creates tension in the muscles of the back and the waist. It is this tension that is responsible for the usual bolt upright appearance. To enable the mother to carry the additional weight without strain, it is necessary to strengthen these muscles.
The cartilage between the bones in the joints and the tendons attaching the muscles to the bones tend to soften after the delivery. Strengthening the muscles will help to maintain the elasticity and strength of these connective tissues, and minimize the softening. Exercises have been devised to strengthen the muscles that are involved, thus reducing the possibility of the consequent pain. Some exercises are safe during pregnancy for toning up the muscles of the abdomen; back and waist are described here.
The mother-to-be must start performing these exercises just as soon as she learns that she is pregnant. She would of course be well advised to observe moderation in the matter, should not be such as to cause undue fatigue. The benefits of these exercises will become apparent in the later stages of pregnancy when the abdomen begins to sag forward.
